COMMONWEALTH ASSOCATION FOR
EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATION AND
MANAGEMENT
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
ISSN NO 23222322-0147
DECEMBER
2013
Incredible India: Issues and
Challenges
Excellence International Journal of Education and
Research (Multi- subject journal)
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
Incredible India: Issues and Challenges
BY
Dr. D. Hassan, Assistant Professor,
Department of Education, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Ongole Campus,
Ongole.
[email protected].
M. Nageswara Rao,
Principal, Manjeera College of Education, Hyderabad.
Abstract
India is creating miracles after miracles in the fields of science, technology, economics,
art, culture, literature, philosophy, spirituality and other branches of knowledge and learning. It
has taught the world lessons of compassion, non-violence and truth. This perpetual journey has
witnessed various phases of history. Certainly, the glory of India will grow for years to come
with same vigor. The success of India lies in its great enduring culture and tradition. The present
paper deals with India’s innumerable accomplishments, challenges ahead and vision 2020.
Introduction
India is a land with rich and diverse cultural heritage. It has a glorious past that can be
traced back to thousands of years. At present, it is in the midst of a remarkable growth phase.
Nineteenth century, it is said, was the best time to be a British and 20th century to be an
American. Indubitably, 21st century is the best period to be an Indian. We have made decent
progress in several areas over the years. We have a long list of world-class scientists, engineers,
journalists, soldiers, bureaucrats, politicians and doctors. We are building enormous bridges and
dams and launching satellites and rockets into space. Life expectancy is extended from 32 years
to 65 years. The world now expects India to be a major power of the 21st century.
Some interesting facts about India
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 291
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
The name `India’ has been originated from the River Indus, the valleys around which
were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as
the Sindhu.
The number system was invented by India. Aryabhatta was the scientist who invented the
digit zero.
The game of Chess was invented in India.
Algebra, trigonometry and calculus have been originated in India. The ‘place value
system’ and the ‘decimal system’ were developed in 100 BC in India.
India is the largest democracy and 6th largest country in the world
Sushruta is considered as the father of surgery. Over 2600 years ago, Sushruta and his
team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures,
urinary stones and also plastic surgery and brain surgeries and one of the most ancient
and living civilizations.
The World’s first university was established in Takshshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500
students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The of built in the 4th
century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
The largest employer in the world is the Indian railways employing more than 14 lakh
workers.
Literature Review:
A brief literature review has been presented which shows the study of India from
different viewpoints. According to Kumar (1995) India has joined the league of rich industrial
nations which have accorded top priority to the promotion of telecommunications (both basic
telephone systems and value-added services) as well as the new information technologies. The
economic policy of liberalization has resulted in a rush among multinationals to invest in the
Indian technology market. According to McDonald (2003), the cultural practices in India offer a
contrasting set of cultural meanings and political possibilities and each highlights the
complexities and contradictions of the globalization-nationalism nexus in contemporary India.
Bottelier (2007) advocated that India’s greatest source of economic strength- a dynamic and
relatively highly developed private corporate sector, an area where China lags, can be leveraged
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 292
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
more effectively for national development. Chakraborty, (2008) has studied the GDP trends of
India and he observes that the growth rate of real GDP is found to be co integrated with financial
depth. In an overall sense, economic growth has caused for development in India. Ghosh (2008)
in a study mentioned that larger public investment in human capital and infrastructure for states
with lower steady-state could improve overall growth performance and reduce regional
imbalances in India. Ongoing economic reforms that seem to have led to an increase in growth as
well as regional disparities of income need to be modified appropriately. Bhatt (2008) has delved
into trade policies of India. He measured India’s trade competitiveness and examined the role of
the exchange rate policy in trade competitiveness. The Indian government has made serious
efforts to reform trade policies to make exports more competitive. Koster and Rai (2008) found
that India is very much a service-based economy that facilitates small-scale firms. Given the
importance of high-quality entrepreneurship for economic development, it seems that increasing
the quality of entrepreneurship should be the main focus of policy measures.
Growth at the Tremendous Speed
Economic Revolution:
Indian economy shifted gears on a path of economic liberalization that began in the early
1990s. At present, India’s economy is growing at around 9 per cent a year. Place in the list of
world economies is shifting and two years ago its economy joined the world’s top 10. According
to a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs, within a decade it will surpass that of Italy,
France and the UK to become the fifth largest. The report said that if current trends persist, the
Indian economy will by mid-century will overtake that of the US as well, leaving it second only
to China. India’s economy is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. It is reflected very
easily, even in the world wide crisis of economic meltdown, our country is having a very
commanding and consistent GDP growth of around 7.5 percent The World Bank has also
projected 8 percent growth for our country in 2010, which will make it the fastest-growing
economy of the world.
GDP growth: India and other countries
Country
GDP ($ trillion) 2006
GDP ($ trillion) 2007
Percentage Growth
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 293
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
1
US
12.95
13.54
4.5
2
China
10.14
11.6
14.4 (highest)
3
India
4.23
4.72
11.6 (2nd Highest
Growth)
4
Japan
4.15
4.34
4.6
5
Germany
2.58
2.71
5.1
6
UK
2.14
2.27
5.7
7
France
1.95
2.04
4.5
8
Italy
1.80
1.88
4.4
9
Russia
1.73
1.90
9.8
10
Brazil
1.5
1.72
0.22
11
Spain
1.23
1.31
6.3
12
Canada
1.15
1.21
5.2
13
S. Korea
1.16
1.25
7.5
14
Mexico
1.18
1.24
5.6
15
Indonesia
0.96
1.05
8.9
16
Australia
0.68
0.73
7.1
Source: CIA-the world fact-book.
Information Technology Revolution:
IT Companies like: Infosys, TCS, Wipro that are the global brands today laid their
foundation in the mid-eighties. India’s information technology exports are expected to touch $60
billion by 2010. The industry has grown by more than 50 percent annually in the last decade. At
present Indian software is exported to more than 150 countries, and accounts for one-fifth of
global software development. IT revolution has unfolded enormous job opportunities to our
talented youths and helped to prevent brain-drain. It has exhibited that Indians too could succeed
in the most competitive global markets. Information and communication technologies have also
revolutionized the sharing of knowledge in various walks of life. Within five years, all
Government information in India will be available on the Internet. The 21st century has given the
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 294
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
Indian IT industry a brand icon that has widespread importance and recognition. This image is
based on the ability of Indian IT professionals to provide global solutions, business strategies,
investment markets and cost effective technologies. Worldwide economics may be a boon for
Indian offshore software companies. It is clearly reflected as Karnataka topped as the India’s top
destination for software exports by registering around 23 percent annual growth and achieving
Rs. 74,929 crore worth of IT and ITES exports during year ended March 2009.
Telecom Revolution:
The telecom revolution has brought India -the urban and the rural together. The setting up
of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the introduction of the WLL telephone system, the
opening up of basic telephone services to the private sector and the announcement of the new
ISP policy have changed the whole scenario in India. The auction of spectrum for 3G and
broadband wireless access (BWA) services are in pipeline. India is the fourth largest telecom
market in Asia after China, Japan and South Korea. The Indian telecom network is the eighth
largest in the world and the second largest among emerging economies.
Green Revolution:
Green Revolution was initiated by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan. It transforms India into a
food-surplus economy from a food-deficit economy. Due to this revolution India has become a
net exporter of food grains. Today, we can feel pride to proclaim that we are self reliant in the
production of food grains.
Challenges Ahead:
Our roads and bridges need to compete with the best in the world. Indian railways are
already putting up a good show. Our airports need an absolute makeover. However, a quarter of
all urban inhabitants live in slums; towns and cities face critical power, water, and infrastructure
shortages as well as a rapidly deteriorating environment. Urban vicinities are beleaguered by
poor local governance, inappropriate planning and poor finances. Millions of our fellow citizens
in rural and urban areas still struggle to find potable water every day. Estimates disclose that by
2020, India’s demand for water will exceed all sources of supply. We should understand the
importance of conserving water. Water conservation is the need of hour. There is also great need
to be self-sufficient in nuclear energy resources. We have to consider the appropriate use of nonExcellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 295
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
conventional sources of energy. Corruption is devouring our polity and society. Today, it is the
single most important reason for people losing faith in the effectiveness of our organism. This is
the biggest challenge to handle. India must give a better account of itself in the international
sports arena. The Olympics, World Cups and Asia Cups are other instruments of international
influence, so we must prepare to achieve at optimum level. Nearly half of our population consists
of women and yet they are deprived of equal rights in our male-dominated society. Women have
the right and must be given an equal share in power at all levels. India has the world’s largest
child development program. It is very shocking to note that every year 2.4 million children and
about 136,000 women die untimely in India. This is about one fifth of the global total. India still
has to face challenges in the field of education, both primary and secondary education and higher
specialized fields of study. Problems of unemployment, growing population, militancy, sectarian
violence are major causes of concern.
India Marching Ahead: 2020
The year 2020 is going to be a very significant year for India. Indian economy is
expected to become the third largest in the world. India will be after China and USA that time. In
last four years, the GDP growth in India has averaged 8 percent. It should be around 8.5 percent
on the average. The growth in the industrial sector should be about 9.9 percent, about 9.4 percent
in the services sector and 3.9 percent in the agricultural sector. The per capita income of India
may increase in 2020-21 to Rs. 82,000 at current prices. By 2020, in all the major towns and in
all big villages, every family will have a car. The population, more than 116 crores today, is
likely to increase to 140 crores by 2020-21. The production of cars, about 1.2 million per year
now, will become 6 million per year by 2020. There may be increase in our oil and gas
production. It is expected that by 2020, the retail business may touch $ 800 billion mark. Only 3
percent of the organized sector is at present in the retail business. By 2020 this figure will rise to
50 percent. After 2020 when the economy is further strengthened, unemployment will be
reduced sharply. Rising levels of education, employment and income will help stabilize India’s
internal security and social environment. We are pretty hopeful that 2010 will lay the foundation
for this beginning and show our generations next and the world the real strength of India.
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 296
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
ISSN 2322-0147
References
Kumar, Keval J. (1995). Telecommunications and new information technologies in India: Social
and cultural implications. International Communication Gazette, Vol. 54 (3), pp. 267-277.
McDonald, Ian. (2003). Hindu Nationalism, Cultural Spaces, and Bodily Practices in India.
American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 46 (11), pp. 1563-1576.
Bottelier, Pieter. (2007). India's Growth from China's Perspective. The Journal of Applied
Economic Research, Vol. 1 (1), pp. 119-138.
Chakraborty, Indrani. (2008). Does Financial Development Cause Economic Growth? The Case
of India. South Asia Economic Journal, Vol. 9, pp. 109-139.
Ghosh, Madhusudan. (2008). Economic Reforms, Growth and Regional Divergence in India.
The Journal of Applied Economic Research, Vol. 2 (3), pp. 265-285.
Bhatt, P. R. (2008). India's Trade Competitiveness and Exchange Rate Policy. The Journal of
Applied Economic Research, Vol. 2 (3), pp. 247-264.
Koster, Sierdjan. and Rai, Shailendra Kumar. (2008). Entrepreneurship and Economic
Development in a Developing Country: A Case Study of India. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Vol.
17 (2), pp. 117-137.
Excellence International Journal Of Education And Research (Multi-subject journal)
Page 297