India in the Crossroads

The modern Bharath, India is always striking to the whole world ever since its
resurgence in the new millennium that carries forward the ancient glory with the
modern ambitions. The new-age India is reverberating with new aspirations and
ambitions. A whole lot of factors are influencing the progress of new India and it is
ever interesting to appreciate the role played by these factors in the glorifying (or lack
of it) the countrys success.
The New-age India
Indias demographic transition is an extraordinary moment in world history. More
than 1 in 2 Indians are below the age of 25. New India shows impatience of youth- the
desire for real & rapid changes- for a quality of life that is second to none. New India
wants world class products & services that make their lives the best.
India is definitely ready for its moment under the sun. India is in the midst of a great
transformation. The diffidence, complexes, & hesitancy of the past are being shed. A
new found sense of confidence seems to be taking root. Every major global
corporation is giving highest priority to its India strategy. This shows how important
India is for the entire world.
India on the Global Platform
It would really be very proud for any Indian to come to know that India which was
one of the third-world countries, a couple of decades ago, has made great strides to
become a developing country, later a fast-developing country and now, the economic
super-power of the future world. (Refer to Exhibit for some Proud Possessions of
India)
Exhibit: Indias Proud Possessions
4
th
largest economy in world purchasing power parity (PPP)
3
rd
largest in Asia among emerging nations
One of the 3 nations having built super computer.
One of the 6 nations having satellite launch capabilities.
Home to 10% of global mobile phone expansion.
One of the 7 nations having built own car.
The Growth Contributors:
Indias success lies in a slew of factors and its worth comprehending the role played
by them in the countries progress. The following factors can be considered to be the
growth enablers to India, for that matter to any country.
Agriculture
Business
Economy

Politics
Culture & Tourism
Science and Technology
Having said that the above factors are Indias growth contributors, what astonishes all
of us now is to understand that few of the above factors are diminishing the growth of
India especially in 2013.
Indian-2013: The Gloom-side
It gives much blow to us to come to know that the current year is really nightmarish to
India and Indians. Though there is few good news with each of the above factors,
there is much ghastly incidence associated with each of the above factors. Lets have a
check.
(a) Business:
On the business front, India is doing little good with some good initiatives that are
aimed for the good for society. Consider for example, the UPA governments nod for
introducing the first ever Women Bank in 2013. 6 such branches are to be opened by
November 2013 with 1,000 cr. Initial investment, one each in the four metros of India
and the 5
th
one in Central India and the 6
th
one in North-East. The number of branches
is expected to be increased to 25 by 2014 and 300 more branches in coming 5 years.
This proposal is aimed at lending money to women-run business and self-help groups.
However, what is worse is the present inflation which is below 4%, an alarming
figure. Besides increasing inflation rate, the much shocking current and fiscal deficits
of India (fiscal deficit is $43.57 billion), sky-rocketing fuel prices and plummeting
value of Indian rupee against the US Dollar has dented the economy of India which
has severely hit the Aam Admi (common man).
(b) Politics
Politics has a direct bearing on the lives of people across the globe and India is no
exception. Though the UPA government has introduced mouth-watering schemes
such as Food Security Bill, Land Acquisition Bill etc, it is severely criticized for the
possible loopholes. Of course, bribery, corruption is already prevailing in India and
has reached its peak especially in the year 2013.
On the other hand, agitations across almost all states are going on to its peak which is
severely curbing the growth prospects. Let's take the case of Andhra Pradesh. The
agitations taking place for the state's bifurcation plans has already made the state
reach a standstill for almost a month. Who is ruthlessly harmed is none other than the
aam admi. Such agitations for or against such state bifurcations or unifications are
taking place here and there at the length and breadth of the country.
(c) Economy
The once shinning India is now gloomy on the face of many issues. India's GDP
which was growing at 9% in 2010 was drastically hit by global factors to as low as
below 4% in 2013. Indian economy has become more vulnerable to the global
shocks. In the last weekend, the rupee fell to a new record low of 64.12 against the
dollar before the central bank intervened. That's a drop of nearly 14 percent since
January. Worst of all, virtually nobody has much faith in India's ability to bring down
its current account deficit the excess of money its sending out (to pay for oil,
for example) versus taking in (from export earnings). When the country faced this
problem in 1991, the government was forced to fly 67 tons of gold to Europe as
collateral for an emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund.

Conclusion:
The age of modern India is 65 years. India has lead by example for all these years
till recently on many fronts such as culture and tradition, science and technology,
innovation and creativity etc. But in the new decade, India is witnessing many
hurdles in its growth, as it is getting more and more global year on year. The year
2013 is earmarked specially for experiencing depressing remarks as it could not fare
well in some key areas such as business, economy, politics, which are explained in
the above paragraphs. However, one should see it a short-term impediment and
should be optimistic in aspiring for a resurgent India. It is the high time that
politicians, administrators, businessmen etc. should act immediately without much
delay to bring back the lost glory to India and keep the Indian flag fly high in the
sky. Let's make India Incredible forever.
References:
1. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-
pacific/india/130829/india-economy-collapse-how-bad-future-consequences
2. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-
pacific/india/130820/analysis-india-totally-screwed
3. http://www.globalpost.com/photo/5913786/india-economy-rupee-plummet-
current-account-crisis
4. http://profit.ndtv.com/news/economy/article-indian-economy-to-grow-at-6-8-
per-cent-in-2013-d-b-315353
5. http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-yearend-2012-2013-a-
year-of-power-struggle-in-indian-politics/20121231.htm
6. http://conclave.intoday.in/conclave-2013.html