On this day, exactly eight years ago, Modi Government had assumed power after having registered a thumping victory in the 2014 General Assembly elections. In 2019, PM Modi took over as the Prime Minister yet again with an even bigger mandate. The NDA government spent these eight years making some unprecedented decisions as both its tenures have witnessed changes that have become unfading chapters in Indian History. Back in 2016, the first such decision shook the entire World as India army conducted Surgical Strike against terrorists in Pakistan. This was followed by the historic GST initiative that has resulted in uniform tax collection system, transparency and greater revenue collection. Other changes and initiatives that have brought paradigm shift in the Indian economic, social and political landscape are Abrogation of Article 370, resolution of issues like Triple Talaq and Ayodhya dispute, Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Digital India, NEP 2020, introduction of PLI Scheme, Vaccine Maitri initiative and Free Corona Vaccine, etc. Many other initiatives with an intent of ‘Jan Seva’ have been launched in the country which have improved the standard of living and aid. These include, Ujjwala Scheme, Ujala Yojana, Swachha Bharat Abhiyan which made the country open defecation free, PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Ayushmaan Bharat and many more.
These unparalleled attainments were accompanied with the present government’s achievements at global level where India has been able to up its International Standing like never before. The foundation of such an elevated stature lies in the numerous efforts India has put in these 8 years. Some of the steps include giving due importance to potential regions through change in International policies like shifting from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ policy, ‘Neighbourhood First’, fresh stand on signing of FTAs with various countries, formation of global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) etc.
As for post-pandemic world order, India has surely leapt into the front-row seat due to its large scale implementation capabilities demonstrated in handling the pandemic while considering welfare of all at home with ‘Sabka Saath’ and abroad with ‘Vaccine Maitri’. Achieving this in a democratic setup is indeed wonderful news for all poor and needy across the globe. Further, India’s fight against COVID-19 opened gates for an ecosystem that supported indigenous manufacturing and innovation. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates lauded India’s work on design, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines that helped save a massive number of lives. He also called it “a testament to innovation.” And why not, from CoWin platform, affordable COVID testing kits to innovative PPE kits for doctors, the country has developed devices that ensure innovations meet necessities. Right communication regarding vaccines at the grassroots level was pivotal. For this, a five-point strategic action framework was utilized to draw up the guidelines – Advocacy; Capacity Building; Media Engagement and social media; Social Mobilization and Community Engagement; and Crisis Communication using AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunization).
All this has not been accidental when one looks at the Ethos of Atmanirbhar Bharat, a mass movement, which is deeply rooted in the values of this young nation. Framers of the Indian Constitution have set forth an enormous and unique challenge of simultaneously completing India’s triple transition across social, political and economic fields. India is one rare country of this size and complexity which has taken on this challenge of getting on to the three transitions together. Focus on rural development seems to be one of the key steps under the initiative. Knowing fully well that rural sector demand traditionally remains robust, yet as the effect of pandemic is visible, increasing demand has been one focus area. Pandemic has also caused supply constraints due to supply-chain disruptions, hence attending to this aspect too has been vital for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
And now this initiative is developing into a mass movement as well as the anchor for policy framework. Back in November 2021 itself, a Finance Ministry report had said that, “India is on its way to becoming the fastest-growing major economy in the world … Armed with the necessary macro and micro growth drivers, the stage is set to kickstart India’s investment cycle and catalyze its recovery towards becoming the fastest growing economy in the world”. The survey had said that growth will be supported by a supply-side push from reforms and easing of regulations, emphasis on infrastructural investment, boost to manufacturing sector through PLI schemes, recovery in demand, rise in discretionary consumption after the rollout of vaccines and pick-up in the credit given adequate liquidity and low-interest rates. All these are resulting in less demand-supply mismatch and more job opportunities. PLI schemes are proving to be a very strong pillar of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, clearly breaking the deadlock of jobless growth as was forecasted by experts. Now, not only India is expected to grow faster, it is more inclusive as job creation is at core of these positive developments.
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