Write how the changes have occurred in communication after independence.
Answers
Service Sector Growth
A major development in the nation’s services sector has been visible in the telecom and information technology sectors. A trend that started some two decades back is now well in its prime. Several multinational firms continue to outsource their tele services and IT services to India, resulting in the growth of ITES, BPO and KPO companies. The acquisition of expertise in information technology has led to the generation of thousands of new jobs, which in turn increased domestic consumption and naturally, more foreign direct investments happened to meet the demands.
Growth of Agriculture Sector
Since 1950s, the progress in agriculture has been somewhat steady. The sector grew at about 1 percent per annum in the first half of the 20th century. During the post-Independence era, the growth rate nudged about 2.6 percent per annum. Expansion of farming area and introduction of high-yielding varieties of crops were the major factors of growth in agricultural production. The sector could manage to end dependency on imported food grains. It has progressed both in terms of yield and structural changes.
Consistent investment in research, land reforms, expansion of scope for credit facilities, and improvement in rural infrastructure were some other determining factors that brought about an agricultural revolution in the country. The country has also grown strong in the agri-biotech sector. The Rabobank report reveals that the agri-biotech sector has been growing at 30 percent since the last few years.
Infrastructure Development
The Indian road network has become one of the largest in the world with the total road length increasing from 0.399 million km in 1951 to 4.70 million km as of 2015. Moreover, the total length of the country’s national highways has increased from 24,000 km (1947-69) to 96,214 km (2015). Governmental efforts have led to the expansion of the network of State highways and major district roads, which in turn has directly contributed to industrial growth.
As India needs power to drive its growth engine, it has triggered a noteworthy improvement in the availability of energy by adopting a multi-pronged approach. After almost seven decades of Independence, India has emerged as the third largest producer of electricity in Asia. It has increased its electricity generation capacity from 1,362 MW in 1947 to 356,818 MW as of 2019. Overall, power generation in India has increased from 301 billion units (BUs) during 1992- 93 to 1249.337 BUs in 2018- 19.
Progress in Education Sector
Pulling itself out from widespread illiteracy, India has managed to bring its education system at par with the global standard. The number of schools witnessed a dramatic increase during the post-independence era. The Parliament made elementary education a fundamental right for children in the age group of 6-14 years by passing the 86th amendment to the Constitution in 2002. At independence, India’s literacy rate was a paltry 12.2 % which increased to 74.04% as per 2011 census.
The Government launched the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan in 2001 to ensure education for the children from 6 to 14 years. Prior to that, it had launched an effective initiative – Sponsored District Education Programme, which increased the number of schools across the country. In a bid to attract children to schools, especially in the rural areas, the government also started implementing the mid-day meals programme in 1995.
Achievements in the Field of Healthcare
A decrease in death rates is considered one of the major achievements that came India’s way in this sector. While life expectancy was around 37 years in 1951, it almost doubled to 65 years by 2011. By 2015, it was estimated to have increased to 68 years.
After a long-drawn struggle, India has finally been declared a polio-free country since 2014. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has provided impetus to stop open defecation and prevent spread of communicable diseases. Mortality in children under five years (per thousand live births) came down to 39.4 in 2017 from 126 in 1990. Government’s efforts yielded further result as the number of tuberculosis and HIV cases are also witnessing a declining trend as per WHO. Moreover, India has pledged to eradicate TB by 2025.
Scientific Achievements
Independent India has taken confident strides in its road to scientific development. Its prowess is being manifested in a gradual scaling up of ambitious projects. India takes pride in its space programmes, which began with the launch of its first satellite Aryabhatta in 1975. Since then, India has emerged as a space power that has successfully launched foreign satellites. Through Chandrayaan-1, India became the 4th country in the world to plant its flag on the lunar surface in 2008. Its first mission to Mars was launched in November 2013which successfully reached the planet’s orbit on 24 September 2014. In June 2015, ISRO launched 104 satellites (highest in the world) from a single rocket through PSLV-C37.
.