Puran Chand Sharma
It is well said, ” The idea whose time has come, no force on earth can stop it.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the course of commencement of his innings to lead the country from the front to unleash and implement necessary reformative as well as transformative measures to make India Viksit Bharat by 2047, the year of completion of hundred years of freedom from the British Rule. It shall be, therefore interesting and inspiring to examine and understand this vital and very significant issue as to whether this scintillating dream can be realized or not. This author aims at discussing and concluding as how it can be translated into a reality by dint of strong will power, unflinching trust and determination. Let us discuss and arrive at a fair conclusion.
We keenly observe that the notion of India becoming a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence, has gained prominence in political and academic circles. It implies not only high income per capita but also multidimensional development, social equity, environmental sustainability, institutional robustness, technological leadership, strong and responsible foreign policy. The dream is ambitious, despite being among the world’s fastest growing economies, India still remains a low middle income country in per capita terms. This article examines the components and ingredients of Viksit Bharat, evaluates the leadership style of Narendra Modi in this context, analyses the major challenges both internal and external, considers foreign policy including neighbours and diplomacy and finally weighs the prospects of realization of the dream.
By and Large, the vision of Viksit Bharat emerges from three broad historical phases:1′ Foundational Phase(1947-1980s) : This was guided by Nehruvian planning and Ambedkar’s constitutional vision, India built democratic foundation and pursued a mixed economy. 2. Reform Phase (1980): In this phase Economic liberalization integrated India with global markets, boosting IT and services. 3. Transformational Phase(2014 onwards): Modi’s Leadership emphasized Digital India, Atamnirbhar Bharat, and infrastructure expansion, projecting India as an aspiring global leader. As Swami Vivekanand once said, ” Arise ,awake and stop not till the goal is reached” (Vivekananda, 1893) . The centenary goal of Viksit Bharat reflects this spirit of unfinished national awakening.
Key Components/ Ingredients Of Viksit Bharat
Sustained and Inclusive Economic Growth: India must increase not just total GDP but per capita income significantly.
.Human Development: Education, Health and development Quality Education for all, reducing shadow education, addressing inequity in schooling. Strong health care systems, nutrition, reduction of disparities. Gender equality and marginalized communities must not lag behind in any key indicator.
Technological change, Innovation and Institutional Reforms
Digital Economy: BY 2047, India’s financial technology ,AI and innovation ecosystems could rival developed nations. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, envisioned “A developed India by 2020 is not a dream, it is a mission we can all share and achieve.” (Kalam, 1998). The timeline extends to 2047, but the aspiration remains unchanged.
Human Capital And Education: The National Educational Policy 2020 highlights holistic learning, skill development, and global competitiveness. Investments in healthcare and vocational training are vital for turning India’s demographic dividend into knowledge dividend.
Governance And Leadership: Modi’s Governance style being decisive, reform driven and digitally enabled has redefined public service delivery. Apolitical scientist Granville Austin (1966) observed, India’s strength lies in its institutions, not just leaders. Therefore, Institutional reforms ensuring transparency, accountability and decentralization will be essential.
Social Cohesion And Communal Harmony: Mahatma Gandhi emphasized in 1931, ” A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Therefore, India must strengthen pluralism, gender equity and social justice. Women’s empowerment and caste equity would be central to a socially cohesive Viksit Bharat. Technological Innovation and Green Growth: India’s achievements in space (Chanderyaan, Gaganyaan) and digital innovation show potential for leadership.
By 2047 AI, Biotechnology, renewal energy, and sustainable cities must shape India’s development model.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: India’s foreign policy has evolved from Nehru’s non-alignment to Modi’s Multi-alignment world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishanker has quoted, ” India is rising in a multipolar world, where it must engage all but align with none rigidly”. A Developed India must balance strategic autonomy with global leadership, particularly in South Asia, Indo Pacific and Climate Diplomacy.
Challenges On The Road Ahead
Population Pressure : Whilst briskly moving towards attaining the status of Vikisit Bharat and Vishavguru, handling our population pressure in the given circumstances is the towering challenge, though stabilizing, the vast numbers demand sustained job creation and resource management.
Climate Change: Balancing Growth with carbon neutrality is certainly a monumental task and shall have to be carefully and precisely managed.
Inequality: Regional Imbalances and digital divides need be reduced.
Geopolitical Tensions: Managing hostile neighours, border disputes and global uncertainties.
Political Polarization: In Democracies, Political Polarization is natural phenomena but Democratic vibrancy must not be undermined by divisive politics.
Role Of Leadership And Citizens
Leadership and citizens would play a pivotal role in our arduous journey towards being a Viksit Bharat. We are fortunate enough that at this twilight hour, our Leadership is quite visionary, decisive and inclusive, fostering between state and citizen.
Citizens must transform from being passive beneficiaries to active participants in nation-building.
Gandhi ji’s principle of ” India lives in its villages” must be harmonized with modern urban growth.
Conclusion
The dream of Viksit Bharat @2047 is neither a utopian nor unattainable idea but a logical progression if India harnesses its demographic advantage, cultural ethos, technological capabilities and democratic strength. As Prime minister, Narendra Modi often emphasizes, India is on the cusp of a “Amrit Kaal”-a golden period of opportunity and time to fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters , to create an India that is self –reliant and developed. (Independence Day Address, 2022). The challenge lies in converting this aspiration into a concrete roadmap where growth and equity walk hand in hand. Yet the transition from vision to reality requires not only Government initiatives but also the dedication of every Indian. By uniting economic growth with social justice, tradition with modernity, and nationalism with global responsibility, India can indeed transform the dream of Viksit Bharat into a radiant reality by 2047.
Rabindera Nath Tagore’s immortal lines-” Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”, remain the philosophical anchor of this vision.
(The author is President, Ved Mandir)
