To achieve the 2047 developed nation target, challenges must be addressed
Independence Day marks the momentous occasion when India broke free from the shackles of the colonial yoke. It is also a day to pay tribute to the sacrifices and courage shown by countless freedom fighters who fought the British rule.
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.” This is from the famous Tryst with Destiny speech of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in which he reflected on India’s long struggle for freedom and called for a new beginning.
Since its independence, India has achieved significant progress across various sectors, especially in the post-liberalisation period. It has established itself as a leader in space exploration. The country has also made strides in nuclear technology, becoming a nuclear power. Economically, India has catapulted from a predominantly agricultural economy to a major global economy with a GDP of $3.9 trillion in 2025. India occupies a high position in sectors such as IT services (including the startup ecosystem), pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, among others. We have also made strides in human development, infrastructure, sports and even entertainment (film industry). The Digital India initiative has revolutionised payments, governance and financial inclusion. With a strong defence, India has emerged as a powerful nation, as displayed in Operation Sindoor. With many other achievements and strong leadership, India stands tall as a resilient and emerging superpower.
We need to be forward-looking, and the government has rightly come out with a vision document to make India a developed nation by 2047. Viksit Bharat 2047 is the government’s vision to drive the mission of making India a completely developed nation by its 100th anniversary of independence in 2047.
According to NITI Aayog, the key to India’s future is the development and exploitation of our comparative advantage, to become an upper-middle-income country in a decade and a high-income country in 25 years. The challenge is to broaden and deepen economic reforms to transform the quality of our human resources, to take advantage of the new trends in global polity and economy, so that fast growth is sustained for three decades, says a NITI working paper. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several steps to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat.
There are, however, challenges that will have to be addressed. These include employment creation, sustainability, reasonable rates of growth, removal of inequality and providing quality education and healthcare, as well as AI. Religion, caste, gender and socio-economic discriminations continue to create divisions among the people. Another challenge is how India will face the changing world order. Efforts are needed to maintain peace in society, ensure social justice, equality and empowerment of women, so that the Happiness Index is high.
As for Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has set the dream of Viksit Goa to be achieved by 2037. For this, an agency appointed by the government is preparing a document which will be released by the end of the year. Sawant has been pushing the agenda for achieving the parameters of Viksit Goa.
To see a brighter future, all sections of society will have to contribute. Here, one is reminded of the famous quote by John F Kennedy – “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
