It was a long struggle for India before it could get independence from the clutches of the British Empire. Although it took the Indians more than a decade to adjust to the fact that it has been divided into three different nations, finally each person on this subcontinent who wanted to live in an independent country got his wishes fulfilled.
Over the years, as India has continued to keep up the flame of democracy, and brotherhood alive and even struggled against violence, discrimination, and justice and continues to do so, there have been many achievements as well as events that have now made the country as one of the topmost developing countries in the world.
As India celebrates its 76th Independence Day this 15th August, here’s a short overview of some of the topmost events/achievements of the country that helped it reach where it is today.
Partition
Two things that happened during the independence process and after that continue to haunt India even today. The partition led to many riots leading to Hindu and Muslim animosity with hundreds of people from both sides of Pakistan and India getting killed. It has forever created a rift between the two communities.
Kashmir accedes to India
Another important event that continues to be the bone of contention between India and Pakistan and has given us Indians a cause of constant worry is the status of Kashmir. Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir signed an accession instrument to India in October 1947. Prior to that, it had a standstill arrangement with Pakistan and India. When the Pakistan army entered some part of Kashmir Hari Singh was cornered and immediately signed the agreement in favour of India. But since then the Pakistan army has not withdrawn from its occupied part giving rise to what is now called POK and the border disputes.
Mahatma Gandhi assassination
Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a supposed RSS loyalist because he believed that Gandhi’s decision to allow India’s partition led to the creation of Pakistan. Godse believed that this decision led to communal tension in the country and killed many people. Then Home Minister Sardar Patel banned RSS but later on the ban was lifted.
Indian constitution was born
After Independence, it was a very enthusiastic but ailing nation that the first Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had to lead. In its rule of more than three centuries, the British Empire had left the country poor, broken, and helpless. So when the Indian government was formed the first need for the country was to have its own constitution for the parliament. Some of the high-level intellectuals led by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar discussed in 11 sessions of constituent assemblies and finally, after almost three years were able to come up with what we today call the Indian Constitution.
Amendments have been introduced time and again but the basis was formed by Ambedkar and team in 1950.
India hosted Asian Games
For the first time, India as an independent country hosted Asian Games in 1951. It was a way of India telling the world that we are an independent nation now capable of standing on our feet and fulfilling the responsibility and expectations of the globe from it as an independent nation.
First IIT was formed in Kharagpur
The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was formed in July 1951 to provide world-class engineering education to the Indians so that it can produce new and brilliant engineers contributing towards better development of the country.
Bhartiya Jana Sangha was formed
Bhartiya Jana Sangha which now has changed to Bhartiya Janata Party was formed in 1951 as the first political party after independence. Congress was formed with the intention to bring the freedom fighters under one canopy during the pre-independence time but later on, it rebuilt itself as the leading political party in the country.
First election was held in 1951
The first general elections were held in 1951 after a proper Constitution was formed and the country had been able to establish certain normalcy after the devastating impact of partition. Sukumar Sen was the first Election Commissioner of the country and the election was carried out in 68 phases in a span of 5 months overcoming deep logistics challenges.
China invasion
Despite extending the hand of friendship, China cheated on India and the Chinese army entered the Indian land in 1961 much to the shock of all Indians. While the Indian army was nowhere as equipped to fight the Chinese soldiers, the enemy kept on capturing the Eastern territories. After establishing its supremacy, the Chinese declared a ceasefire, but it left Nehru heartbroken and he died subsequently.
To date, the China-India border issue stands unresolved and continues to haunt India.
India Pakistan War
Just a few years later, Pakistan attacked India with the aim to capture the remaining portion of Kashmir. But thankfully, the Indian army successfully managed to defeat the Pakistanis in the multiple wars that it has fought with Pakistan in more than 7 decades.