India's 71st Independence Day: Biggest Achievements of 2016-17

Independence Day brings with it a feeling of patriotism and belonging. Flags raised high, the colours of Trianga fluttering in the wind and the chorus of Jana Gana Mana ringing on the streets – that’s how India basks in the glow of Independence.

71 years have passed with their own comings and goings and generations bear witness of the struggle, hard work and growth that our nation has faced.

The year 2016-17 was no less! From getting the tag of the ‘Fastest Growing Economy’ to the launch of Jio calling and data services, India has certainly seen some liberating highs.

As India prepares itself for the 71st Independence Day celebrations, it is time to recollect some of the major achievements and events that occurred in the year 2016-17.

Following are the Major Achievements and Events of 2016-17 that all Indians should be proud of:

Business – Launch of Jio Data and Calling Services at Optimum Rates

Mukesh Ambani launched the Jio services at the cheapest data rates in the world. The launch of Jio brought a drastic change in the country’s telecom market.

Economy – Recovering close to Rs. 14 lakh crores through Demonetisation

Demonetisation of the Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes at the end of 2016 helped the Indian Government in recovering more than Rs. 14 lakh crores worth of black money.

Entertainment – Indian actresses make it big in Hollywood

Priyanka Chopra won the hearts of many not only in India but also left a lasting impression on Hollywood as she starred the cover of W magazine and presented an award at the Emmys. Deepika Padukone also got her Hollywood debut in the movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

Politics – Launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the Modi Government

Modi government made the biggest tax reform since Independence by launching the Goods and Services Tax on July 1, 2017.

Sports – Indian women made it big in Olympics 2016

PV Sindhu made India Proud by becoming the first woman to win a silver medal in the Olympics. Also, Sakshi Malik and Dipa Karmakar held the flags high at the Olympics 2016 by winning a Bronze medal and becoming first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics respectively.

Science – Short-range surface-to-air missile test launch successful

The test fire of the Surface-to-Air Missile was successfully carried out from Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. The missile was tested successfully in the second developmental trial within three months.

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Development – India becomes third largest economy of Asia

India bagged the tag of the third largest economy in Asia and also the tag of the fastest growing economy in Asia with a GDP growth forecast of over 7%.

Technology – India becomes second largest base of Internet users in the world

Now, India has more than 277 million Internet users, taking it a step ahead towards digitisation. India is now the second largest base of internet users with China holding the first position.

Health – Bharat Biotech becomes the first company to launch Zika virus vaccine

As the world struggled with the Zika virus, Bharat Biotech was the first to file a patent for the vaccination against the virus.

Environment – India stopped building coal plants at least till 2027

The Indian government has decided to move towards renewable sources of energy and has decided to stop building coal plants till 2027.

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As Robert Frost had penned, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep", India too has a long way to go and much to achieve. While these are just few of the many accomplishments in the past one year, we hope that 2017 rings in more success, recognition & prosperity to the country. But most importantly, we hope that the citizens of this great nation can experience true freedom - from regressive social norms, from NOT being scared to say or do as they please and exercise the democracy in the truest sense, just like our freedom forefathers had envisioned it to be!

Because, who does not want to live in a utopian world that Rabindranath Tagore had hoped for;

"Where the mind is without fear and the head held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action....."

So, all you good folks, let us wake up into that "...heaven of freedom..." and ensure that today, tomorrow and every day after that, we awaken to a free world of thoughts & actions!