Azadi journey so far. Achievements and the way ahead

From India’s first communication satellite Apple being carried on a bullock cart to launching several satellites into space, undertaking Mars and Moon missions, becoming a nuclear power, from playing gully games to winning the Cricket World Cup and Olympic medals, India’s journey from 1947 to 2021 has been nothing short of impressive, given the challenges of overpopulation and a low GDP. Strong, inside and out V K NamballaSince Independence, India, the world’s largest democracy, has built social, educational, scientific and health institutions of international repute, became self-sufficient in food production, an established nuclear and space power, built industries, developed efficient and effective military and para military forces, built up the defence industry and managed internal and external threats to our nation.We need to develop health, education and physical infrastructure, facilitate social inclusion of rural India and create employment opportunities to ensure a sustainable future. — Prof V Ramgopal Rao, director, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Towards a healthier India Dr P P Lal KrishnaIndia has made noteworthy progress in the health and pharmaceutical industry, from importing medicines some decades ago to now manufacturing and supplying drugs and vaccines to several other countries. — Dr P P Lal Krishna, CEO and MD, Ramky Pharma City India Limited Progress, prosperity and integrity Sara Yusufi SabuwalaAccording to me, India’s most remarkable achievement is introducing the mid-day meal scheme for children. — Sara Yusufi Sabuwala, student Masters in Computer application, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai Aiming for scien-tific pre-eminence Prof Sunil Kumar SinghSince independence, starting almost from scratch, India has made a huge progress in the research sector, in both basic and applied, from space research and atomic energy to oceanic science.