Volume XI- Number 2
Leon J. Wisniewski
Abstract:
India’s post-colonial development has yielded notable gains in quality of life for many on the subcontinent. Technological developments associated with the Green Revolution have increased production of food crops as well as high-value commodities like tea and cotton. The industrial sector also shows promising signs of growth. An influx of foreign investment, declining budget deficits, and an abundance of mineral deposits have promoted an expanding manufacturing base. The country has set ambitious goals in a variety of defense, space exploration, and nuclear power projects. There are still notable roadblocks to equitable development in the country, however. Large portions of the population have only limited access to public infrastructure and would benefit from state irrigation projects. Land reform is badly needed to reduce inequality and inefficiency in the agricultural sector. Unchecked population growth is perhaps India’s most daunting challenge, necessitating the implementation of swift, substantive family planning programs. Still, there is reason to be optimistic about the young nation’s future, and its growth reflects the promise of post-colonial societies across the Third World.
Key Words: India, Nehru, development, Third World, Green Revolution
