Vipin Patel*, Ajay Pratap Singh**
Introduction
Viksit Bharat 2047 is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by the time it celebrates its 100th year of independence in 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, “Viksit Bharat,” or “Developed India,” is more than simply a catchphrase; it reflects a comprehensive plan for the country’s success. The initiative, Viksit Bharat 2047 aims to unleash India’s vast human capital, harness its natural resources sustainably, and build a society that is inclusive, equitable, and prosperous for all. As India marks a century of freedom from colonial rule, the imperative to chart a course towards sustainable development, social justice, and global leadership is more pressing than ever. The PM Modi government adopted a ‘Whole-of-Government’ approach for the Viksit Bharat strategy. This process includes all central ministries, as well as extensive consultations with different state governments, academia, industrial bodies, civil society, scientific organizations, and youth. Viksit Bharat 2047 explores India’s future, focusing on innovation, inclusivity, and integrity, guided by the wisdom of its ancient civilization and modern aspirations. It envisions quality education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for all, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. Addressing issues like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, Viksit Bharat 2047 provides a roadmap for navigating these challenges. India has demonstrated its capabilities to transform over the past decade, with a comprehensive governance model focusing on leaving no one behind through targeted schemes. India’s initiatives include sports, Jan Dhan accounts, COVID-19 vaccines, Chandrayaan, climate goals, digital public infrastructure, infrastructure expansion, and global standing. India’s unique model of frugal innovation is a beacon for other countries, and its commitment to a long-term vision has led to increased international institutions and investments. The establishment of international institutions like the International Solar Alliance and the influx of Indian investors demonstrate respect for India’s global standing.
Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
The Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 is an all-encompassing and ambitious strategy that aims to make India a developed nation by 2047. The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision is to achieve economic prosperity, infrastructure development, human capital development, innovation, and technology advancement, social inclusion, equity, environmental sustainability, good governance, and institutional strengthening, and global leadership. The goal is to elevate India to upper-middle-income status by 2047 by fostering entrepreneurship, attracting investments, and enhancing productivity across sectors. The infrastructure development will include modernizing transportation networks, expanding energy infrastructure, improving urban amenities, and ensuring connectivity in rural areas. The human capital development will focus on education, healthcare, and skill development, promoting lifelong learning and employability. Moreover, Innovation and technological advancement will drive global competitiveness, social inclusion and equity, environmental sustainability, good governance, and global leadership. A fundamental goal of Viksit Bharat is to allow every citizen to participate in the economy. The economy that PM Modi envisions is robust, inclusive, and brimming with job and entrepreneurial opportunities. This requires enacting laws to attract investment, promote economic growth, and support innovation in various industries. The government’s focus on projects such as Made in India, Digital India, and Startup India demonstrates its commitment to creating an environment conducive to business expansion and job creation.
Pathway to Vikshit Bharat: Implementation Strategy
To achieve the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, this policy focuses on four key aspects: infrastructure, investment, innovation, and inclusion. In addition to Indian government reforms aimed at attracting investors, India’s sizable youth population stands to benefit from tailored skill development programs aligned with the economy’s needs. The focus has been directed towards four specific facets, all aimed at propelling India’s progress towards its developmental goals by 2047. Moreover, significant attention is being directed towards infrastructure. The public expenditure on infrastructure has markedly increased over the past three to five years, with projections indicating it will reach Rs 10 lakh crore by 2023-24. Simultaneously, there’s a growing emphasis on investment. Both public and private sector participation is on the rise, with governments actively seeking investments from both spheres and fostering a conducive environment for such endeavours. Additionally, innovation is a top priority. The government is not only aiming to decrease reliance on fossil fuels but also opening up various sectors, including space and nuclear energy, to private entrepreneurs. In tandem with these priorities, there’s a strong focus on inclusion, ensuring equitable access to basic services for all. Every segment of Indian society must benefit from governmental initiatives. The overarching aim is to achieve developed nation status within 25 years by prioritizing inclusion while ensuring that every stratum of Indian society, including the common man, reaps the rewards of these efforts. The shift from a developing to a developed nation is a complicated and varied process that involves careful planning, effective policies, and ongoing progress evaluation. In several interviews, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the goal of achieving ‘Viksit’ (developed) status for India by 2047 could be realized by focusing on GYAN, which stands for Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Narishakti (women empowerment). PM Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ initiative aims to transform India into a developed nation by its 100th year of independence. PM Modi emphasizes that “Hum GYAN pe dhyaan denge, GYAN ko sammaan denge, toh Viksit Bharat banega” (If we focus on and respect knowledge, India will become developed). The GYAN represents the focus on Garib, Yuva, Annadata, and Narishakti.
The journey to fulfilling the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 does not conclude with the centenary of independence; rather, it lays the groundwork for ongoing development and adaptation in the face of new challenges and possibilities. India’s demographic dividend, characterized by a large and youthful population, will drive economic growth and innovation. However, addressing the evolving needs of this demographic cohort, including education, employment, and healthcare, is essential. Balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship requires innovative policies and collective action. India’s role in the global geopolitical landscape is set to evolve significantly, with complex challenges and opportunities. Despite progress in reducing poverty and inequality, India must continue to address social disparities and promote inclusive growth. The governance and institutional reforms are also necessary to foster sustainable development and good governance. By embracing sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, India can navigate the complexities of the 21st century and emerge as a beacon of progress and prosperity. Under Modi’s leadership, India has made considerable progress in infrastructure development, financial inclusion, and social welfare. His initiatives include Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat, and Ayushman Bharat. However, realizing Modi’s vision requires sustained commitment and collective action from all stakeholders. Investment in education, healthcare, skills development, and technology is needed to unlock India’s potential and drive efficiency and transparency.
*PhD, Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi, India. Email: du.vipinpatel@gmail.com
**PhD, Research Scholar, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies is Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, India
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