CONTEXT   As 2020 comes to a close, it might be worthwhile to take a look back at the challenges which India faced this year, and ensure 2021 becomes better from our learning from the hard times.

CHALLENGES INDIA FACED IN 2020

• Global pandemic due Covid-19 affected every segment of Indian society and due to it 1.5 lakh of people died alone in india.
• Conflict with China in the eastern Ladakh area of India hit the Sino-India relations to the lowest of all times. Even now, the issue is not resolved.
• Naxalite violence posed a major issue for internal security.
• The problematic J&K situation caused by the altered status of the J&K and incarceration of political leaders.
• West Bengal resemblance as a war zone- with Assembly elections in 2021 relations between Delhi and Kolkata are at lowest and grave concerns exist about violence during the elections presence in assembly elections in the state due to political polarisation.
• Role and utility of parliament– The Parliament is a platform for an honest exchange of views. In the year of 2020, the sanctity of parliament was undermined with the sessions being dispensed with under various excuses.
• Indian Economy- In 2020 the economy is in recession. Also, India has slipped down the scale in the Human Development Index and the Global Economic Freedom Index.
• Social and Farmers issues- A new law against forced conversion by marriage tends to unrest in polity. Further, farmers agitation is another instance where official intransigence has led to a situation in which the Supreme Court had sought to intervene

WAY FORWARD FOR 2021

• Political leadership- The ruling party enjoys major popularity, hence it has a relative degree of freedom to undertake major changes. There is a need to deliver on promises and understand the seriousness of newer challenges the nation faces.
• The tendency of politicians to indulge in rhetorical flourishes must be avoided, instead they must aim at achieving tangible outcomes.
• India China border conflict- India must not remain satisfied with the current stand­off with China in the Ladakh sector. Rather it should think of better options available to resolve the ongoing conflict, as it is enabling many of its neighbours to play China against India.
• Economy- The reforms in the economy should be next. India needs to enhance its competitive advantage compared to other nations. This requires rejection of the misleading concept that an export-oriented economic strategy is damaging India’s economy.
• Technology- There is a need to avoid all the attempts to tamper with technological and academic excellence prompted in some quarters during 2020.
• Job creation for youth- Government must take urgent steps to enhance the labour market which is disrupted by the pandemic. Stimulating demand for goods and services would ensure growth in job opportunities.
• Restoring confidence- The government needs to take serious attempts to restore confidence in constitutional principles in the wake of a crisis of confidence amongst certain sections of society. They believe that, government is violating the principles and rules sanctified by the Constitution, and that the Opposition’s rights are being steadily undermined.
• To instil confidence in the country’s democratic future there is an urgent need for effective cooperation between the Centre and the States must be restored.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/notes-from-a-year-of-unease/article33432167.ece