Underscore some of India’s most crucial economic challenges at the time of independence.
The exploitative colonial rule of the British hampered almost every sphere of Indian economy badly. As an end-result, India faced acute economic challenges at the time of independence. The following are some of the economic challenges faced by the Indian economy:
1. Low Level of Agricultural Productivity: During the colonial rule Indian agricultural sector was used by the British to suit their own interest. Consequently, Indian agricultural sector experienced stagnancy, low level of productivity, lack of investment, poor condition of landless farmers and peasants. Thus, the immediate concern for India was to develop its agricultural sector and its productivity. Some of the immediate reforms needed at the time of independence were abolition of the Zamindari system, need of land reforms, reducing inequality of land ownership and upliftment of the peasants.
2. Infant Industrial Sector: India failed to develop a sound industrial base during colonial rule. In order to develop the industrial sector, India needed huge capital, investments, infrastructure, human skills, technical knowhow and modern technology. Further,due to stiff competition from the British industries, India's domestic industries failed to sustain. Thus, developing small scale and large scale industries simultaneously was the main concern for India to develop its industrial sector. Moreover, the need to increase the share of the industrial sector to India's GDP was one of the important economic challenges for India.
3. Lack in Infrastructure: Although there was a significant change in the infrastructural development in the country, this was not sufficient to improve the performance of the agricultural and industrial sector. Also, there was a need to upgrade the existing infrastructure and to modernise the infrastructure to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Poverty and Inequalities: India was trapped in the vicious circle of poverty and inequality. The colonial rule drained out a significant portion of India's wealth to Britain. Consequently, the majority of India's population was poverty stricken. This further exaggerated economic inequalities across the country.
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.
Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?
When was India’s first official census operation undertaken?
Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
Find the odd man out (i) rickshaw puller who works under a rick-shaw owner (ii) mason (iii) mechanic shop worker (iv) shoeshine boy.
Do you think that in the last 50 years, employment generated in the country is commensurate with the growth of GDP in India? How?
What are High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds?
Why did India opt for planning?
Raj is going to school. When he is not in school, you will find him working in his farm. Can you consider him as a worker? Why?
Are the following workers — a beggar, a thief, a smuggler, a gambler? Why?
Establish the need for acquiring information relating to health and education expenditure for the effective utilisation of human resources.
Explain the need and type of land reforms implemented in the agriculture sector.
What do you understand by devaluation of rupee?
Agriculture sector appears to be adversely affected by the reform process. Why?