What Will New Year 2017 Be Like for India?

Can 2017 be a breakthrough year for India?

breakthrough

The beginning of a calendar year is celebrated across the globe with much hope and joy. People exchange wishes for growth, happiness, health, and prosperity. Here is our wishlist – a common man’s hopes and aspirations for India’s breakthrough growth in 2017.

Impact of Demonetisation

Demonetisation of the high value currency notes (Rs 500 and Rs 1000) and the subsequent withdrawal restrictions placed on the masses due to shortage of new currency notes, was one of the most significant developments of 2016. Each and every one of us felt the pain of demonetisation and many of us were introduced to the world of cashless transactions, plastic money, and digital wallets for the first time.

The political leaders and corporate head honchos all had their own take on the move. As common men and women, we only hope that the decision has been successful in flushing out the illegal black money. Also, we hope that the masses have understood the value of saving and investing with mainstream financial institutions rather than the local brokers.

GST Implementation

It is after overcoming many hurdles, the government of India and the state administrations agreed on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The GST, one of the greatest tax reforms of our times, will be implemented from April 2017, and will replace the VAT, service tax, entertainment tax, and many such taxes.

The government has come up with a tiered approach, making essentials tax free and levying an increasing amount of tax on luxury goods and services. We hope that this shall be the start of a tax regime that curbs inflation and provides a big boost to domestic industry and exports.

Beyond Political Uncertainties

The final months of 2016 brought with them considerable political uncertainty in many of the major states. The death of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa has certainly left AIADMK in the throes of a power struggle. Infamous as Tamil Nadu is for its anti-incumbency tendencies, will the current turmoil in the ruling party precipitate a major change in the state’s leadership?

Uttar Pradesh, too, ended 2016 with a shocker. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, expelled his son Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister of UP, from the party. Another clear breakdown in the state administrative machinery. Will Akhilesh deflect to BJP? Will Mayawati be the gainer of this public spat?

In 2017, we hope to see much greater clarity and political consciousness. We hope this will be the year that the electorate of India will come to truly understand the power of the ballot.

Legislative Assembly Polls to Watch Out For

2017 is all set to be an important year in the political landscape of the country. Some of the most important states that are scheduled to go to polls (Legislative assembly elections) include Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Gujarat, Goa, Manipur, and Himachal Pradesh. Demonetisation is likely to have cleared the illegal play of money in the elections. This is also the year that the BJP will start its groundwork for the 2019 general elections.

We wish for free and fair polls and a great turnout in these states. A strong state administration will bring back focus into the local issues and redefine the centre-state relationship.

Focus on Sports

2016 was a wonderful year for the sports enthusiasts of the country. PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar shone out with their exemplary performance at Olympic Games at Rio. The Paralympic Games, which traditionally remained muted in the country, saw a huge change in terms of popularity and perception. The four Indian medalists, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Devendra Jhajharia, Deepa Malik, and Varun Bhatia brought pride to the country.

Indian batsman Virat Kohli bagged the Player of the Tournament in the ICC World Cup T20, and Ravichandran Ashwin bagged the ICC Cricketer and Test Cricketer of Year Awards in 2016. The release of movies like Sultan and Dangal inspired hundreds of thousands across the country to take sports seriously. We hope that this trend will continue and sports will receive its much deserved focus and attention in the year to come.

A Combined Budget

Last year, the government announced that it would do away with a 9- decade-old practice and merge the Union and Railway budgets of the country. So, it is indeed with great expectations and excitement that we, the people of India, look forward to the first combined budget.

After going through the very painful process of demonetisation and with the introduction of the multi-tier GST, one can only hope that this budget will bring some relief to the taxpayers of the country. Not only do we look forward to a complete revamp of the income tax structure, but also hope that the government sets up the requisite infrastructure for the economy to go cashless.

Making  Smart Cities A Reality

The launch of the Smart Cities Mission in 2015 came as the realisation of a dream – an ambitious leap into a beautiful future for India. The government announced the list of 20 Smart Cities to be developed in the first leg, 13 in the second round and 27 in the third phase; and work is speeding up in all these cities. In 2017, we are to hold the third Smart Cities Expo. Our 2017 wish is for the dream to become a reality and for these cities to come up as clean and developed urban settlements and centres of development.

Redefining India-US Relations

2016 was indeed the year of surprises; some very pleasant, others not quite so. One of the greatest surprises was the overwhelming support Donald Trump found in the US Presidential elections.

Despite opposition from the incumbent President Obama and mainstream media, Trump swept through the US and is set to take over the Oval Office. While his rival Hillary remained noncommittal through her campaign, Trump was clear about his support for India and the Indian people.

“India is doing great,” he said at one time and, “Indian and Hindu community will have a true friend in the White House,” on another occasion. Our 2017 wish includes a strong bilateral relationship to develop between India and the US. Strengthening of economic, diplomatic and defence ties shall be mutually beneficial and help India in its pitch for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Getting Ahead with the International Solar Alliance

With each passing year, the challenges faced by planet Earth keep growing. From plastics to pollution, from global warming to depleting natural resources – the very existence of humankind is under threat. To promote the use of clean renewable energy, India and France launched the International Solar Alliance in 2015.

Over 120 countries have already signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance. The headquarters of the alliance is in Gurugram (Gurgaon), India. The Indian cabinet has approved India’s commitment to the USD 1 trillion initiative (December 2016). With this, we hope India takes the lead in setting up this ambitious global solar programme and we work towards a greener cleaner earth in 2017.

Freedom from Strife

Last year was not all rosy. The large scale protests in a prestigious university such as the JNU, the support lent to a terrorist from sections of media, major clashes in Jammu and Kashmir that brought back haunting memories of dark times, and the sacrilegious attacks on our armed forces – these are some of the wounds that have festered and divided our country which has hitherto remained a stellar example of unity in diversity. Our greatest wish for 2017 is harmony and peace, both externally and internally.

Wishing you all a great New Year 2017!

 

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