Historical and Social Achievements of India

With the remarkable achievement in the field of space exploration, the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 has filled the hearts of every indian with pride and profound emotions as we bask in the glory of Chandrayaan 3's triumphant landing to further unravel the mysteries of our celestial neighbor, the Moon. India’s achievement comes 4th in number with countless men and women on ISRO who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—the scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff—who transformed the vision into reality.

Over the recent years, India has astonished the global community with its rapid development, emerging as one of the fastest-growing nations. All domains within India have undergone diverse reforms, establishing the country's significant standing on the international stage. Let's delve into a few historical events that evoke a sense of pride among the citizens for the country.

2017

Goods and Service Tax (GST)

India's Biggest Reform Since Independence: On July 1, 2017, at the stroke of the midnight hour,the Indian parliament introduced the momentous Goods and Services Tax, famously known as GST. This historic move aimed to create a unified market with a single tax structure, eradicating numerous state-level taxes and fees. With the implementation of GST, India successfully integrated its colossal economy, exceeding two trillion dollars, and its vast population of over 1.3 billion people into a harmonized marketplace. Consequently, products and services of identical nature now bear identical prices across all states and union territories.

Doklam stand-off

From June to August 2017, India and China engaged in a 73-day standoff near the Sikkim border in the region of Doklam. The conflict emerged when Chinese troops started constructing an unauthorized road in the disputed tri-junction of Bhutan, Sikkim, and China. Indian forces intervened, leading to China's demand for Indian troop withdrawal. Bhutan claimed Doklam, while China's presence was deemed unlawful. In August, both countries agreed to withdraw troops from the Doklam standoff site.

Triple Talaq

In August 2017, the nation's highest court issued a ban on the contentious Islamic practice of instant divorce, known as "triple talaq," where men can divorce their wives by uttering the word "talaq" three times. The court deemed this practice "unconstitutional" and supported the government's stance that it infringes upon women's fundamental rights. The verdict was rendered by a diverse panel of five judges representing major faiths - Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism.

India hosts FIFA U-17 world

The 17th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup occurred in 2017, a biennial international soccer competition involving under-17 men's national teams. Orchestrated by FIFA, the event unfolded in India from October 6 to 28, 2017, following India's selection as host on December 5, 2013. This championship marked India's inaugural hosting of a FIFA tournament and Asia's first U-17 World Cup host since the United Arab Emirates in 2013. Notably, the attendance at this World Cup set a new record at 1,347,133, surpassing China's previous record of 1,230,976 established in 1985.

Mirabai Chanu

Mirabai Chanu's remarkable achievement in weightlifting marked a significant milestone for India, as she became the first Indian to clinch a gold medal in the sport after a span of two decades in the Women's 48 kg category, she achieved a remarkable feat by setting a competition record of lifting a total of 194 kg at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships, which took place in Anaheim, California, United States.

2018

Sabarimala Verdict

In September 2018, the Supreme Court of India issued a landmark order, permitting women of all ages to enter Kerala's renowned Sabarimala temple. This ruling brought an end to the long-standing ban that had previously prevented women and girls aged between 10 and 50 from accessing the shrine, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually. The court, with a majority four-to-one judgment, declared that such restrictions could not be deemed as essential religious practices, likening the custom to a form of "untouchability." Justice Indu Malhotra, the sole woman on the five-judge constitution bench, dissented, asserting that the court should refrain from interfering in matters of religious practices. The prohibition, rooted in the belief that the temple's deity, Lord Ayyappa, is celibate, had persisted for decades, excluding women of menstruating age from entering the temple premises.

Decriminalizing sec 377

In a momentous step for gay rights, five Supreme Court judges proclaimed in September 2018 that homosexuality is no longer a crime or a mental disorder in India. The court reversed its 2013 decision and partially struck down Section 377, an outdated law that criminalized consensual same-sex relations. The judges branded the ban as irrational and indefensible, emphasizing the need to bid farewell to prejudices and ensure equal empowerment of all citizens. They asserted that any discrimination based on sexuality violates fundamental rights. The verdict resonated with millions nationwide, extending beyond the LGBTQ+ community, which had battled for equal treatment for years.

2019

Balakot surgical air strike

India's Balakot air strike took place on February 26, 2019, in the early hours. The Indian Air Force used Mirage 2000 fighters armed with SPICE 2000 satellite-guided bombs to strike the Jaish-e-Mohammed's Balakot training camp inside Pakistani territory. Crossing the Line of Control before dawn, the Indian fighter jets executed "non-military, pre-emptive air strikes'' based on specific intelligence inputs. The decision was spurred by a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bombing just two weeks prior, which targeted a military convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, resulting in the loss of over 40 soldiers' lives.

Ayodhya dispute

In November 2019, the Supreme Court concluded the extensive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute, ruling that the Ayodhya site belongs to the deity Ram Lalla. This groundbreaking decision allows for a temple's construction and designates a separate "prominent site" for a mosque. The verdict resolved a century-old legal battle over the land where the 16th century Babri mosque stood, demolished in 1992. The judges referenced an Archeological Survey of India report confirming a structure beneath the mosque without specifying its nature. Prior attempts at a three-way land division had failed to satisfy the parties, leading them to the Supreme Court. The verdict was accepted by the principal parties, signaling a healing process.

Jammu and Kashmir article 370 revoked

On August 5, the "temporary" special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 was revoked through a presidential order, effective immediately, according to Home Minister Amit Shah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet meeting preceded this announcement. The state was reorganized into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, effective from October 31, 2019. Article 370 granted Jammu and Kashmir its constitution and decision-making authority, except for defense, communications, and foreign affairs. Its removal aims to accelerate development, extend national rights, and address Pakistan-linked terrorism. Home Minister Shah assured that Jammu and Kashmir will regain its state status eventually, while Ladakh remains a union territory.

2020

Galwan valley

The fragile calm along the Line of Actual Control between India and China shattered on June 15, 2020, as Chinese and Indian soldiers clashed in Galwan valley. This violent confrontation, though devoid of firearms, led to the tragic loss of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops (though the actual Chinese casualties might be higher). This incident highlighted China's expansionist inclinations and underscored the unresolved border issue. Consequently, Chinese and Indian troops found themselves in a tense face-off in the Ladakh sector. Despite subsequent discussions resulting in partial disengagement, progress appears to have halted, leaving the situation unresolved.

2021

Neeraj Chopra Javelin Throw

On August 7, 2021, Neeraj Chopra's javelin flight marked a historic moment for India. Soaring to 87.58m, it secured the country's first track & field Olympic medal and the second individual gold after Abhinav Bindra's 2008 shooting victory. Born in Haryana's Khandra village in 1997, Chopra's journey from overweight child to exceptional athlete reshaped Indian sport. His Tokyo triumph also led to a silver at the World Championships, further elevating Indian athletics on the global stage. This achievement has paved the way for more medals, even witnessed during his absence at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Manish Kumar takes India’s first COVID - 19 vaccine at AIIMS

On January 16, Manish Kumar, a 34-year-old sanitation worker at AIIMS in Delhi, became India's pioneer in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

2022

Indian govt sold AIR india to TATA

As part of a significant drive to privatize government-owned enterprises, the Indian government successfully transferred ownership of Air India back to the Tatas on January 27, marking their return to the airline after an almost 70-year gap. Following the privatization of Air India, the government proceeded with the LIC IPO, which was initiated on May 4. The government divested a 3.5% stake in what became India's largest-ever IPO.

Draupadi Murmu

Droupadi Murmu achieved a historic victory on July 21 in the Presidential election, securing an impressive margin. Her win marked a momentous occasion as she became the first individual from a tribal community to hold this esteemed position in independent India.

2023

India celebrated the victory of winning 2 Oscar awards

India rejoiced in the triumph of securing 2 Oscars: one for the Best Documentary Short Film, awarded to 'Elephant Whisperers', and the other for the Best Original Song, claimed by 'Naatu Naatu' from the movie RRR.