80 years free, India’s biggest independence challenge is its bureaucracy with colonial mindset

On the 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his five pledges, calling for the eradication of the colonial mindset that plagues Indian society. As the nation celebrates its 80th Independence Day, with the goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, Modi reminded citizens that only cowards leave their future to fate.

He urged them to contribute to the nation's growth through courage, enterprise, persistence, and hard work. While efforts have been made to remove traces of colonial servitude, symbols from India's dark past are still celebrated in education and the social sector. One of the biggest symbols of colonialism remains the Indian bureaucracy, which has been slow to reform, causing increased costs and corrupt practices in doing business.

To achieve the 2047 dream, a total overhaul of the bureaucracy is necessary, with the removal of corrupt officials and rewarding merit. Modi has the will to make this change, as his political base remains strong. Despite efforts to see India's past with rose-colored glasses, the chaos and suffering of the past three centuries have been overlooked.