With COVID-19 settling into our lives like old dust, we’ve learnt to be wary of new beginnings. People have grown accustomed to the feeling of moving from one crisis to another. From war to climate change disasters, the world has suffered from multiple catastrophes this year. As always is the case with such critical events, lives lost and an economic crisis were the grim repercussions, with the added threat of a nuclear attack.
To commemorate the 75th year of Indian independence, the Government of India launched ‘India at 75 – Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ from March 12, 2021 to August 15, 2023. Numerous activities were held throughout the country as part of this movement which mobilised people at a large scale. During this time, India’s urban population has grown from 6.2 cr (in 1951) to 49.3 cr (in 2021). And this number is likely to increase rapidly in the coming years according to World Cities’ Report 2022. Which means our governments need to strengthen cities.
This year also was the year of regrowth and rebuilding. After two years of debilitating loss due to the COVID-19 virus, 2022 gave us a chance to continue towards the path of recovery, growth and development. The World Bank recently commended India for the way its economy is growing post-COVID. In light of the economy’s relative resilience to external challenges and “a solid out-turn” in the second quarter of the current financial year, the World Bank increased its GDP growth prediction for India during financial year 2023 (FY23) to 6.9 per cent from 6.5. Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank’s Country Director in India has said, “India’s economy has been remarkably resilient to the deteriorating external environment, and strong macroeconomic fundamentals have placed it in good stead compared to other emerging market economies.” He’s also stressed on the need to exercise caution as adverse international developments are still ongoing.
Environmental challenges have been a global problem for many years now, but this year finally the world took notice of its gravity and committed in real terms to fighting climate change. The annual Climate Change conference COP27 held in Sharm el-Sheikh this year was a momentous occasion in that respect where countries of the world came together to establish a climate fund for developing nations grappling with climate disasters. The United Nations General Assembly even declared a clean environment a human right. While the resolution may not be binding, it is hoped that countries of the world will be moved towards adopting this in their constitutions.
The coming year will see India’s G20 presidency. Hosting the G20 summit is an important event for India amidst a tumultuous geopolitical climate since it is a challenging feat on diplomatic and political fronts. The year finally ends with the threat of another wave of COVID-19 looming on the horizon. If the reports from China are anything to go by, we need to buckle up for the new year indeed!
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