India is gearing up for its 76th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2025, marking a historic occasion filled with pride, patriotism, and cultural richness. This annual event showcases the nation's diversity, unity, and strength. On this auspicious occasion, it is worth reflecting on the socio-economic, religious, and political scenario in the country.

Indians always consider foreign countries as "green pastures," and hence, the migration level is on the increase. About 4500 high-net-worth individuals left India during 2024. These are the people who can set up their businesses and give jobs to lakhs of people in India. But they are now boosting the economies of those countries. As per the available data, about 17 lakh Indians have given up their Indian citizenship in the past 10 years.

Another shocking news is that there are more than seven lakh Indians who have gone to the US through illegal entries. A newspaper report says that 10 Indians per hour have tried to enter the US illegally in the last year, and 90 thousand Indians have been arrested. President Trump's "deportation decision" has really shattered the dreams of millions of Indians in the US who have no legal documents or are on temporary visas.

In this scenario, a group of NRIs sent a letter to their Indian friend with Republic Day wishes and enquired about the present situation in India. The reply of the Indian friend is given below:

"Hello friends, all of you left India with a negative mindset that India is not a worthy place to live. You all went away with bitter experiences in India. Your query is a clear indication of your desire to come back. I understand that you are in a dilemma whether to come back to India or to stay back where you are. I am thrilled to inform you that there have been a lot of positive changes in India. Today, we are happy to live in a new and incredible India. 

Our Prime Minister Modi is considered a "Vishwaguru" and a world leader. Why? Modi and his party won a thumping victory and formed the government for the third time. Many world leaders seek Modi's guidance as he has done post-graduation in "Entire Political Science." Also, Modi claims to be non-biological and that he is sent by Paramatma (God). A vast majority of Indians consider him a "God-man" who is all-powerful and will rule the country for many more years. 

When you all left India, you found development taking place at a snail's pace. But today, India has already emerged as a "Vikasit Bharat," a developed nation. I wish to highlight some critical areas of development. 

1.    Today, we have built skyscraper buildings everywhere, and the slums have almost vanished. The Central Vista and the Ayodhya Temple are worthy of being counted among the wonders of the world. 
2.    Our highways have 4/6/8/10-lane tracks that connect the remote towns and cities in the country. Our roads are of world-class quality, and no one can spot a crack or pothole anywhere. 
3.    We have superb transportation facilities. Low-cost airlines, high-tech buses, Vandebharat, and Bullet trains connect all major cities. Travel has become safer and faster. Road, rail, and air accidents rarely happen.
4.    Problems like unemployment and inflation do not exist. The percentage of higher-income groups has increased, and the standard of living has improved drastically. The purchasing power of the people has also gone up.
5.    All our educational institutions—schools, colleges, universities, and technical institutes—have become centres of excellence. We teach ancient Indian technology. The examination system is leak-proof and corruption-free. We take pride in achieving 100 per cent academic results. Great scholars, scientists, doctors, and engineers emerge from our educational institutions.
6.    "Brain-drain" rarely happens. All the educated people, as good and responsible citizens, make constructive contributions to the country. 
7.    The "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" (Save and Educate the Girl Child) scheme has been one of the most successful schemes. All the girl children have attained basic literacy.
8.    Under the banner of a globalised economy, multinational companies have set up and continue to set up their manufacturing units in various parts of the country. The "Make in India" scheme has made us completely self-dependent. 
9.    Our national and religious leaders do not use God and religion to divide people. They never exploit the ignorance of simple people but rather guide them in their spiritual lives. They preach about human values in public and lead exemplary lives.
10.    Today, we control science and technology and their inventions. Our space research supersedes that of other countries. We use highly sophisticated electronic communication gadgets and systems. 
11.    Food production has increased manyfold. World-class technology is used in the agriculture sector. Farmers and farm labourers get the maximum benefits, and the government meets every rightful demand of the farmers without any hassle.
12.    The healthcare system is of international standard. The vast majority of the population can access these medical facilities. The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) are almost nil. Starvation deaths rarely happen.
13.    The Indian judiciary is prompt, and justice is given without delay. Our judges and lawyers are found to be clean. They cannot be manipulated by any political party or the ruling government.
14.    Today, "Unity in Diversity" is cherished. Communal harmony is promoted everywhere. The spirituality of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is upheld. 
15.    We are proud of our vast geography and natural resources (Jal, Jungle, Jameen—Water, Forest, Land, etc.). A few selected corporations cannot plunder these resources. The majority of the population has easy access to these resources. Ecological balance is maintained.
16.    The four pillars of democracy – Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Media - are intact. 
17.    The election system in India is considered the best in the world. The duly elected political party becomes the custodian of the Constitution and ensures good governance. No politician can buy people's votes through freebies or money. Horse trading never happens. No political party can make a back-door entry and capture power. Corporate-politician-criminal networking does not exist anymore. 
18.    The ruling party treats all opposition parties with great respect. The ruling government takes the views and suggestions of the opposition parties well in Parliament.
19.    The ruling government maintains all public-sector enterprises, which are all profit-yielding. The government has established many new public-sector undertakings, and no greedy corporation can buy any public-sector entity.
20.    The Indian rupee has become almost equivalent to the US dollar, and the Indian Passport is competing with the Passport of Singapore.
21.    Various high-budget development schemes are prepared for rural areas, as the government prioritises them. Hence, almost all villages have beyond the basic infrastructure. Integrated development is taking place in all sectors.
22.    Our Security Forces—the Army, Air Force, and Navy—protect our country. Our borders are well-guarded and intact. Due to the excellent security systems, drugs, fake currencies, and gold cannot be smuggled into India. 
23.    Today, our banks use high-tech, computerised security systems and lockers. Robbers can never break open the lockers or ATM machines, so there is real security for our money in the banks.
24.    Another good news is that all the corporates and businesses that duped our banks and escaped to foreign countries have been returned and repaid the money they owed. 
25.    We have a tradition of revering women, and we worship Goddesses. We have named many rivers with female names. We consider the country as 'Mother India.' Female infanticides, women trafficking, forced prostitution, wife beatings, dowry deaths, eve-teasing, and rapes of young girls/women never take place. The country has become a safe place for women to live with dignity.
26.    Soon, India will be ranked number one on the World Happiness Index with a score never seen before.

So, friends, why do you hesitate? Please come back to experience the incredible paradise that is India!!!"