Years Ending With 57 And Indian History

YEARS ENDING WITH 57 AND INDIAN HISTORY

It may be a coincidence but years ending with 57 seem to have a very significant place in Indian History.
1757-East India Company defeats the ruler of Bengal in the battle of Plassey and makes its position strong in India.

1857-Sepoy Mutiny-first war of Indian independence.

1957-Second General Election -Mr. Sukumar Sen-Election Commissioner.

The period between 1947 and 1957 was traumatic in many ways. True, India got its Independence from the British rule of 200 years but the cost was heavy:

1. Partition of the country based on religion.

2. Refugees.

3. Kashmir war

4. National integration-bringing over 500 small states under one Flag.

5. General Elections.

6. Making Constitution for the country.

If all this was not enough there were:-

1. Independence of Goa from Portuguese occupation.

2. Independence of Pondicherry from French occupation.

3. DMK Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founded by EVRamaswamy Naicker as Periyar (great man) asking for a separate nation as Dravida Nadu

4. Communist party of India under EMS Namboodiripad under Russian influence in Kerala.

5. Kashmir -Sheikh Abdullah of NC dreaming of making Kashmir East Switzerland an independent nation.

6.Nagaland - Phiso of NNC Naga National Council asking for a separate nation.

7.Jharkhand- Jaipal Singh of Jharkhand party for a separate state of Jharkhand State.

8. Reconstruction of states based on language.

Handling all this was not an easy task but the teamwork of Nehru, Patel, Azad, and others under the guidance of Gandhi made it possible. Unfortunately, Gandhi was killed in 1948 and Patel died in 1950 leaving a huge vacuum. Somehow all issues were solved one by one. More importantly, democracy got its firm roots in the country after two successive general elections.

No one can say what is in store in 2057 but God willing all will be okay. Many of us will certainly not there to watch but I am sure India will go from strength to strength. The Preamble of our constitution will make it possible.