Content:
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Future Ready: India’s Digital Economy to Contribute One-Fifth of National Income by 2029-30
Lala Lajpat Rai
Context : Prime Minister pays tributes to Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary.
Relevance : GS 1(Modern History ), GS 4(Ethics ), Facts for Prelims .
Early Life and Education
- Born on 28 January 1865 in Dhudike, Punjab.
- Father: Munshi Radha Krishan Azad, a scholar of Persian and Urdu.
- Mother: Gulab Devi, deeply religious and influenced his early thinking.
- Studied at Government College, Lahore .
- Inspired by Swami Dayananda Saraswati and the Arya Samaj movement.
Role in the Freedom Struggle
- Political Affiliations:
- Associated with the Indian National Congress (INC).
- Part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal) advocating extremist nationalism.
- Protested against partition of Bengal (1905) and promoted Swadeshi.
- Led protests against the Rowlatt Act (1919) and Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- Founded the Servants of the People Society (1921) to promote social work and national education.
Contribution to Nationalism
- A strong proponent of Swadeshi movement and boycott of foreign goods.
- Advocated for economic self-reliance and indigenous industry development.
- Called for Hindu-Muslim unity.
- Supported education reforms and worked for Dalit upliftment.
Simon Commission Protest (1928)
- Opposed the Simon Commission as it had no Indian members.
- Led a peaceful protest in Lahore against the Commission on 30 October 1928.
- Famous words: “Every blow on my body will prove a nail in the coffin of British rule in India.”
- Died on 17 November 1928 due to injuries sustained due to lathi charge by British police under James A. Scott.
- His death led to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev’s revenge killing of J.P. Saunders.
Social Reforms
- Worked to eradicate untouchability and caste discrimination.
- Promoted education among Indians, especially through Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) institutions.
- Supported women’s education and widow remarriage.
Literary Contributions
- Prolific writer; authored books on history, nationalism, and social issues.
- Key works:
- “The Story of My Deportation” – Account of his exile to Burma (Myanmar).
- “Young India” – Critique of British rule.
- “Unhappy India” – Response to Katherine Mayo’s book Mother India.
- “England’s Debt to India” – Highlighted India’s contribution to Britain’s economy.
Legacy
- Known as “Punjab Kesari” (Lion of Punjab) for his fearless patriotism.
- Inspired revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose.
- Several institutions named after him:
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Haryana).
- Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College (Meerut).
- Lala Lajpat Rai Institute of Engineering & Technology (Punjab).
- Statue at Parliament House, New Delhi honors his contribution.
Quotes by Lala Lajpat Rai
- “The shots that hit me are the last nails to the coffin of British rule in India.”
- “Defeat and failure are sometimes necessary steps of victory.”
- “A person should be courageous and honest in worshiping the truth, without being concerned about receiving worldly benefits.”
Future Ready: India’s Digital Economy to Contribute One-Fifth of National Income by 2029-30
The recent report “State of India’s Digital Economy 2024” highlights that India is the third-largest digitalized economy globally and ranks 12th among G20 nations in terms of individual digitalization.
By 2029-30, the digital economy is projected to contribute nearly one-fifth of India’s national income, surpassing the share of agriculture and manufacturing.
Relevance : GS 3(Digital Economy)
Size and Growth of India’s Digital Economy
- The digital economy contributed 11.74% of GDP (INR 31.64 lakh crore or USD 402 billion) in 2022-23.
- It employed 14.67 million workers, accounting for 2.55% of the workforce.
- The sector is five times more productive than the rest of the economy.
- The digitally enabling industries (ICT services, electronic components, and communication equipment) contributed 7.83% of Gross Value Added (GVA).
- Digital platforms and intermediaries added 2% of GVA, while digitalization of traditional sectors (BFSI, retail, education) contributed another 2% of GVA.
- By 2029-30, the digital economy’s share is projected to grow to 20% of GVA, overtaking agriculture and manufacturing.
Sectoral Impact of Digitalization
- Banking & Financial Services (BFSI):
- Over 95% of payment transactions are digital.
- Revenue-generating activities like loans and investments remain largely offline.
- Retail:
- Increasing adoption of omni-channel models with e-commerce firms opening physical stores.
- AI-powered inventory management and chatbot-driven customer service are improving efficiency.
- Education:
- Shift towards hybrid learning models (offline and online integration).
- Hospitality & Logistics:
- Use of AI, metaverse, and digital management tools in large firms.
- Smaller enterprises lag behind in digital adoption.
Growth Drivers
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Services: AI-driven solutions are streamlining operations across industries.
- Global Capability Centers (GCCs): India hosts 55% of the world’s GCCs, strengthening its digital workforce.
- Digital Intermediaries & Platforms: Rapid growth expected, with digital platforms anticipated to expand at 30% CAGR.
- Government Initiatives: Programs like Digital India, PM Gati Shakti, and ONDC are enabling seamless integration of technology in various sectors.
Employment Trends and Gender Inclusion
- The digital economy accounts for 2.55% of India’s workforce.
- 58.07% of jobs in the digital economy are in digital-enabling industries.
- Increased opportunities for women: Digital platforms have facilitated female workforce participation in sectors where mobility was a challenge.
Challenges & Road Ahead
Challenges
- Digital Divide: Unequal access to digital resources in rural vs. urban areas.
- Cybersecurity Risks: Rising digital transactions increase vulnerability to cyber threats.
- Skill Gap: Workforce needs upskilling in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
- Regulatory Challenges: Ensuring a balanced regulatory framework for digital platforms and AI governance.
Future Prospects
- By 2030, India’s digital economy will outpace traditional sectors, contributing one-fifth of the national income.
- Digital transformation in BFSI, retail, education, and logistics will drive economic resilience.
- Focus on AI, cloud services, and GCC expansion will be crucial for sustained growth.
