Assertion: The first seven five year plans gave importance to self-re...
- Self-reliance: A nation can promote economic growth and modernisation by using its own resources or by using resources imported from other nations. The first seven five year plans gave importance to self-reliance which means avoiding imports of those goods which could be produced in India itself.
- This policy was considered a necessity in order to reduce our dependence on foreign countries, especially for food. It is understandable that people who were recently freed from foreign domination should give importance to self-reliance.
- Further, it was feared that dependence on imported food supplies, foreign technology and foreign capital may make India’s sovereignty vulnerable to foreign interference in our policies.
Assertion: The first seven five year plans gave importance to self-re...
Assertion: The first seven five year plans gave importance to self-reliance which means avoiding imports of those goods which could be produced in India itself
Reason: It was feared that dependence on imported food supplies, foreign technology and foreign capital may make India’s sovereignty vulnerable to foreign interference in our policies.
The correct answer is option 'A' - Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
Importance of self-reliance in the first seven five year plans:
- The first seven five year plans in India, which were implemented from 1951 to 1991, focused on the goal of achieving economic self-reliance.
- Self-reliance, also known as 'Atmanirbharta', aimed at reducing dependence on imports and promoting domestic production of goods.
- The plans emphasized the development of industries, agriculture, and infrastructure to make India self-sufficient in various sectors.
Reason for giving importance to self-reliance:
- The reason behind the emphasis on self-reliance was the fear that dependence on imported goods, foreign technology, and foreign capital could make India vulnerable to foreign interference in its policies.
- During the pre-independence period, India had been under British colonial rule, and the economy was largely controlled by foreign powers.
- The leaders of independent India wanted to break free from this dependence and establish a self-reliant and sovereign nation.
- Importing essential goods, such as food supplies, from foreign countries would make India dependent on them for its basic needs, which could be a threat to its sovereignty.
- Similarly, reliance on foreign technology and capital could lead to the exploitation of India's resources and the manipulation of its policies by foreign powers.
Implementation of self-reliance:
- To achieve self-reliance, the first seven five year plans focused on industrialization, promoting domestic industries, and adopting import substitution strategies.
- Import substitution aimed at producing goods domestically that were previously imported, thereby reducing dependence on foreign countries.
- The plans also emphasized the development of indigenous technology and the promotion of small-scale industries to create employment opportunities and strengthen the domestic economy.
Conclusion:
The first seven five year plans gave importance to self-reliance to reduce dependence on imports and make India economically strong and sovereign. The fear of foreign interference in policies due to reliance on imported goods, foreign technology, and capital was a valid reason for emphasizing self-reliance.