The Situation of India during the 1960s:
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India faced a severe food shortage after facing two consecutive years of drought.
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India was forced to accept US aid. India at that time neither supported USSR nor the USA.
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Though it was the worst situation, the response of Indian leadership was exemplary.
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Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and others brought the scientific and bureaucratic communities to debates. Especially to bring a quantum leap in food production.
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The debate turned into action very soon. Within a few years, India achieved Food security.
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No one imagined that India from such a dreadful situation will achieve food security this fast.
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The Green Revolution stands out in Indian history even today.
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It is the display of extraordinary accountability of political leadership, combined ability to resolve an issue from bureaucrat and Scientific community.
Advantages for present India vis-à-vis 1960s:
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In March 2020, India faced a similar problem on health infrastructure.
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To improve the medical capability and delay the Covid-19 spread India imposed lockdown at very short notice.
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But India has certain advantages at present when compared to the situation in 1960. Such as:
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At present, India has a better industrial base, compared to the 1960s.
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Certain parts of India actually have a surplus of oxygen. They can help to fulfil urgent demands.
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India has an enormous foreign exchange reserve at present. This was not the case in the 1960s.
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So, India is in a better position to import some crucial medical inputs such as vaccines.
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