Awakening of India - 1947

[A/N: Quite a fitting chapter, I mean, what are the odds]

New Delhi – Prime Minister's Office, South Block – August 15th, 1948

The morning sun cast long shadows across the lawns of South Block, its golden rays falling upon a nation that bore little resemblance to the one that had emerged from the chaos of partition exactly one year ago.

It was August 15th, 1948, the first anniversary of independence, and it arrived not with the tentative hope of a newborn nation, but with the quiet confidence of a power that had already begun to reshape it's surroundings.

Outside, the celebrations were different this year. Gone were the desperate cheers of a people clinging to freedom, and in their place was the steady pride of citizens who had watched their country seize victory from the jaws of catastrophe.

The tricolor flew high over a nation that was not merely free, but unified, victorious, and now permanently seated at the world's most powerful table.

Inside Prime Minister Arjun's office, the atmosphere was intense with a sense of purpose. Today, on the eve of India's first Independence Anniversary, he had personally called upon his cabinet for a meeting.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sat with his characteristic stoic composure, while Finance Minister Vishwajeet Rao Kelkar shuffled through documents that told the story of a nation's economic transformation.

Planning Minister G.B. Pant's usually stern expression carried a hint of satisfaction, and Education Minister Narahari D. Parikh seemed almost excited about the progress in his domain.

But they weren't the only ones that were called.

The military chiefs were equally impressive. General Cariappa's uniform was crisp, his bearing that of a man who had overseen the complete integration of territories many thought impossible to hold.

Admiral Katari's presence spoke to India's newfound maritime dominance, while Director Sharma of the Intelligence Bureau sat quietly, his unassuming demeanor hiding the efforts with which he had put to reshaped the nation's security landscape from shadows.

Arjun began, his voice cutting through the morning air with characteristic precision. "Gentlemen, precisely one year ago, India embarked on its tryst with destiny. Some called it a chaotic birth, but here we are after 1 year, becoming one of the more significant of the nations around the world.

And today, we assess what that birth has produced."

He turned first to General Cariappa, whose report would set the tone for everything that followed.

"Prime Minister, Sardar-ji," Cariappa began, rising from his chair, "the integration of all territories acquired during Operation Bharat Shakti has exceeded our most optimistic projections.

Jammu and Kashmir and Gandhara, is fully under our administrative control.

The last resistance cells, those who had gone into hiding after the initial operations, were neutralized completely the previous month."

He paused, allowing the weight of that achievement to sink in. "East Bengal, Luvpur, Samudrapuri, and the buffer zones are fully administered by our military governors.

The Border Security Force has operationalized along our entire new western frontier, and the 30-50 KM buffer zone is established and strictly monitored.

Our second batch of BSF personnel are currently training in mountainous terrain for deployment along our northern borders. Prime Minister, our borders are more secure than they have ever been in our history."

Admiral Katari stood next, his report carrying the satisfaction of a man who had watched India's maritime power grow exponentially.

"Prime Minister, Samudrapuri Port, now designated 'Swarn Dwaar' in our internal naval communications, has become the crown jewel of our western naval infrastructure. Its capacity has already quadrupled through preliminary dredging and new docking facilities.

It serves as our primary western naval base, projecting power across the Arabian Sea."

His expression grew almost imperceptibly pleased. "Our control over the Sindh and Balochistan coastlines can be considered absolute.

And the Humanitarian Aid Corridor through Balochistan has proven...immensely productive. The gold bullion payments for aid convoys have flowed steadily from both the Islamic bloc and Western nations."

Vishwajeet Rao Kelkar leaned forward, his financial reports painting a picture of transformation that would have seemed impossible just months earlier.

"Prime Minister, our national gold reserves have seen remarkable growth. From 275 tons at independence, we now hold 590 tons, little more than double, in just four months. At this rate, we might even approach the 800-ton mark by October's end."

The numbers were staggering.

"In addition, our National Reconstruction Fund remains robust."

At this time, T. T. Krishnamachari, the Minister of Industries, joined in. "That's right, Prime Minister. The first major shipments of industrial machinery and capital goods from the UK, US, and USSR began arriving in July and August, precisely as scheduled.

British heavy machinery for ports and railway modernization is being offloaded in Calcutta, American agricultural technology is being distributed to pilot farms in Punjab, and Soviet engineers for steel plants have just arrived in the central region.

The public-private joint ventures that you had mandated are now fully operational. Our industrialists, following your clear directives, have pooled together the resources with their respective foreign partners.

Preliminary reports indicate that several initial manufacturing units for textiles and light engineering are already exceeding the initial estimated production targets, laying the groundwork for our low-cost industrial hub strategy with the Americans."

G.B. Pant's contribution carried the weight of long-term planning.

"Prime Minister, like mentioned in earlier reports, the initial surveys for urban redevelopment projects in our major cities are underway, involving our top planners. We anticipate a 4 to 5-year planning phase before major construction begins, allowing us to fully absorb the foreign expertise arriving."

His voice dropped slightly, carrying the weight of secrets that only a few in the room fully understood.

"More significantly, the Ashoka Group, under its covert 'Pragati Core,' has made substantial progress. The selection process for our 12,000 scientists, engineers, and metallurgists is near complete.

I have personally chosen the division heads myself, so as to ensure that the process can work without any hiccups. The foundational Layer 1 divisions - Vajra, Tejas, Rasaayan, Jwala, Bhumi - are all in nascent stages of operation, laying the groundwork for true self-reliance.

They will be utilizing the conceptual blueprints that you had provided, through 'Pragati Core', for reverse engineering and independent development.

Also, as an added security measure, all the senior lead scientists will be required to thoroughly research the working and main principle of the given manuals and blueprints, so that they can be destroyed later on to prevent any leaks. "

Arjun's eyes flickered with immense satisfaction. This was the hidden engine that would power India's future dominance.

Next was Narahari D. Parikh, who spoke with the quiet pride of an educator who had seen impossible dreams begin to take shape.

"Prime Minister, the free compulsory education decree up to age of 14 has been soft-launched in selected rural districts.

The Provisional Learning Outposts (PLOs) are functioning effectively, and the Citizen Reserve Corps Directorate has mobilized thousands of educated youths to train as teachers and assist in school construction."

His report grew more detailed as he warmed to his subject.

"Initial results on attendance and literacy are highly encouraging.

The Bureau of Religious Institution Oversight has begun quiet integration of madrasas and missionary schools, with minor resistance once the benefits of modern curriculum and state support were demonstrated.

Though, they eventually yielded, when 'certain' consequences of not following an official decree were revealed to them. The Majority Respect Doctrine is also being subtly woven into all new textbooks."

The room's attention shifted as Arjun's gaze settled on Director Sharma. "And the less visible aspects, Director? The ideological and security fronts?"

Sharma's voice was flat, efficient, carrying the weight of actions that would never appear in public records.

"Prime Minister, the organizations you mandated for removal, the Muslim League (India), CPI, Khaksar, Majlis-e-Ahrar, Tablighi Jamaat, have, for all practical purposes, ceased to exist, permanently.

After they were sidelined initially, we ensured that would disappear for good. Their leaderships are now erased, and their networks have been thoroughly dissolved.

There have been no significant public inquiries into their disappearance. Our National Publicity Unit has ensured that narratives of national unity and victory dominate public discourse. They're now effectively be termed as 'ghosts' that don't exists anymore."

His report continued with bureaucratic precision. "The Intelligence Bureau has expanded its monitoring capabilities significantly, ensuring that any nascent ideological threats are identified and addressed with extreme efficiency.

And R&AW is slowly taking shape, with our new recruits effectively leading the way. I estimate that by next year or so, R&AW can completely replace IB in the international matters."

Finally, Arjun turned to Patel, whose political acumen had been instrumental in shaping the new order. "And how's the political architecture coming along, Sardar-ji? The Bharatiya Jana Dal?"

Patel allowed himself a rare, almost imperceptible smile. "It's coming along beautifully, Prime Minister. Bhartiya Jana Dal has already taken the shape.

They're planning to hold their first public demonstration later this year, where they will announce themselves as the Opposition party, who will be the voice for people who thinks that Congress's centralist policies are coming at the expense of our culture."

Arjun stood, walking to the large window that overlooked the South Block lawns. A year. A single year had transformed a fragmented, traumatized subcontinent into a unified, victorious, and rapidly modernizing nation.

The military was more coordinated, the economy was being rewired, education was being revolutionized, and the political landscape was being meticulously crafted.

The view from his window showed a nation at peace, but Arjun saw something far more significant, he saw the foundation of a civilization that would eventually reshape the world order itself.

"Gentlemen," he said, turning to face his cabinet, his voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty, "Our first phase is done. We have laid the foundations and have secured the borders. We have begun to forge the very soul of India.

The next phase will be about accelerating our industrial revolution, consolidating our diplomatic influence, and ensuring that this new India, our Bharat, rises to its undisputed place as a dominant global power."

He paused, letting his words sink in before delivering his final assessment. "The clock continues to tick, and we have much more work to do.

But today, on this first anniversary, we can be proud to say with certainty that we have not merely survived our birth, no, but we have thrived.

Today, the others see that India is not just another nation among many."

The future was clear and unyielding in Arjun's mind, and it was unfolding exactly as he had planned.

Outside, the celebrations continued, but inside that room, the architects of a new world order were already planning their next moves.