Politics Of Planned Development

The correct answer is (D): (A), (B), (E) Only

The First Five Year Plan (1951-56) sought to get the country's economy out of the cycle of poverty. The First Five Year Plan addressed, mainly, the agrarian sector including investment in dams and irrigation. The Plan identified the pattern of land distribution in the country as the principal obstacle in the way of agricultural growth. It focused on land reforms as the key to the country’s development. One of the basic aims of the planners was to raise the level of national income, which could be possible only if the people saved more money than they spent.

The Atal Innovation Mission, an initiative aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across India, is indeed a flagship program of NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, plays a pivotal role in the development of India by providing strategic and technical advice on a variety of areas including the promotion of innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Atal Innovation Mission is designed to cultivate an environment of scientific research and innovation, supporting start-ups, and modernizing educational practices to promote creative skills in students.

Therefore, the correct answer is: NITI Aayog.

The Second Five Year Plan in India was a significant framework focusing on the country's industrialization and economic growth. This plan prioritized the rapid expansion of industries, particularly heavy industries, with a view to lay a strong foundation for the country's self-reliant economy.

The architect of the Second Five Year Plan was P.C. Mahalanobis. He played a pivotal role in shaping the plan and is renowned for introducing the 'Mahalanobis Model,' which emphasized the importance of investing in heavy industries to achieve long-term economic progress.

The plan, spanning from 1956 to 1961, was instrumental in shaping India's economy, and P.C. Mahalanobis' contributions provided a scientific approach to economic planning during that period.

Thus, the correct answer is P.C. Mahalanobis.

The Second Five Year Plan, implemented in India from 1956 to 1961, primarily focused on developing heavy industries. This strategic move aimed to lay a strong foundation for industrialization by emphasizing sectors that require substantial capital and contribute significantly to economic growth, such as steel, machine-building, and electricity.

In contrast, the infrastructure mentioned, such as electricity, railways, and steel, required massive investments and long gestation periods, which were beyond the capacity of the private sector at that time. Hence, such industries were predominantly promoted and developed by the public sector, not the private sector. The state took the lead to ensure rapid industrialization.

Therefore, the analysis of the statements leads to the conclusion that:

• Statement I is correct, reflecting the historical emphasis on heavy industries during the Second Five Year Plan.
• Statement II is incorrect as it inaccurately attributes the promotion of key infrastructure sectors to the private sector, whereas these were primarily developed by the public sector.

Thus, the correct choice is: Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.

The individual known as the "Milkman of India" is Verghese Kurien. He played a pivotal role in the transformation of India's dairy industry through the White Revolution, which significantly increased milk production in the country.

Verghese Kurien's revolutionary strategies in dairy farming and cooperative management led to the success of the Amul brand and laid the foundation for the proliferation of milk cooperatives across India. As a result, India became one of the largest producers of milk in the world, enhancing the livelihood of millions of rural dairy farmers.