Bhopal: Wednesday, October , 2024, The journey of Madhya Pradesh’s development tells a remarkable tale, taking us back to the census of 1911, an insightful report prepared by ICS officer J.C. Martin, the Superintendent of Census Operations for the Central Provinces and Berar. This era saw Berar integrated into the Central Provinces, bringing together eight British districts, four from Berar, and 15 princely states, making this the fifth census that began on March 10, 1911. Over 100,000 personnel, including 91,770 enumerators and 8,422 supervisors, covered a vast area of 131,000 square miles with a population of 16 million, equivalent to about 7.3% of British India’s total land area. This territory eventually evolved into what we now call Madhya Pradesh, formerly part of Central Provinces and Berar.
The 1911 Census Report provides fascinating literacy statistics. A total of 27 newspapers in languages like Hindi, English, Marathi, and Gujarati reached a circulation of 10,627. In addition, 640 books across languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, and Tamil were published. Secondary schools numbered 444, with an enrollment of 53,308 students, while primary schools counted 3,865, educating 277,620 children. Literacy was scarce, with only one in 30 individuals able to read. English literacy was even rarer, with 55 men and five women per 10,000 speaking English, mostly in regions like Nagpur, Jabalpur, Sagar, and Amravati, where English officers were stationed. Between 1901 and 1910, about 562 miles of railway track was laid, employing over 36,367 people.
### The Formation of Madhya Pradesh
As independence approached, calls for state reorganization grew, emphasizing language, culture, and administration. The States Reorganization Commission was formed on December 29, 1953, chaired by Justice Syed Fazl Ali, with members H.N. Kunzru and K.M. Panikkar. Their report on September 30, 1955, recommended restructuring based on regional balance, unity, language, resources, and national growth. This led to the Ninth Amendment in 1956, consolidating Central Provinces and Berar’s Marathi-speaking regions into Maharashtra, leaving Madhya Pradesh with 43 districts, later re-divided to form 45 districts.
Development continued with Chhattisgarh’s creation in 2000, marking another milestone. Madhya Pradesh embraced new fields like information technology, utilizing innovative governance techniques to make public services more accessible and citizen-focused.
### A Dynamic Journey of Growth
From 1956 to the present, Madhya Pradesh has undergone extensive transformation. Digital advancements have touched every aspect of life, driving both urban and rural infrastructural changes. Despite population growth and climate challenges, development remains steady. Population figures highlight this: in 1961, it stood at 32.37 million.
Today, Madhya Pradesh’s economy has surged, with GDP rising from ₹71,594 crores in 2003 to ₹13,63,327 crores now. Per capita income has jumped from ₹261 in 1956 to ₹1,42,565. Agricultural progress, backed by improved irrigation and electricity access, has transformed the economy, positioning Madhya Pradesh as a leader in agro-entrepreneurship and international exports of wheat, rice, and pulses.
A significant revenue growth story has emerged, ranking Madhya Pradesh among the top five GST-collecting states. From power shortages to becoming a surplus state, Madhya Pradesh has advanced swiftly in renewable energy.
Under Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, a series of Regional Industry Conclaves has been held across cities like Ujjain, Jabalpur, and Sagar. Roadshows in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata have attracted investment proposals totaling ₹2,76,000 crores, creating an estimated 398,000 jobs in the state.
### A Future-Ready Madhya Pradesh
With stronger infrastructure and steady growth, Madhya Pradesh is accelerating its progress. Transportation links now span across the country, with recent airport expansions bringing the total to six. In 1956, the state had 28,100 km of roads; today, it boasts 71,379 km, and the rail network has grown to 5,188 km.
Health services have vastly expanded, from 556 medical facilities in 1956 to over 45,000 hospital beds today. Primary schools have grown from 22,800 to 79,215, and higher secondary schools from 414 to 4,868. Electricity consumption per capita, which was 5 kWh, now stands at 1,184 kWh, making Madhya Pradesh a power-surplus state.
Industry has diversified significantly, now including food processing and information technology. These achievements underscore Madhya Pradesh’s incredible journey of growth, ready to play a vital role as India rises on the global economic stage.
Madhya Pradesh’s story is not just about development—it’s a testament to resilience, growth, and an unwavering commitment to progress.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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