With just a week to go to enter into the New Year, there's much to look forward to. But looking back at the year that was, apart from the many rape cases, racist attacks, murders and political tiffs, there were also moments that made us proud to be Indians. Following is the list of top 5 proudest moments for India in 2014.
Kailash Satyarthi receives Nobel Peace Prize
Child rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi, who founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. He shared it with Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai, an education activist. This is was indeed a proud moment for India!
Also Read: Nobel peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi calls for global action to end child slavery
Mangalyaan reaches Mars orbit
ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission is a resounding success, making India the first country to be successful on its maiden attempt. Nicknamed as 'MOM', it was launched on November 5, 2013 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and the cost was around Rs 450 crore, making it the cheapest Mars Mission in the world. Post the launch, India has joined a small club of nations - the U.S, Russia and those in the European Space Agency - to have mastered this mission.
Also Read: ISRO successfully places Mangalyaan in Mars' orbit; India makes space history
Achievements at Asian Games
At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Indian sportspersons made us proud by clinching 11 Gold, 9 silver and 37 bronze medals. Jitu Rai for 50m Pistol, the Archery team, Men Squash team, Men and Women Kabaddi teams, Mary Kom in the 51 kg boxing , Sania Mirza and Saketh Sai for Mixed Tennis Doubles, Seema Punia for Discus throw, Women's 4x400m Relay team, Yogeshwar Dutta for wrestling and Men's Hockey team bagged the 11 Gold medals for the country.
Also Read: Asian Games 2014: India finish with 57 medals
Bharat Ratna Award
In February 2014, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and scientist Professor CNR Rao were conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Bharta Ratna for his exemplary contribution to the field of cricket for 24 years. Professor CNR Rao, an Indian Scientist, was conferred with this prestigious award for his contribution in the filed of Chemistry.
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first sportsperson to be awarded the Bharat Ratna
High voter turnout
The country recorded the highest voter turnout in the General Elections this year, proving that democracy is alive and kicking in India. The national voter turnout was 66.4% which was the highest in the history of the country. It also highlighted that citizens are increasingly aware of their rights and duties and exercised their right of universal franchise in large numbers.
Also Read: 2014 Lok Sabha elections: India betters its record with 66.38 percent voter turnout
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