Vol. 1971No. 304The dramatic seventies
The India you were born into
Sunday31 October1971
31 October 1971 offers a small historical doorway — roads and railways, set against a country where the Bangladesh crisis, war and a huge humanitarian emergency dominated India's national story.
Change dateThe Front Page
India faces change and challenge
Security, food production and development define the decade
India was navigating regional conflict, political change and economic development during a transformative period.
Gandhi Sadan was handed over to nation.
Gandhi Sadan was handed over to nation.
India in Numbers
A snapshot of India when you were born.
In october 1971, a litre of petrol cost Loading… and a local phone call cost Loading….
Benchmark value; verify against the original census/official source before publication. Not a census count. Source: current India population working dataset.
Prices from the month you were born, listed the way the kirana shop would have written them.
- The Hindu archive
- National archival records
- Press and public memory
04 · Sport
India on the field in 1971
Moment of the year · Hockey
India competes in the first men's Hockey World Cup
India was among the participants at the inaugural World Cup.
197105 · Cinema & music
What India was watching and humming
The film everyone queued for that month, and the song that played from every cassette player that year.
HAATHI MERE SAATHI
Year 1971
Film of the year · 1971
Haathi Mere Saathi
Also in theatresAnand · Andaz · Caravan · Mera Gaon Mera Desh · Kati Patang · Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Song of the year · 1971
"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana"
Also on the radio"Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai" · "Chookar Mere Man Ko" · "Raina Beeti Jaye"
$ cat science-and-technology-1971
Satellites, television and national communications
What science and technology looked like in India in 1971.
Technology moves closer to daily life
Computing, communication and consumer electronics were gradually moving from specialist institutions toward ordinary homes, offices and public life.
Faces of 1971
Indira Gandhi
Led India through the Bangladesh Liberation War, defeating Pakistan and securing a landslide election win on the 'Garibi Hatao' platform.
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
Planned and executed the Indian Armed Forces' victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War leading to Bangladesh's creation.
Jagjivan Ram
Served as Defence Minister during the 1971 war, coordinating military logistics and civil administration.
Sunil Gavaskar
Scored 774 runs in his debut Test series against the West Indies, creating a world record for a debutant.
Vikram Sarabhai
Passed away on 30 December after building the foundation for India's space and nuclear programs.
Amitabh Bachchan
Won critical recognition for his co-starring role alongside Rajesh Khanna in 'Anand'.
09 · BEYOND INDIA
Beyond India
Before the internet put the world in our pockets, news from abroad arrived through telegrams, radios, television sets and eventually phones.
United Arab Emirates is formed
3 DEC
Six emirates form the United Arab Emirates, with Ras Al Khaimah joining shortly afterward.
1971, circled in red
The year India turned 24.