Vol. 1964No. 173New nation, new ambition
The India you were born into
Sunday21 June1964
One way into 21 June 1964: environment and landscape. Behind that everyday lens sits a year in which a generational political transition followed Jawaharlal Nehru's death as India entered a new chapter.
Change dateThe Front Page
India builds its republic
Planning, institutions and democratic life shape the era
Independent India was expanding public institutions, holding elections and pursuing national development through the early Five-Year Plans.
Nava Paisa, established in 1947, was renamed as 'Paisa'.
Nava Paisa, established in 1947, was renamed as 'Paisa'.
India in Numbers
A snapshot of India when you were born.
In june 1964, a litre of petrol cost Loading… and a local phone call cost Loading….
Interpolated placeholder between benchmark years; replace with annual UN WPP estimate 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 1964
Moment of the year · Hockey
India regains Olympic hockey gold
India defeated Pakistan in the Tokyo final.
196405 · 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.
SANGAM
Year 1964
Film of the year · 1964
Sangam
Also in theatresDosti · Kashmir Ki Kali · Haqeeqat · Woh Kaun Thi? · Ayee Milan Ki Bela · Mere Sanam
Song of the year · 1964
"Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat"
Also on the radio"Dost Dost Na Raha" · "Bol Meri Taqdeer" · "Tum Kamsin Ho Nadaan Ho"
$ cat science-and-technology-1964
Television and the beginning of the space age
What science and technology looked like in India in 1964.
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 1964
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Sworn in as India's second Prime Minister following the passing of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Passed away on 27 May, concluding a 17-year premiership that built India's initial institutional democratic framework.
Satyajit Ray
Released 'Charulata', which won him the Silver Bear for Best Director in Berlin.
Homi J. Bhabha
Represented India at global atomic energy conferences, affirming nuclear non-alignment.
Vikram Sarabhai
Accelerated setup of satellite communication ground stations across India.
Dilip Kumar
Starred in 'Leader', a prominent socio-political drama release.
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.
China conducts its first nuclear test
16 OCT
China detonates its first atomic bomb at Lop Nur.
1964, circled in red
The year India turned 17.