The UPA government headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh steps into the third year of its second term today.

A programme has been arranged at the Prim Minister’s residence to mark the occasion.

The ability to arrest the impact of the global economic crisis, defeat of the Left Front in West Bengal after 34 years by Congress-Trinamool Congress alliance and electoral victory in Assam are some of the achievements UPA can take credit for.

The Prime Minister maintained the growth momentum and declared a projected 8.5-9 per cent growth rate over the next fiscal.

Internationally also, things have been encouraging. In the eyes of global leaders and investors, the country is “coming of age”.

A number of global leaders have acclaimed India as a responsible, rising power, inviting to take the seat at big table of world affairs. The UPA Government also faced criticism on several issues.

But whether the issue were rising inflation, charges of corruption, price rise and terrorism, Dr Singh managed to pull through the turbulent times in the face of stiff opposition criticism.

The year ahead is a challenging one as elections in several states including Uttar Pradesh are scheduled.