August 15, 1930. The celebrations of independence gradually subsided, replaced by the immense task of nation-building. Just as India began to find its footing as a sovereign nation, a far greater storm brewed on the global horizon. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 had plunged the world into the Great Depression, an economic cataclysm that devoured industries, shattered banks, and left millions unemployed.
While nations like Britain, the United States, and Germany grappled with unprecedented economic despair, India, under Adav's silent guidance, proved remarkably resilient. His foresight in building a robust internal market through the Bharat Infrastructure Trust and diversifying the industrial base meant India was largely insulated from the worst effects. Local demand for steel, cement, chemicals, and textiles kept factories humming. The millions employed in Adav's public works projects and the burgeoning industrial sector maintained a steady level of internal consumption.
However, India was not entirely immune. Global trade volumes plummeted, impacting India's nascent export markets. Foreign investment, once flowing in, dried up. Adav, now Prime Minister Bose's closest, albeit unofficial, advisor, meticulously tracked global economic indicators via the Codex's [Economic Simulator]. He identified key sectors that faced external pressure, immediately recommending targeted protective tariffs on non-essential imports to safeguard domestic industries. Strategic subsidies were rolled out for nascent sectors that faced stiff foreign competition, ensuring they not only survived but continued to grow, maintaining employment and bolstering the domestic economy against the global tide. India, while feeling the ripple, did not plunge into the abyss.