INDIA RISING -OH REALLY?

AS I SIT DOWN TO plan my 50th column for BW Businessworld, my first concern is about the topic.

- Krishan Kalra

Although, majority of my columns have been on the 'Sustainability' and 'Inclusivity' themes, I have often written on other subjects too. In fact, my very first column (BW 19 November 2022) was titled 'India Continues to March Ahead' and later I did two more on this difficult subject; 'Soft Sheen to India Shining'(13 January 2024) and India Continues its Steady March towards Holistic Growth' (9 March 2024).

I call it "difficult" because our country's complexities and paradoxes are mind-boggling and unique. A very large democracy treading the path of growth virtually from scratch after 200 years of being colonised by the British and total demolition of our industry, commerce, agriculture, education system and even heritage was never easy.

Thanks to the vision of our founding fathers and dedicated work of successive governments - including huge achievements and some inevitable failures - today we sit on the cusp of an era of sustained rapid growth, higher than any other country in the world! And if we can maintain the pace, we can look forward to achieving, as the prime minister says, a 'Viksit Bharat'; joining the league of developed countries by 2047, when we celebrate the first century of our Independence.

'Where to Start' was another issue but what better than the PM's "clarion call" at the ET World Leaders Forum'in end August. He called it "A Lift-Off Decade for India" leaving no doubt about the government's resolve to ensure that all gains so far are consolidated and private sector energised to be equal partners in growth. He has set his eyes on making the country a "global manufacturing hub"; and assured that the "government will continue to modernise and expand physical as well as social infrastructure and steadily advancing reforms". He also added that "A prosperous India can pave the way for global prosperity".

We Have Arrived at the Global High Table