India at 78 Technology Triumphs, Strengthen Inclusive Growth and take all people together.

   India at 78: Technology Triumphs,  Strengthen Inclusive Growth and take all people together

As India stands on the threshold of its 78th Independence Day, we celebrate not just our political freedom, but the resilience of our democracy—tested by wars, economic crises, natural calamities, and pandemics, yet always rising. A country of immense diversity—religious, linguistic, cultural, economic—India has remained united and forward-looking, thanks in large part to the enduring strength of its democratic institutions.

And yet, for all its promise and potential, India’s journey toward becoming a truly developed, inclusive and equitable nation needs intensified attention and focused employment oriented growth and fair distribution of wealth.  

A Digital Revolution Without an Economic Evolution

India’s phenomenal success in digitisation—be it the Aadhaar identity platform, the UPI payments ecosystem, GST networks, or Digital India initiatives—has been hailed as a global model. But the question we must now ask is: why has this digital transformation not translated into proportional economic prosperity for all?

Despite the sophistication of our digital infrastructure, we continue to witness:

• Rising inequality between the rich and the poor,

• Persisting unemployment and underemployment,

• Regional disparities in development,

• A significant informal economy evading the net of accountability,

• And institutions burdened with inefficiencies, leakages, and politicisation.

The answer is clear: technology alone cannot transform a nation unless it is anchored in enlightened governance, institutional integrity, and a unified national vision.

Time to Think, Rethink, and Reform

As we look to the milestone of 2047—our centenary of independence—the dream of becoming one of the most advanced economies and a beacon of global welfare must be built on more than just slogans and software. It requires structural, foundational reforms across the entire system of governance.

1. Legislative and Electoral Reforms

• Electoral cycles must be rationalised under the "One Nation, One Election" framework.

• We must demand performance audits of elected representatives—not merely in numbers, but in their contribution to national development, unity, and culture.

• Parties and leaders must be evaluated on vision, values, and verifiable outcomes.

2. Judiciary and Legal System

• Justice delayed is still justice denied. A tech-enabled, fast-track judiciary with real-time transparency and accountability must be prioritised.

• Legal reforms are essential to decongest courts and restore faith in the rule of law.

3. Executive and Administrative Overhaul

• Governance should blend human intelligence with machine learning and artificial intelligence to deliver efficient, timely public services.

• The bureaucracy must be reoriented toward outcome-driven performance, not process-driven rituals.

4. Economic and Institutional Reforms

• Professionalism must replace political patronage in public sector institutions.

• Agriculture, manufacturing, MSMEs, exports, and financial services must be revitalised through data-backed policy coherence.

• The independence of institutions like the RBI, CAG, and SEBI must be respected in both letter and spirit.

Bridging the Gap Between Competence and Achievement

India is not short of competent people or rich resources. What we lack is the ability to convert potential into performance. This calls for:

• Better resource allocation and monitoring,

• A crackdown on waste, inefficiency, and corruption,

• Strengthening of public delivery mechanisms, and

• Above all, an unwavering commitment to national interest above personal or party gain.

The Ethical Foundation: Dharma and Harmony

As the Upanishads remind us, “The pursuit of harmony rooted in wisdom and unwavering commitment to Dharma is indicative of enlightened leadership.” This ethos must guide our reforms—not just economic or technological, but spiritual and cultural. We must draw from our civilisational heritage to build a model of growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and ethical.

Conclusion: Time for Collective Introspection

The next 22 years are a golden opportunity. But without deep introspection and decisive action, we risk squandering India’s potential. It's time for academicians, administrators, politicians, policy thinkers, and citizens to come together—not in blame, but in common purpose.

Let us rise beyond electoral arithmetic and technocratic half-measures. Let us envision an India where digitisation empowers, governance delivers, and every citizen experiences the fruits of freedom.

May our collective dream be guided by the eternal prayer:
"Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu" – May all beings be happy.

T V G Krishnan

( personal Views)

A senior Citizen .