“The American Dream” is something we might have all come across. From the President of America and Hollywood to our very own Bollywood, everyone romanticizes this. So much so that, whether electricity has reached the most interior of our villages “the American Dream” has. Many of us excitedly have been a part of this Dream, with the television we watch, the books we read, the history that taught to us, web series that we watch, clothes we wear, to the career aspirations that we have. When we look at this closely and unbiasedly, we will be able to see a strategic pattern of the soft power that America has exerted far too long and far too deeply, that too with a faulty internal system filled with loopholes and pitfalls. Despite all that, it is this narrative, this soft power that has led America to become the superpower of the world. 

Now, let’s come to the Indian Dream. Have you heard of it? Obviously not, because something like that doesn’t exist. When India and Indians are the major contributors to the global economies, from the domains of science & engineering to hotels & real-estate, including international politics, what has stopped us from building our own nation? Is it the sheer population numbers or too many languages? Is it too many complexities in the diversity? Or states that are so different from each other? Is it the political irrelevance that cries for more youth and women leadership? The very factors that we consider barriers can become our exact strengths if we consciously choose to make them our strengths. In-fact these are the exact supposed pain points, that if triggered in the right direction will be our solutions for India to progress in an unimaginable style and pace leaving behind every nation-state, including the USA. 

The vast Human Capital, a rare youth majority population; the drill of knowing to deal with diversity; the drill of knowing to deal difficult neighbors and refugee infiltration; series of wars, terrorism, recession, inflation, food insecurity and Covid and we still are driving an economy that is not just alive and kicking but in a bright spot. Our refined International Relations and a more strategic approach in the last few years; the most sought-after ancient education system; diverse Indian states with their own specialties, overall economic stability during the direst of times are the greatest strengths we possess. From a nation-state that contributed to roughly a quarter of the world’s GDP two centuries ago to a country that was one of the poverty-stricken countries until 75 years ago to again emerging as a young republic making it to the top 5 fastest growing economies in just 75 years, we have come an impressive long way.

With China acting out on the world and the world, especially the west looking at China +1 policy; USA losing the trust among the international audience due to its continued interference with other countries and not just self-centered but a very confused approach; the BRICS and G20 initiating their warm and inclusive relations and setting the world stage for international affairs and strategic friendship; currencies other than the dollar being used for trade in several countries raising a flag of self- sustenance and strategic sustenance, India is a country that the world looks at for friendship, partnership and potential leadership. Our way to becoming a superpower is challenging but extremely possible if we make a conscious and a collective choice to make that our goal.

We, of-course, are far from perfection and need tantamount attitude shift in the way we look at ourselves because of the drastic lack of knowledge of ourselves. To treat a problem, we need to get to the root cause. What is the way forward for India? The way Inward. The day we collectively realize this, India will be unstoppable. Our Identity is anchored to civilizational history, be it Individual Identity, Collective Identity or National Identity. Our ancient knowledge systems, depth and breadth of intellectual core, strength of character, core values and our understanding of right and wrong, understanding the grey areas and the paradoxes, at individual level or national level is attributed to our civilizational history. Anything that we do or will do is only a derivative of that. For instance, learnings from Indian knowledge systems are followed across the world in terms of lifestyle, fashion, textile, diet, food, yoga, medicine, science, math, etc. From material to spiritual, is the extent of India’s contribution to the world’s growth-internally and externally. Realization and Conscious Internalization of our Identity- individual and collective, is the only way forward. We need to understand our roots, strengthen the pillars of ancient knowledge systems by contextualizing it to current day problems to resolve them.

India’s cultural anchor will not pave light for just for India but the world too, as India has always been a strategic partner, a humble source of support, friend in need, a friend that can be trusted, a home for anyone who has come to make a home in India, be it the Parsi or the Jews or anyone in-between the spectrum. India has neither demonstrated territorial aggression or been on the offensive when it came to warfare, a naturally inclusive orientation embracing diversity and international tourist friends. 

What India needs, is to be looked at in a different perspective by not just the international fabric but Indian homies too, especially the Indian youth. We have a long way to go, and this can only happen through collective action. This collective action anchored with cultural identity will make the #theIndianDream a reality. 

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Bharat-Way Forward Series will address a variety of issues pertinent to the way forward and growth of India aka Bharat