The documentary begins with the concept of Time itself as the narrator,
setting the stage for a journey through India's future.
Time: “I am Time—Mai Samay Hu—not that Latent Wala but the OG SAMAY I
am not merely a silent witness but the original force that has shaped history.
Today, I stand before you to guide you on an enlightening journey through
the future of India.”
Well this journey begins with some vital questions that we grapple whenever
we think about India and it’s future.
1)What will India’s position be in the next 26 years?
2)Is the threat of environmental degradation real?
3)Is climate change merely a fiction crafted by intellectuals sitting in air-
conditioned rooms, detached from ground realities?
4)What is the future of India’s political landscape? Will the foundational
values of the Constitution be enough to protect its institutions from the grip
of corrupt bureaucrats and politicians?
5)And what of India's economic ambitions—the dream of becoming the
world’s second-largest economy by 2031 and the largest by 2050?
5)How will social demographics evolve? Is it true, as claimed by right-wing
leaders, that the Hindu population is declining while the Muslim community
is growing disproportionately?
6)Can a country with deeply embedded socialist values truly shift toward a
capitalist model? Should India walk down the path of capitalism?
These are complex, pressing questions that demand thoughtful exploration.
But before embarking on this insightful journey lets see where India stands
today and what is the prophecy of Trends.
Let’s discuss the current economic aspect of India
1. Growth Rate and GDP-: India is one of the fastest-growing major
economies, In recent years, India’s GDP growth has remained above
6%, driven by consumer spending, domestic demand, and
infrastructure investment.
2. Inflation and Cost of Living-: Inflation has been a significant concern,
due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and supply chain disruptions.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has hovered above the Reserve
Bank of India’s (RBI) target of 4%, impacting household spending and
the cost of essentials.
3. Employment and Labor Market
India’s labor market faces a dual challenge: a high unemployment rate,
particularly among youth, and a low labor force participation rate, especially
for women.
Jobless growth -:”Jobless growth” is an economic situation where a country
experiences economic growth without a corresponding increase in
employment opportunities. In the context of India, jobless growth has been a
significant concern, as the country has recorded fair GDP growth over recent
years but has struggled to generate enough quality jobs,
4. Industrial and Manufacturing Growth-: The government’s “Make in
India” initiative and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have
aimed to bolster manufacturing, with recent growth in electronics,
automotive, and renewable energy sectors.Despite these steps of
government India’s top imports include crude oil, coal, diamonds,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastics, electronics, and
machinery, which account for 82% of all goods imports.
Having discussed the economic aspects let’s take our train of wisdom
to the political aspect -:
India’s current political condition is shaped by a variety of internal
dynamics, including its leadership, policy initiatives, opposition
movements, and societal challenges.
1.Centralization of Power and Strong Leadership-: The ruling Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has maintained
a strong presence in Indian politics. Modi’s leadership style emphasizes
centralization.This centralization has allowed for swift implementation
of policies but has also led to criticism over reduced autonomy for
state governments, particularly in opposition-led states.
2. Nationalism and Cultural Identity Politic-:
The BJP’s political narrative prominently features Hindu nationalism,
with a focus on promoting a unified cultural identity. Initiatives such as
renaming cities with historical names, promoting Sanskrit, and
emphasizing Hindu heritage sites have gained traction.While this
resonates with a significant portion of the population, it has also
sparked concerns among minority communities, particularly Muslims,
and opposition parties who argue that such moves marginalize other
religious and cultural identities, potentially affecting social cohesion.
3. The Role of Opposition Parties-: India’s opposition, led primarily by
the Indian National Congress (INC) and various regional parties, has
struggled to present a cohesive alternative to the BJP. Although recent
efforts have shown signs of opposition unity, divisions between parties
make sustained opposition challenging. Regional leaders, such as
Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, actively
challenge the BJP’s policies, reflecting regional resistance to
centralized control.
4.Social Issues and Civil Unrest-: India is witnessing rising activism
over social issues, including gender equality, caste discrimination, and
freedom of speech. Student groups, activists, and NGOs have raised
concerns over issues such as internet freedom, freedom of the press, and
human rights.Protests, like the large-scale farmers’ protests against farm
laws in 2020-2021 and movements for women’s safety, highlight the
disconnect between government policies and public opinion on specific
issues.
Now let’s move towards the current social and demographic aspect of India.
. Family Structure and Changing Social Norms-: Traditional joint family
structures are increasingly giving way to nuclear families, especially in
urban areas, where both spouses may work and seek greater
autonomy. Younger generations are embracing modern values and
questioning norms around marriage, career, and family roles
Nevertheless of all this modernization rural India still lives on with the
orthodox tradition.
Caste System and Social Inequality-: The caste system remains deeply
entrenched in Indian society,particularly in rural areas, and continues
to shape social interactions, marriage choices, and economic
opportunities.Despite affirmative action policies (reservations) for
Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward
Classes (OBC), caste-based discrimination and inequality persist,
especially in terms of education, employment, and social mobility.
Gender Dynamics and Women’s Rights-:Gender inequality remains a
critical issue in India, with disparities in education, employment,
healthcare, and political representation. Although women’s literacy
rates and workforce participation have limproved, India still faces a
significant gender gap. Issues such as gender-based violence, child
marriage, and dowry continue to affect women, particularly in rural and
semi-urban areas.
Current Population Composition -:As per the most recent data from
the 2011 Census of India, the religious composition of India’s population was
as follows:
Hindus: Approximately 79.8% of the population
Muslims: Approximately 14.2% of the population
Christians: Approximately 2.3% of the population
Sikhs: Approximately 1.7% of the population
Buddhists: Approximately 0.7% of the population
Jains: Approximately 0.4% of the population
Others (including tribal religions): Approximately 0.9% of the populatiion
Now let’s see the current environmental conditions of the country
1. Air Pollution-: High Pollution Levels: India has some of the most
polluted cities globally. According to the 2022 World Air Quality Report,
63 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities were in India, with Delhi
frequently ranking among the most polluted capitals.
2.. Water Crisis and Scarcity: India is the world’s largest groundwater
extractor, and rapid depletion is a critical issue. The Central Ground Water
Board (CGWB) reported that over 50% of wells in key regions have declining
water levels.Around 70% of India’s surface water is contaminated, according
to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
3.Energy and Carbon Emissions-:India is the world’s second-largest coal
consumer. Though renewable energy capacity is growing, coal still powers
about 70% of India’s electricity, contributing to greenhouse gas
emissions.India ranks among the top five carbon emitters globally.
4. Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss-: Forest cover has seen modest
increases, with the Forest Survey of India (2021) reporting that only 24.62%
of India’s area is under forest cover. India is also home to a diverse range of
flora and fauna, yet many species face extinction risks. The IUCN lists several
species, including the Bengal tiger as endangered due to habitat loss and
poaching.
(Seeker interrupts in between)
Seeker-: Hey Samay you say so great about yourself and now you are
haranguing us with these words filled with unsatisfaction and despondency.
We are tired of all this. I request you to please take us to the India of future.
SAMAY-: You are right, enough of this tale of woe!
Let’s move ahead.
(A Transition occurs and SAMAY comes back on the screen)
(Some bg pictures and videos) For the transition.
