GK Arora
THE book’s Foreword is written by Dr VK Saraswat, a leading light in the world of science and technology, and currently a member of the Niti Aayog. The book contains appreciation from brilliant minds that include AICTE Chairperson Dr TG Sitharam and IIT Dhanbad Chairman Prof Prem Vrat.
With 37 chapters divided into five sections, the compendium runs into 227 pages. The tone of the book is set in the Preface itself, which states: “As we chart this journey towards a $50 trillion economy for India@2050, the path is not merely about economic milestones but about redefining development itself.” The Epilogue summarises the vision of the author and provides both hope, as also raises concerns as the age of uncertainty has already descended around the globe
India’s unique position
The book acknowledges India’s unique position, blending of its rich cultural and philosophical wisdom, and diversity of oneness with the dynamic energy and aspirations of its vast young population and the powerhouse of STEM talent. It gives a clear vision by following a comprehensive, multifaceted policy framework by working on policy actions that promote a Green Approach, adopting sustainable development methods and green technologies, developing an inclusive growth and development model, and synthesising technology and science to build an integrated and inclusive sustainable human development.
Prof Sharma starts with narrating India’s impressive march as one of the largest democracies of the world and recounts the impressive progress that it has made during the last 77 years, especially during the last 11 years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s era of rapid track transformation and development. The great infrastructure push along with highly impressive growth of knowledge infrastructure, accelerated establishment of the new IITs, IIITs, IIMs and AIIMS supports a grand vision of Viksit Bharat of our dreams. The book captures the lessons learnt from Covid-19, while highlighting India’s resurgence as a world leader in economic development.
The author, however, cautions that the nation’s tomorrow shall be judged not by its GDP growth alone but by its development that complies with the SDGs. The book makes a bold case for healthcare of tomorrow that redefines healthcare as wellbeing and wellness, building immunity and creating a disease free society. The author advocates for synergy of medical science and engineering on one hand and integration of Ayurveda and allopathy on the other.
Prof Sharma devotes a lot of space to education, which is discussed in Section II. It deals with education for New India while highlighting teachers’ character and conscience, online education vs. e-Gurukuls, internalisation at home and marketing India’s cost-effective higher education abroad rather than marketing India’s talent as at present.
The author advocates for strengthening India’s skilling infrastructure, establishing skill towers and skill hubs in institutions of higher learning including the IITs and reputed universities. In the opinion of the author education alone has the power of national transformation, empowering youth with technology and character skills.
The heart of the book lies in strengthening the pillars of sustainability with renewed emphasis on inclusiveness, green technologies, and e-mobility, while relooking into the challenges of water and air pollution, urbanisation, rural development, and the role of universities in all these dimensions.
Social sciences arena
Though a hardcore scientist, Prof Sharma crosses over to an interdisciplinary professor and boldly enters the arena of social sciences and refreshes the most used concept of democracy, along with liberty and freedom from the perspective of digital empowerment and social media. In Section V, he beautifully describes this digital triangular nexus: “Democracy is not Freedom Infinite, it is Liberty at a cost, the cost of being accountable and responsible of what you say and what you do.”
The book waves together economic growth, technological advancements and geopolitical strategies and presents forward looking prospectives and a roadmap for transforming India into a self-reliant progressive and inclusive superpower. A compelling blend of realism and aspiration, the Making of a New India – Vision for India@2050 is not just a book, it is call to action for policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs and the leader conscience to collectively build a developed, brighter, stronger and a more resilient India.
