The Punjab Paradox: Post-Poll Journeys Dispatch #3

The Punjab Paradox: Patriotism And Parallel World Of Khalistan

Dear Reader,

We're back with the latest dispatch from my colleague Banuchandar Nagarajan's Post-Poll Journeys. It's called — The Pulse Of A Punjab That Needs A Healing Touch.

There's a soothing charm in Punjab but beneath the surface lie troubling issues. The journey from Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan through diverse crops and solar-powered pump sets shows agricultural prosperity. Yet, the reality is far more complex.

Tete-a-Tete with a Khalistani Supporter: In Muktsar Sahib, our narrator met Charanpreet, a young Sardar with strong pro-Khalistani views. Despite the opposing views, Charan's friendliness was disarming.

• The conversation spanned everything from Bhindranwale to Moosewala's "295". Charan inhabits a parallel world of Bhindranwale, Amritpal, and Pannun.

• This encounter highlighted a troubling reality: There is a cottage industry of organisations — religious, political, media — that construct these parallel worlds deliberately to sow dissension for political ends.

Political Pandering: Unfortunately, political parties like AAP and Shiromani Akali Dal pander to divisive instincts for petty electoral goals.

The flag-lowering ceremony at the Hussainiwala border post was a much-needed respite. Amidst the patriotic fervor, the presence of the Madras Regiment and their war cry, "Veera Madrassi, Adi Kollu, Adi Kollu, Adi Kollu" gives solace.

And then, Firozpur was a stark contrast. It was dystopian. Crumbling infrastructure, rampant drug addiction, and a four-hour power cut painted a grim picture. The resignation to losing youths to drugs was disheartening.

• One such youth, Paras is a college student eager to leave India. His brother's death from a drug overdose was a chilling reminder of the town's struggles.

• He voted for Congress, while his parents supported BJP, believing only PM Modi could fix Punjab's problems.

• Firozpur, once an Akali Dal stronghold, now grapples with unemployment and drug issues. Solutions to these problems are crucial for gaining the trust and votes of Firozpur residents.

Despite the challenges, Punjab's spirit endures.

• "The resilience and warmth of the people I encountered, from farmers to hotel managers, from soldiers at the Firozpur Cantonment to the youth dreaming of opportunities abroad, was very genuine and touching," says Banuchandar.

Punjab needs more than just arguments; it needs healing touches. Addressing the unique needs and aspirations of our border regions is crucial for a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Read this incisive ground report from Punjab in detail here. This is the third dispatch in the Post-Poll Journeys. Here are Part 1 and Part 2.

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Can India leverage its demographic dividend to challenge China?

In April 2023, India became the world's most populous country, overtaking China. This begets a crucial question: Can India leverage its massive young workforce — its demographic dividend — to outpace China's economy?

Demographic Dividend: Over 40% of India's population is under 25. India’s working-age population will peak in 2030 which offers us a significant economic opportunity.

Government has focused on Physical Infrastructure and Digital Infrastructure: Union Budget 2023-24 allocated $122 billion for infrastructure, up by 33%.

• PM Gati Shakti: A digital platform for coordinating infrastructure projects.

• National Infrastructure Pipeline: $1.3 trillion worth of projects underway.

• As for Digital Infrastructure: UPI (Unified Payment Interface): India’s largest digital payment network, driving financial inclusion and innovation.

Next come the Education reforms like National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with a new 5+3+3+4 model covering ages 3-18.

• NIPUN Bharat: A mission to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy by 2025.

• Opening doors for top-tier global universities to set up campuses in India.

India's GDP growth rate is projected to be at 6.5% between FY23 and FY28. And it has potential to become a $25.8 trillion economy by 2047.

But there are significant challenges. New York Times highlights some of these: job creation, gender-gap in workforce participation, and systemic barriers like land and labor laws.

• Critics also worry about India's ability to attract foreign capital.

• Yet examples like Apple's increased manufacturing presence in India are positive trends.

Bottom line: India's demographic dividend, coupled with robust government initiatives in infrastructure and education, positions it to challenge China's economic dominance.

Dive Deeper: Read this detailed analysis by Vyas Nageswaran on India’s potential to become the next global economic powerhouse and why betting on India might just pay off:

Leveraging The Demographic Dividend: The Case For India’s Challenge To China’s Economic Dominance

See you tomorrow,

Anmol N Jain