India Positive: New Essays and Columns

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   A Nation's Journey Through the Eyes of a Pragmatist

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   What if I told you that the fate of the world's largest democracy hinges not on which political party holds power, but on the mindset of its citizens? This provocative premise forms the foundation of "India Positive," where bestselling author Chetan Bhagat challenges conventional political discourse. As a writer who transitioned from investment banking to become one of India's most widely read authors, Bhagat occupies a unique position in Indian intellectual life-bridging elite and mass audiences with his accessible yet insightful commentary. The book has garnered praise from business leaders like Narayana Murthy and political figures across the spectrum, reflecting its balanced approach. In a nation increasingly divided by partisan extremes, Bhagat's call for pragmatic patriotism offers a refreshing middle path that has resonated with millions seeking a more constructive national conversation.

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   The Political Experiment: What We've Learned After a Decade

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   After experimenting with various governments over the past decade-from the UPA coalition with its "soft PM" to the NDA majority with its "tough PM"-Indians have learned three irrefutable truths. First, India is progressing, albeit slowly, with improvements in infrastructure, digital connectivity, and economic indicators. Second, your individual life doesn't dramatically change under any particular regime, as daily challenges like inflation, job security, and quality of life remain relatively constant. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the government in power doesn't matter as much as we think for our personal circumstances, as broader economic and social forces often have more impact than specific policies. This isn't cynicism but recognition of India's complexity. With its vast population of 1.4 billion and diversity across 28 states, no single leader can transform average citizens' lives within just one or two terms. The changes that have genuinely improved our daily existence-smartphones, cheap data (dropping from 250 per GB to 10), online shopping, rideshare apps, UPI payments-happened largely independent of political parties, driven instead by technological advancement and market forces. Remember the euphoria of 2014? When Modi secured his massive mandate with 282 seats, people celebrated the victory of the "commoner chaiwallah." The honeymoon period saw citizens swooning when the Prime Minister took to the streets with a broom for Swacch Bharat. Social media exploded with optimism about "acche din." Yet by 2019, that excitement had faded to shrugs. Ask people how their lives differ radically between BJP and Congress governments, and most struggle to identify government-specific changes beyond demonetization's new currency notes and GST implementation. This realization can either make you feel helpless or liberated. After trying street protests in 2011 (Anna Hazare movement) and voting for change in 2014, perhaps it's time to recognize that real transformation in your life comes not from politics but from yourself. Instead of obsessing over which party holds power, focus on improving your skills, expanding your network, and making positive contributions to society. The most successful Indians of the past decade achieved their goals through personal initiative rather than government assistance. The past decade may have disappointed those dreaming of India quickly joining developed nations, but it taught valuable lessons about the pace of change in a democracy. Rather than fixating on government failings, it's time to focus on what we can do right. Being an "India Positive Citizen" means maintaining objectivity about our nation's strengths (demographic dividend, digital infrastructure, entrepreneurial spirit) and weaknesses (bureaucracy, infrastructure gaps, income inequality) while working constructively toward solutions. The real progress comes from millions of citizens making daily improvements in their spheres of influence, regardless of who holds power in Delhi.

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   The Balance Sheet: India's Successes and Failures (2009-2019)

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   Being India Positive isn't about blind patriotism or propaganda-it requires honest assessment of our achievements and failures over the past decade, both economically and socially. Economically, India excelled in several areas. The online business boom created new opportunities and services that transformed daily life. A vibrant startup culture emerged, with entrepreneurs tackling everything from food delivery to financial services. GST implementation, despite its flaws, improved tax compliance and created a more unified market. Our GDP growth remained decent at around 8% annually, though not as impressive as it could have been given our low base and the high expectations of 2014. However, we failed dramatically in job creation. With over 10 million young Indians entering the workforce annually, our economy simply hasn't generated enough employment opportunities. We also missed our chance to replace China as the world's manufacturing hub due to several factors: land acquisition challenges, insufficient labor reforms, policy instability, and bureaucratic complications. While "Make in India" was an excellent slogan, its execution fell short of expectations. Socially, we avoided major caste or regional conflicts and reduced high-level corruption. The decriminalization of Section 377 marked a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights. Digital empowerment reached previously marginalized communities, giving voice to those long silenced. Social equality schemes like NREGA, Ujjwala, Ayushman Bharat, and Jan Dhan accounts made moderate impacts on reducing poverty and increasing financial inclusion. Yet Hindu-Muslim relations deteriorated significantly, with lynchings and communal polarization becoming increasingly common. Our education system remains broken, limiting workforce readiness and forcing students to seek opportunities abroad at great expense to their families and the nation. To improve in the next decade, we must address these failures and mediocre performances. We need double-digit GDP growth, manufacturing relocation to India, significant job creation, better Hindu-Muslim relations, and a less polarized society. As citizens, we must demand these improvements regardless of which party governs.

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   Being the Change: The India Positive Citizen

   While we should demand accountability from our leaders, we must accept that national progress will be slow and non-linear. Having witnessed the limitations of both Congress and BJP governments over multiple terms, it's clear that no single party has all the answers. Rather than getting caught in partisan debates, it's time to focus on improving our own lives while maintaining objectivity about the nation's trajectory and contributing meaningfully to progress. To be an India Positive Citizen, focus on three practical and actionable goals: First, enhance yourself through continuous learning and skill development. Develop competencies needed in today's society like computer literacy, data analysis, effective communication across languages, business understanding, digital marketing, and professional networking. Instead of spending hours watching entertainment videos or engaging in social media arguments, invest that time in online courses, reading industry reports, or learning new software tools. Practice public speaking, improve your writing, and stay updated with global trends. Remember that your personal growth isn't just individual success - it strengthens India's human capital and contributes to the nation's progress in the global knowledge economy. Second, enhance the nation through responsible citizenship. Pay your taxes honestly and file returns on time, understanding that tax compliance funds essential infrastructure and social programs. Avoid spreading unverified information or hate speech on social media platforms. Actively maintain India's secular fabric by making friends across religious and cultural boundaries, celebrating diverse festivals, and standing up against discrimination. Practice good civic sense by not just avoiding negative behaviors like littering or excessive honking, but by actively participating in community cleanliness drives, following traffic rules even when no one's watching, and encouraging others to do the same. Consider volunteering with NGOs or participating in local governance through RWA meetings. These seemingly small actions, when multiplied across millions, create transformative change. Third, remain objective and analytical in your approach to politics. Develop a floating vote based on careful evaluation of manifestos, track records, and specific policies rather than pledging lifelong loyalty to any party or ideology. Though it feels safer and easier to belong to a political tribe, the country needs citizens who can judge issues based on data and ground realities rather than partisan talking points. Evaluate policies on their measurable outcomes, not on who proposed them. Read diverse news sources, fact-check claims, and engage in respectful dialogue with those holding different views. This approach creates both personal and national benefits. By focusing on self-improvement rather than political battles, you'll develop valuable skills and advance professionally regardless of who's in power. By maintaining objectivity, you'll avoid the mental stress and social toxicity of partisan warfare while making more informed choices. And by contributing positively to society through responsible citizenship, you'll help create the progressive, harmonious India we all aspire to live in. Small individual actions, multiplied across millions of citizens, can drive meaningful change even when institutional progress seems slow.

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   The Social Media Battlefield: Trolls, Virtue Signallers, and the War for Public Opinion

   Social media has fundamentally transformed how Indians engage with politics and society, creating new phenomena that shape public discourse. Two particularly troubling groups have emerged: "bhakts" (blind followers) and virtue signallers. The "bhakts" are typically males with weak English communication skills and an inferiority complex about not being sophisticated enough in a globalizing world. Sexually frustrated and uncomfortable with women, they overcompensate through chest-thumping nationalism to mask their shame about being Hindi-speaking Hindus from modest means. Modi represents their highest aspiration-someone from their background who rose to the top-making his image sacred to them. This explains why confident, English-speaking women who criticize Modi face the worst abuse. These aren't simply religious devotees but rather "Frustrated And Complex-ridden Indian Males" (FACIMs) hiding behind social media anonymity. Their blind devotion threatens democracy by placing an individual above institutions. Without constructive criticism, leaders lose opportunities to course-correct. True nationalism means putting the country before individuals, even beloved leaders. On the opposite end are the virtue signallers-people who display moral values to enhance their image rather than express genuine beliefs. Express concern about Hindu pilgrims killed by terrorists, and they'll immediately cry "Communal!" They demand you never mention religion in conflicts, insist Hindus as a majority must never raise Hindu-specific issues, and reduce everything to "bad people hurting good people" without context. These aren't merely pseudo-seculars or elitists-they're people desperate to appear modern and progressive to their virtual peers. They'll label reasonable statements about false domestic violence charges as "sexist" to demonstrate their feminist credentials. They claim to support women's cricket or independent cinema without actually watching either. Between these extremes, a battle for public opinion rages between the privileged class and aspirational India. Traditionally, opinion-making was monopolized by the privileged class-marked by good English, elite education, metro upbringing, and connections. These intellectuals, often left-leaning, controlled discourse on everything from Kashmir to economics. The new millennium changed this as economic growth and social media gave aspirational Indians a voice. For productive national conversation, both sides need to coexist: the privileged must accept they no longer monopolize opinion, while aspirational Indians must articulate views respectfully and remain open-minded.

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   Religion and State: The Delicate Balance in a Secular Republic

   India remarkably chose to be a secular republic despite partition, but our Constitution still included provisions like Article 48 protecting cows from slaughter. This created contradictions between religious accommodations and fundamental rights to freedom and equality. The Supreme Court order making the national anthem compulsory before movies exemplifies how good intentions can be mixed with harmful impositions. While respecting the anthem is admirable, forcing patriotism violates individual liberty protected by our Constitution. True patriotism cannot be forced-it must come from free will. On the Ram temple issue, I support building a beautiful temple in Ayodhya peacefully but definitely. While the 1992 violence was wrong and inexcusable, restoring a temple at Lord Rama's birthplace remains reasonable. The Muslim community should give its blessing; thousands of mosques stand on former temple sites across India, but this particular site has special significance in Hindu faith. A grander mosque could be built nearby. This temple could symbolize religious cooperation between India's two largest communities, potentially creating jobs for both Hindus and Muslims through increased tourism. As a Hindu who doesn't eat beef yet wears leather shoes, I recognize the inconsistency in religious practices we follow without question. All religions have their taboos-Muslims avoiding pork, Jews separating dairy and meat-these are simply "one of those things" that believers accept without logical scrutiny. In theocratic states, these religious rules become law, restricting freedom. The Dadri incident where a mob killed someone over beef consumption shows the dangerous consequences of mixing religion and law. We need to decide: should we move toward a common civil code that avoids religion-specific laws, or continue accommodating "one of those things" at the expense of rationality? History shows nothing good comes from mixing religion and law. Similarly, caste-based reservations, while well-intentioned, need serious reconsideration. Reservation is a shortcut to equality that divides society and fosters mediocrity by taking opportunity from someone deserving and giving it to another based solely on birth caste. While reservation has shown success-SC representation in Class I government jobs rose from 1% in 1965 to 10% by 1995-the system now perpetuates inequality as children of affluent SC/ST officers inherit both privilege and reservation benefits. The solution is linking benefits to income rather than caste. This would ensure help reaches the truly needy and would automatically phase out as incomes rise. We should aim for an India where caste is irrelevant and only talent matters, with support provided based on economic need.

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   The Politics of Division: How Electoral Math Shapes Indian Democracy

   Indian politics operates on a fundamental equation: D+M>H, where D represents Dalits/lower-caste voters (40%), M represents Muslim/minority voters (20%), and H represents upper-caste Hindu voters (40%). This mathematical reality explains why BJP has governed for less than seven years in India's nearly seventy-year history. BJP can only win when the D+M vote splits, D and M separate, or they project a charismatic candidate who attracts some D and M votes. This divide persists because D and M feel persecuted by upper-class Hindus, while H aspires for a prosperous India. This conflict enables true anti-nationals to divide us, as parties avoid condemning extremists to protect their vote banks. The BJP's electoral success depends on three critical numbers: 25, 33, and 40 percent. The 25% represents their cult "bhakt" vote share-a reliable base that includes voters with regressive values but insufficient to win elections alone. To succeed against disorganized opposition, BJP needs 33%, requiring them to court development-oriented fence-sitters through reform promises. When opponents unite (as in Bihar 2015), BJP needs 40%-requiring them to maintain their base while fulfilling promises to moderates and winning over skeptics. Gujarat's 2017 election delivered a perfect "Goldilocks" result-just right for Indian democracy. BJP won for the sixth consecutive time with 54% of seats, proving Modi's enduring appeal despite controversial policies like demonetization. Yet the narrow victory margin (99 of 182 seats) compared to Congress's 77 seats sent a clear message to both parties. For BJP, it was a reminder that Modi isn't invincible and that pandering to hardliners alienates moderate "vikas" voters who want development without religious intimidation. The solution to India's divisive politics is integration: D must engage with H beyond reservations, M must prioritize nation over religion, and H must stop imposing its culture on others. Only when we move beyond these affiliations to embrace "I" for India can we shed the "anti-national" label and build a truly united nation.

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   Economic Missteps: When Good Intentions Meet Poor Implementation

   The Modi government, elected with high economic expectations even by non-traditional BJP voters willing to compromise on secularism, has underperformed with GDP growth slowing to 5.7% instead of the expected 10%. The government's obsession with fighting black money has created a climate of fear among entrepreneurs who drive the economy. GST implementation has become a complex nightmare for Indian businesses, with its puzzle-like filing process baffling even those with financial expertise. While the reform has potential to transform India's economy, its execution suffers from an archaic "sarkari attitude." The five-tier structure (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) arbitrarily categorizes goods and services, treating cinema as equivalent to gambling with a 28% tax rate while TV subscriptions are taxed at just 18%. Demonetization was a political success despite questionable economic benefits. While economists point to limited gains in catching black money and significant costs including economic slowdown and lost productivity, the move resonated with voters for displaying the "three I's" of successful political initiatives: Intention, Initiative, and Ideas. Modi's perceived good intentions to tackle black money, his unprompted initiative, and the novelty of the idea earned public support regardless of actual outcomes. India's tax system needs reform, with only 4% of the population paying income taxes and just 150,000 individuals claiming annual incomes over 50 lakh. While tax evasion is significant, genuine taxpayers face harassment from officials who assume guilt by default. Taxes should be collected "like a bee collects nectar from flowers-painlessly." The government must recognize that entrepreneurs create millions of jobs and contribute billions to GDP. A gentler transition to compliance would better serve economic growth than punitive measures that risk business contraction and job losses. India remains fundamentally socialist despite having a supposedly pro-business government. The irony is that anti-business policies ultimately harm the poor by limiting job creation. "What we call pro-poor in India is usually pro-poverty," as we seem "habituated to being poor." Real change requires spreading the message of "good and fair capitalism" rather than merely backing political parties. The government should lower tax rates to a reasonable level, simplify filing processes, and treat taxpayers as valued customers rather than potential criminals.

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   Youth and Education: Building Tomorrow's India

   The tragic suicide of 25-year-old PhD scholar Rohith Vemula at University of Hyderabad highlights systemic issues in university management. His involvement in student politics led to conflicts with ABVP students, but what made this case unusual was the intervention of a local MP and Union Minister who wrote to the HRD Minister claiming the university had become a "den of casteist, extremist and anti-national politics." This political pressure ultimately resulted in Rohith's suspension and denial of hostel accommodation. The core issues include insufficient university autonomy, delayed stipend payments that caused financial hardship, and the discrimination stemming from caste-based reservations. Rather than political blame games, we need greater university autonomy and shifting from caste-based to economic-based reservation criteria. The contrast between Delhi University's lax atmosphere and IIT's disciplined environment is striking. While IITs enforced strict academic standards with constant testing, attendance monitoring, and severe consequences for indiscipline, DU students often prioritize socializing and politics over academics. The recent violence at Ramjas College exemplifies not ideological conflicts but DU's lack of control. While 95% of students simply want to study and build futures, the administration cannot control the disruptive 5% who act as "goons," harming the institution's reputation and academic environment. India hasn't created new educational institutions on par with the IITs and IIMs established in the 60s and 70s because we've failed to find the optimal balance between state control and institutional autonomy. While government-funded institutions can't be completely autonomous, excessive operational interference proves devastating. World-class institutions are built on attracting top talent, which becomes impossible with constant political interference. For Kashmiri youth, integration with India offers the best path forward. As a standalone entity, the Kashmir Valley-just 7% of J&K's area, roughly the size of Manipur with seven million people-would be unsustainable, vulnerable to becoming a hub for terrorism and fundamentalism, with no economy or foreign investment. Valley residents should be the ones asking for Article 370's removal, as it only empowers local politicians rather than the people. Kashmiri Pandits must return, terrorism must end, and youth should start a movement to solve these problems rather than celebrating India's failures. Because ultimately, if India fails, Kashmir fails too.

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   The Path Forward: Balancing System Change and Personal Growth

   After writing about Indian economy, society, politics, and youth issues for over a decade, I've witnessed our experiments with various governments and leaders. While I continue addressing national concerns, I'm gradually shifting focus toward individual self-development. I'm convinced these two elements-system improvement and personal growth-must progress hand in hand. We must remain vigilant citizens who keep our democracy accountable. Yet while patiently awaiting larger structural changes, India's youth should focus inward, developing themselves to overcome systemic shortcomings. The tolerance debate in India is misunderstood and inconclusive, with both sides unwilling to hear each other-itself a form of intolerance. India is simultaneously tolerant and intolerant, with multiple varieties of intolerance existing: religious, caste, economic, political, and even traffic intolerance. Most Indians coexist peacefully with different faiths, but enough exceptions create problems. Tolerance requires not being bothered by different belief systems and reacting civilly when bothered. India needs better education about diverse cultures, improved civil behavior when upset, and leadership that quickly addresses incidents that create fear. We must accept our mixed nature while striving to improve. Like Don Corleone in "The Godfather," India's powerful operate on a system of exchanging favors that multiply their influence. These alliances between politicians and businessmen create a reserve of power where the timing and nature of return favors remain undefined. While not technically illegal, this favor-swapping betrays voters' trust, as politicians were elected to serve the nation, not trade favors with the elite. Parliament's routine dysfunction should deeply concern Indians, especially given our need for economic reforms to achieve 10% GDP growth. Solutions include establishing a common cross-party agenda that cannot be disrupted, and modernizing Parliament with technology-allowing secure remote voting and moderated virtual sessions when physical disruptions threaten productivity. I urge you to maintain an "India Positive" mindset-seeking solutions rather than criticizing failures with negativity, believing simultaneously in personal growth and national progress. This balanced approach will not only improve your life but contribute to building the India we all aspire to create.

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