NOTE ON THE YEAR LONG CAMPAIGN
Future of India 28th February 2026 - 1st May 2027
1. Introduction
This Campaign is a follow-up of the “75 Years of Independence” and “Scientific Temper” Campaigns during 2023-25 and builds on the messaging of those Campaigns in the current context from a PSM perspective. This Note is for internal circulation only and is meant to develop the AIPSN understanding regarding the proposed Campaign. Communication material for public distribution and consumption will be developed separately with different suitable language.
2. Perspective The ruling dispensation with supporting socio-political forces is going full-steam ahead with its dangerous procorporate, communal, authoritarian and anti-science programme. The Sangh Parivar believes that a future developed India or “Viksit Bharat” will emerge from, and be driven, by a resurgent Hindutva, a unitary Hindu identity, related cultural pride and ultra-nationalism, combined with unregulated macro-level economic growth propelled by unfettered capitalism led by crony champions” of industry and foreign investment. In our view, the opposite will be the case.
2.1. The present trajectory poses major challenges for India’s development, people’s standard of living, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and gender and social justice. GDP growth is touted, such as in India’s position as fourth largest economy in the world, but low per capita GDP/income are not spoken about, nor is the fact that over 800 million Indians must still rely on subsidized foodstuff. In almost all developmental indicators, India continues to lag at under 100 in global rankings alongside the poorest countries. India’s “demographic or youth dividend” is threatening to become a demographic bomb due to slow or no expansion of dignified and remunerative employment. Employment is at historically low levels and prevalent education and skills are completely mismatched with the demands of a modern economy. The impact of poverty and underdevelopment is made worse by declining access to education and basic health care, with reduced role of the state, increased control by private and corporate actors with growing foreign interests motivated only by profits not people’s interests, and increased out-of-pocket costs imposed on the common people.
2.2. India’s industries are increasingly dominated by, or are dependent upon, foreign technologies, inputs and finances, undermining self-reliance despite rhetoric about “Atmanirbhar Bharta.” Foreign companies manufacturing in India, mostly involving assembly or other low value-added processes, not only results in outflow of funds, but also does not result in absorption of know-how i.e. “Atmanirbhar Bharta.” Public investment in R&D, so crucial for self-reliance and progress up the value-ladder, continues to fall, now at its lowest level of around 0.7% of GDP. The government is now embarking on a scheme to build research funding based on contributions by the private sector, which has never done so even in their own industries! This is a disastrous scenario in this knowledge-era with disruptive new technologies in which India currently stands nowhere, even while lagging behind even in major earliergeneration technologies and industries.
2.3. Rapid and equitable development requires a united population and, moving forward with a common purpose and equal benefits, without discrimination against any section in this vast and diverse country. Instead, India is witnessing aggressive and sharply divisive public policy and accompanying political and social actions and messages which are polarizing society, breeding communal prejudice and making some sections feel discriminated against as “second class citizens” on grounds of religion, language, ethnicity, and even sections within the broader Hindu order. A singular, narrowly defined “national” Hindi-HinduHindustan identity with Vedic-Sanskritic traditions at its core is being assiduously promoted towards a “Hindu Rashtra.” All this is backed, and increasingly imposed, by a centralized, unitary and authoritarian State which allows little room for dissent, freedom of expression, dissent or pluralism. A nation so divided within itself cannot progress well. A bright future for India requires building on the inherent strength of a united, multicultural country, unleashing diverse creative energies and innovation, as has been well documented in most developed countries. Before the current wave of antiimmigration sentiments.
2.4. The Peoples Science Movement (PSM) has long been engaged in deep study of these developments across different sectors, collaborated with experts, thought leaders and practitioners, published analyses and commentaries in various Indian languages, and engaged in intensive dialogues with different sections of people of all age-groups in both rural and urban India. While conducting a critical appraisal of current policies and trends, the PSM has also been trying to put forward alternative ideas in each sector to deliver better results not only for today but also for the future.
2.5. During 2024-25, AIPSN/BGVS have conducted several notable major all-India Campaigns such as on the Idea of India, 75 Years of independence, Self-Reliance and, recently, on Climate Impacts. These have focused on the past trajectory of development in independent India, and where India stands today, putting people first. It is now proposed to put forward our vision of the Future of India.
3. Themes in Future of India Campaign The “Future of India” Campaign proposes to engage with scientists, other thought leaders, experts in different fields, activists, civil society organizations and movements, and the wider public on the state of the nation and current challenges in different sectors of concern to the Peoples Science Movement, on what the future holds if the current trajectory is followed, and on what an alternative vision of a future India may look like. Key Themes suggested for the Campaigns are as follows, with emphasis on alternative Proposals by AIPSN/BGVS: • unity in diversity: the many cultures in India, diverse beliefs and practices, history of coexistence, mutual appreciation, joint stake in a future India • communalism, prejudice against religious minorities, and distorted history, facts; • projection and imposition of a false construct of a singular a-historical pan-India “Hindu” identity cast in a Vedic-Sanskritic Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan mould to the detriment of all other Indian cultural streams, especially through school text books, HE curricula and popular discourse • false narratives about ancient Indian science, techniques and knowledge, and propagation of pseudo-science and unscientific theories and claims in school/college education as well as in popular discourse: PSM to put forward evidence-based understanding of achievements and limitations of ancient/medieval knowledge and techniques in India, also accounting for cultural exchanges with other civilizations • direct attacks on scientific temper and critical thinking, spread of pseudo-science, encouragement of superstition, false narratives and manipulated data: PSM to counter pseudo-science and false narratives, fact-checking manufactured data and related narratives, spread awareness about critical thinking and how to look for evidence • growing authoritarianism, suppression of dissent, attacks on autonomy of institutions, curbs on freedom of thought and expression: PSM to defend and promote institutional autonomy, academic freedom, pluralism and critical thinking, especially in institutions of higher learning and research • over-centralization, undermining of States autonomy, damage to decentralized, State-specific and more accountable development models and institutions especially in S&T, research, education, health and governance; • curtailing and deterioration of education, health and social /civic services through privatization / corporatization, especially growing penetration of MNCs and foreign capital; PSM to offer alternative vision of public-funded social sector • pressing need for self-reliance, contrasted with the on-going decline of public-funded and planned R&D, undermining of the research ecosystem, dismantling of the public sector and promotion of import-dependent industrial development: PSM to put forward alternative pathways to self-reliant S&T/industrial development for national progress and people’s needs • ecologically destructive pathways accompanied by neo-liberal dismantling of environmental regulations and safeguards, resulting in severe pollution and damage to ecosystems and human lives/livelihoods; alternative climate resilient, environmentally sustainable and equitable development pathways • growing corporate and MNC monopolies in TV and social media, promoting homogenization of culture and retrograde social attitudes/behavior while reinforcing retrograde social ideas, values and practices; spread of establishment views, suppression of dissenting voices, and dissemination of pseudo-science, communal prejudice and ultranationalism: Towards progressive media regulation and alternative media
• socio-economic and other public policies which reinforce or worsen the conditions of dalits, adivasis and other backward castes, while also reinforcing patriarchal values and practices, and weaken the role of women. These dimensions are seen to be cross-cutting issues in all the above sectors
4. Possible Activities
The following activities may be taken up under the Campaign: • Campaign Brochure/Leaflet • printed, illustrated popular booklets on different Themes / topics eg:
➢ traditional Knowledge & Techniques in India included from different cultural streams and civilizational exchanges (achievements and limitations);
➢ misrepresentations of Science and Social Science in NCERT Textbooks;
➢ on Pseudo-scientific narratives: true and false, and how to distinguish
➢ Cultural diversity, co-existence mutual support, and shared practices
➢ Against communalism and discrimination: unite for a strong Future India
➢ Self-Reliance in S&T: challenges, false “Atmanir- bhar Bharta” and way forward
➢ 5 Years of NEP: heading the wrong way & alternatives
➢ Privatization of Health Care: alternative pro- people strategy
➢ Media, corporate and MNCs: controlling narratives • Reels, videos on above and contemporary issues • Popular Dialogues at State / District / Block and Village-level • State-level Conventions • Kala Jathas • “Mere ghar aake to dekho” Programme (“Come to my home and see”): home visits by people of different communities • Food and Crafts melas and exhibitions highlighting diversity • Children’s’ science festivals: promoting critical thinking, not just knowledge • Citizens’ Science activities, eco-walks etc o Youth in Future India: conventions, camps, melas together with above or o Women and S&T in Future India separately organized
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