5. 2047: Globalizing Indian Thought

Abstract

Given the current trend, the world population is projected to rise to 9.5 billion in 2047. India will take the top spot with a staggering population of close to 1.6 billion to leave behind the current world leader in population, China, at the second place with 1.3 billion people. The Indian economy will easily be among the top three largest economies of the world. If one human being is considered the unit of currency of a nation rather than a dollar, a renminbi or a rupee, then India will find itself to be the richest nation of the world by virtue of its human potential. India’s voice in the coming years will be of planetary proportion. One would be optimistic and say that by the mid-century India would have found the solution to its most vexing problems of poverty, inequity and corruption through evolving institutions. Our water problem may be solved through coastal sea-water desalination using renewable energy sources. Our food and health problems will be solved through breakthrough research in agriculture and health sciences. By solving its own problems, India will have helped find solutions to the world’s most persistent problems....