Why a Nation of 1.4 Billion Failed to Become a Football Power

Posted on by Shreyas

The Forgotten Golden Age

One of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding Indian football is that the country has always occupied the margins of the international game. History tells a rather different story. During the 1950s and early 1960s, India stood among Asia’s leading football nations. Under the legendary coach Syed Abdul Rahim, often regarded as the father of modern Indian football, the national team developed a distinctive style built on technical ability, intelligent passing and tactical discipline. India won gold medals at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games, reached the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, and consistently challenged many of Asia’s strongest teams. These were not isolated victories born of fortune but evidence that India possessed both footballing talent and capable leadership at a time when much of Asia was still constructing its sporting identity.

The tragedy is not that this generation eventually declined—every successful football nation experiences cyclical rises and falls—but that India failed to institutionalise its success. Countries that establish themselves as football powers invariably transform periods of achievement into permanent structures. Winning teams inspire investment in academies, coaching education, school competitions and domestic leagues. Success becomes the catalyst for institutional reform rather than the culmination of it. India, however, largely treated its achievements as historical milestones instead of strategic opportunities. When Abdul Rahim passed away in 1963, there existed no robust framework capable of sustaining the philosophy he had created. The system had become dependent upon an extraordinary individual rather than strong institutions. As the coach disappeared, so too did much of the progress.

The contrast with Japan could hardly be more revealing. During the same era, Japan remained an unremarkable football nation with little international pedigree. Yet by the early 1990s, recognising football’s growing global importance, Japanese administrators launched one of the most ambitious sporting development programmes in modern history. The creation of the J.League in 1993 was never intended merely to establish a professional competition. It formed part of a comprehensive hundred-year vision linking grassroots participation, school football, coaching education, community clubs and professional academies into a single developmental pathway. Success was not expected immediately. Administrators understood that footballing cultures cannot be manufactured overnight. Three decades later, Japan regularly qualifies for World Cups, exports players to Europe’s elite leagues and has become one of Asia’s benchmark football nations. The difference between India and Japan was not inherent talent. It was strategic patience.

The Convenient Myth of Cricket

Few explanations have achieved greater acceptance than the belief that cricket is responsible for football’s underdevelopment. At first glance the argument appears persuasive. Cricket dominates television ratings, sponsorship revenues, newspaper coverage and public imagination. The Indian Premier League has become one of the world’s richest sporting competitions, while cricketing heroes enjoy cultural status unmatched by athletes in almost any other discipline. Football, by comparison, appears condemned to operate in cricket’s shadow.

Yet this narrative collapses under comparative analysis. Australia remains one of cricket’s traditional powers while consistently qualifying for FIFA World Cups. England simultaneously sustains the world’s richest football league and one of the strongest cricketing ecosystems ever assembled. South Africa, New Zealand and even Bangladesh demonstrate that nations are capable of supporting multiple elite sporting cultures when governance structures are sufficiently effective. Sport is rarely a zero-sum competition in which the success of one discipline inevitably causes the failure of another. Rather, successful sporting nations tend to develop institutions capable of expanding participation across multiple sports simultaneously.

Indeed, the rise of cricket in India should perhaps be viewed not as football’s obstacle but as evidence of what competent administration can achieve. Over several decades, the Board of Control for Cricket in India transformed cricket from a popular pastime into one of the world’s most sophisticated sporting industries. It professionalised domestic competitions, secured lucrative broadcasting agreements, cultivated commercial partnerships and reinvested resources into infrastructure and player development. While debates continue regarding aspects of cricket governance, its strategic direction has remained remarkably consistent. Football never benefited from comparable institutional continuity. Administrative disputes, shifting leadership, inconsistent league structures and fragmented grassroots initiatives repeatedly undermined long-term planning. Cricket did not defeat football. Football largely defeated itself.

Perhaps the most revealing evidence lies not within India but beyond it. Football has flourished in countries where it competes directly with rugby, basketball, baseball and cricket for athletes, spectators and investment. The United States now exports elite footballers to Europe’s biggest clubs despite American football, baseball and basketball commanding vastly larger domestic audiences. Rugby has never prevented France or New Zealand from producing exceptional footballers. Multiple sporting cultures can coexist. The deciding factor is not popularity but institutional competence.

Football’s Invisible Infrastructure

The popular imagination often associates football development with iconic stadiums, glamorous professional leagues or high-profile international signings. These are the visible symbols of footballing success, but they are rarely its cause. The true foundations of elite football remain largely invisible to the public. They exist in community pitches, licensed youth coaches, school competitions, regional academies and structured developmental pathways that begin when children are barely old enough to tie their own boots. By the time a seventeen-year-old debuts for Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Sporting Lisbon, the overwhelming majority of his development has already occurred. Professional football merely reveals the finished product.

Successful football nations therefore resemble manufacturing ecosystems more than entertainment industries. Germany’s reforms following the disappointment of Euro 2000 required every professional club to establish accredited youth academies. Belgium fundamentally redesigned coaching education after recognising weaknesses in player development. Spain standardised technical instruction across age groups, ensuring children from vastly different regions learned compatible footballing principles. These reforms rarely attracted newspaper headlines. Their results only became visible a decade later when a generation of technically superior players emerged.

India has often attempted to reverse this process. Rather than strengthening grassroots development before expecting international success, considerable attention has focused on professional leagues, foreign coaches and senior national team performance. These initiatives undoubtedly possess value, but they cannot compensate for weaknesses lower down the developmental pyramid. Thousands of talented Indian children undoubtedly begin playing football each year. Far fewer receive systematic coaching. Fewer still experience high-quality competition on a weekly basis. By late adolescence, many abandon football altogether because educational obligations, financial pressures or limited career prospects interrupt their progress. Talent is discovered. It is simply not retained.

This phenomenon is often referred to by sports economists as the “missing middle.” Grassroots participation may exist, and professional football may exist, but the developmental bridge connecting the two remains incomplete. Countries such as Croatia, Portugal and the Netherlands minimise this attrition through highly organised academy systems. Every promising player understands precisely what progression looks like from local club to professional football. India continues to rely far more heavily on individual determination than institutional design. That is an extraordinarily inefficient method of producing elite athletes.

The Indian Super League and the Illusion of Progress

When the Indian Super League (ISL) was launched in 2014, it promised nothing less than a revolution. Backed by corporate investment, international broadcasters and a roster of globally recognised players approaching the twilight of their careers, the league appeared to represent the beginning of Indian football’s professional era. Stadiums were fuller than they had been for decades, television production rivalled Europe’s top competitions, and for the first time football occupied mainstream conversations outside its traditional strongholds. International stars such as Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires, Diego Forlán, Nicolas Anelka and Roberto Carlos lent the league a degree of credibility that Indian football had rarely enjoyed. For investors, broadcasters and sponsors, the ISL was proof that football possessed commercial potential in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

Commercially, the league can scarcely be described as a failure. Attendances improved dramatically during its early years, television audiences expanded, private capital entered a sport that had long struggled for investment, and clubs began constructing modern training facilities and professional backroom operations. The league also succeeded in introducing higher standards of sports science, nutrition, analytics and marketing. In many respects, the ISL modernised the business of Indian football.

Yet football history repeatedly demonstrates that successful leagues do not automatically create successful national teams. The assumption that professionalisation inevitably produces international competitiveness confuses cause with effect. Strong domestic leagues are not valuable merely because they entertain supporters; they are valuable because they function as production lines for elite footballers. The Bundesliga, Eredivisie, J.League and Croatian First Football League all serve this dual purpose. Their commercial success is closely linked to their ability to develop domestic players who eventually strengthen national teams or move abroad to more competitive environments. Without this developmental function, a league risks becoming little more than an entertainment product.

The Indian Super League has struggled to resolve this contradiction. Clubs understandably operate under commercial pressures that reward immediate success. Foreign players, often more experienced and tactically refined than their domestic counterparts, provide the quickest route to competitive results. Coaches, whose employment depends upon short-term performance, naturally prioritise reliable professionals over inexperienced academy graduates. Owners seek trophies, broadcasters seek compelling matches and supporters demand victories. None of these incentives are irrational. Yet collectively they create an environment in which long-term player development becomes secondary to short-term competitiveness.

This is not a uniquely Indian problem. Major League Soccer in the United States faced similar criticism during its first two decades, relying heavily on ageing international stars while producing relatively few elite American footballers. The difference is that American clubs gradually restructured incentives around academy investment, introducing homegrown player rules, substantial youth funding and pathways linking professional clubs to local communities. Today, American players routinely transfer to Europe’s strongest leagues before their twenty-first birthday. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Gio Reyna represent products of a system that consciously shifted its priorities from attracting attention to producing talent. India has begun taking similar steps, but the transformation remains incomplete.

Perhaps the greatest limitation of the ISL has been its inability to generate a sufficiently demanding competitive environment for young Indian players. Elite footballers improve not merely through coaching but through repetition against opponents of comparable or greater quality. Spanish academy players often participate in forty to fifty competitive matches annually. Young footballers in Germany, Portugal and France experience structured league systems that expose them to progressively higher standards as they mature. India’s football calendar, by contrast, has historically been fragmented. Opportunities for sustained, meaningful competition have remained inconsistent across age groups and regions. A player who trains diligently but competes infrequently develops far more slowly than one exposed to constant tactical and technical challenges.

This issue becomes even more significant when viewed through the lens of global football economics. Europe’s leading clubs no longer simply scout established professionals; they identify promising teenagers long before they reach senior football. Jude Bellingham left Birmingham City at seventeen. Endrick signed for Real Madrid before his nineteenth birthday. Lamine Yamal became a Barcelona regular while still a schoolboy. Modern football increasingly rewards nations capable of accelerating player development during adolescence. India continues to produce talented youngsters, but too few accumulate the volume and intensity of competition necessary to reach international standards before those crucial developmental windows begin to close.

The Indian Super League therefore illustrates one of football’s central lessons: infrastructure is necessary but insufficient. Stadiums matter. Television audiences matter. Corporate investment matters. Yet these visible indicators of progress cannot substitute for the less glamorous work of producing footballers. A nation does not become competitive because it builds professional clubs. It becomes competitive because those clubs become educational institutions as much as sporting organisations. Until every ISL academy is regarded as strategically important as the senior first team, Indian football will continue to modernise commercially faster than it develops competitively.

The Coaching Crisis

If football has a hidden currency, it is coaching. Players may decide matches, but coaches shape generations. The quality of a nation’s football education depends less upon the manager standing on the touchline during international tournaments than upon the thousands of youth coaches working on community pitches every evening. It is here, often far from television cameras and professional stadiums, that future footballers first learn how to receive the ball under pressure, interpret space, anticipate movement and make decisions instinctively rather than consciously. By the time a player reaches professional football, many of these habits have become deeply ingrained. Elite coaches refine them; they rarely create them from nothing.

This reality explains why countries that transformed their football fortunes invariably began by reforming coaching rather than competitions. Germany’s response to the disappointment of Euro 2000 was not merely to establish new academies but to standardise coaching education across the country. Belgium introduced a unified coaching philosophy emphasising technical development from the youngest age groups. Spain ensured that possession, spatial awareness and intelligent movement became common principles taught regardless of region or club. These nations recognised that football identity is transmitted not through slogans or mission statements but through thousands of coaches teaching similar principles over many years.

India’s coaching landscape remains considerably more fragmented. Outstanding coaches undoubtedly exist, particularly within established footballing regions such as Goa, West Bengal, Kerala and the North-East. However, access to high-quality coaching varies enormously depending upon geography, economic circumstances and institutional support. Many talented children spend formative years under volunteers or part-time coaches with limited access to modern training methodologies. Others receive coaching focused primarily on physical conditioning or winning youth tournaments rather than long-term technical development. Such approaches are understandable within resource constraints, but they often prioritise immediate success over future excellence.

This imbalance becomes particularly evident when comparing coaching density across successful football nations. Croatia, despite its small population, maintains an extensive network of licensed coaches relative to the number of registered players. Japan invested heavily in expanding coaching qualifications following the establishment of the J.League, recognising that every additional qualified youth coach represented an investment in future national teams. Even Morocco’s remarkable emergence as a global football force can be traced partly to systematic improvements in coaching education alongside investments in elite academies. Football development, in each case, began with educators rather than superstars.

There is also a cultural dimension to coaching that deserves greater attention. In many successful football nations, youth coaches are evaluated less on trophies than on player progression. A youth team losing matches while producing technically gifted footballers may still be considered successful if players continue advancing through the system. India has too often measured youth football through conventional competitive outcomes. Coaches facing pressure to win school tournaments or academy leagues frequently adopt conservative tactics designed to maximise immediate results rather than encourage creativity, risk-taking and technical experimentation. The consequence is a generation of players conditioned to avoid mistakes instead of learning from them.

The challenge therefore extends beyond increasing the number of licensed coaches. It requires redefining what coaching success means. Producing one international footballer contributes more to national development than winning ten under-14 tournaments. Nations that consistently export players understand this distinction instinctively. They evaluate academies by graduates rather than medals. Until Indian football adopts a similar philosophy, coaching will remain an underutilised resource rather than the engine of long-term transformation.

The Missing Culture of Competition

One of the least appreciated drivers of football development is neither infrastructure nor coaching, but competition itself. Great footballers are not simply trained; they are tested. Every meaningful match forces players to solve tactical problems under pressure, adapt to unfamiliar opponents and make decisions in fractions of a second. Training develops technique, but competition develops intelligence. The world’s strongest football systems therefore ensure that promising players experience hundreds of demanding matches before reaching adulthood.

In Europe and South America, elite youth football resembles an educational curriculum. Each age group introduces progressively greater tactical complexity, physical intensity and psychological pressure. Clubs compete regularly throughout long seasons, while regional and national tournaments expose players to unfamiliar styles and higher standards. Defeat is not feared because it becomes part of the developmental process. Every difficult opponent accelerates learning.

India’s competitive ecosystem has historically lacked this consistency. Many promising youngsters train diligently for weeks before playing relatively few meaningful matches. Regional disparities remain considerable, with some states possessing vibrant football cultures while others struggle to organise regular competitions. School football, private academies, state associations and professional clubs often operate parallel systems rather than integrated pathways. Instead of a continuous ladder leading towards elite football, young players frequently encounter disconnected stages requiring them to navigate institutional uncertainty as much as athletic development.

The consequences become visible at senior level. Indian players often display technical quality and enthusiasm but struggle when confronted with the relentless tactical speed demanded by international football. This is not necessarily because they lack ability. It is because they have encountered fewer environments requiring them to think and execute under sustained pressure. Football intelligence develops through accumulated experience. Every additional competitive match expands a player’s catalogue of tactical solutions.

Countries such as the Netherlands have long embraced the principle that development should be measured by exposure rather than protection. Young players are deliberately challenged against older, stronger and more technically accomplished opponents. Mistakes are viewed not as failures but as essential components of learning. India has often taken the opposite approach, shielding talented players from excessive difficulty or restricting opportunities through fragmented competition structures. The result is that many players arrive at senior football having mastered isolated technical skills but lacking the competitive instincts that emerge only through repeated exposure to demanding matches.

If coaching forms football’s classroom, competition provides its examination. Nations that consistently produce elite footballers ensure that examinations occur every weekend. India has too often excelled at organising lessons while neglecting the tests that transform potential into performance.

A Choice, Not a Destiny

It is tempting to describe India as football’s “sleeping giant,” a phrase that has been repeated so often it has become almost meaningless. Sleeping implies inevitability—that awakening is simply a matter of time. History suggests otherwise. There are no sleeping giants in football, only nations that choose to build institutions and those that do not. Population guarantees nothing. Economic growth guarantees nothing. Passion, commercial value and television audiences guarantee nothing. Croatia did not reach World Cup finals because it possessed more people than India. Japan did not become Asia’s benchmark because football was its most popular sport. Morocco did not rewrite African football history through chance alone. Each succeeded because it committed, often for decades, to building systems that outlived governments, administrators, coaches and generations of players. Their success was not accidental; it was institutional.

India now stands at a similar crossroads. For the first time in its history, it possesses the economic resources, technological capabilities, commercial interest and public enthusiasm to fundamentally reshape its football ecosystem. Yet these advantages will remain little more than unrealised potential unless they are matched by patience and institutional discipline. Football development cannot be measured by the launch of a new league, the appointment of a foreign coach or the hosting of a major tournament. It must be measured by whether a talented twelve-year-old in Imphal, Kozhikode, Kolkata or Goa can follow a clear, uninterrupted pathway to elite football regardless of background or geography. That requires investing less in spectacles and more in coaches, academies, school competitions and local clubs. It requires accepting that the true returns on today’s decisions may not be visible for fifteen or twenty years.

Perhaps the greatest misconception surrounding Indian football is that it is waiting for a golden generation. In reality, golden generations are rarely discovered—they are manufactured. They emerge when institutions become so effective that excellence ceases to be exceptional and instead becomes routine. The question facing Indian football, therefore, is not whether the country possesses enough talented children; with a population of over 1.4 billion, it almost certainly does. The question is whether it is finally prepared to build the machinery capable of finding them, educating them and allowing them to flourish. Until then, India will remain one of football’s largest audiences but one of its smallest competitors—a nation that consumes the world’s game with extraordinary passion while contributing remarkably little to its highest levels. If that changes, it will not be because India found more talent than everyone else. It will be because, at long last, it learned that football’s greatest victories are won long before kick-off.

The Economic Dynamics of International Education: Balancing Investments, Impacts, and Opportunities.

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Foreign education has become a sought-after alternative for students looking for global exposure and improved professional chances in an interconnected world. The financial ramifications, effects, drawbacks, and benefits of pursuing education abroad are all included in the economics of international education. It’s believed that a foreign education makes life simpler and increases opportunities, but how much of this is actually true? With nearly a quarter of the global population migrating to different places everywhere, how does getting a foreign education make life simpler for the economy and what seems to be its consequences on the host country and the country the migrants come from.

Numerous effects of international education are felt by people, cultures, and economies. First of all, it demands large financial commitments. Tuition, housing, transport, and living expenses are just a few of the charges that international students must pay. However, their presence also has a large economic impact on the host nations. International students significantly boost the local economy by spending billions of dollars at local companies, universities, and other educational institutions.

Brain drain effect is another side effect of international education, particularly for underdeveloped nations. Highly talented students may lose their potential and skills in their native countries if they decide to continue their education overseas and then reside there. Local development is hampered by this brain drain, which also keeps socioeconomic problems alive. Not only does it cause an economic brain drain, The development of global networks and cross-cultural dialogue are made possible by international education. Studying abroad exposes students to a variety of cultures, viewpoints, and ideas, which promotes tolerance and understanding across national and cultural boundaries. Additionally, the host nation can influence others and project its values and ideologies by enticing and influencing international students.

However, The high costs of foreign education create barriers, limiting access primarily to those from privileged backgrounds. This perpetuates inequality in educational opportunities and widens the global knowledge gap. Furthermore, the concentration of international students in prestigious institutions can create an imbalanced educational landscape. Following as mentioned earlier, The brain drain effect has been a subject of debate. Critics argue that developing countries lose their best talent, exacerbating socio-economic challenges and hindering progress. Encouraging students to return and contribute to their home countries’ development is seen as a potential solution. While cultural exchange is a positive aspect, there is a concern that some students might lose touch with their native culture or struggle to assimilate into the host country’s culture. This can lead to identity issues and feelings of alienation, impacting students’ overall experience and mental well-being. As a result of people from other nations migrating with stronger skill sets and taking the jobs of the natives in the country, there is also rivalry among the population of the host country leading to cultural and socio-political problems such as racism, xenophobia etc. For instance, 63% of international students studying in Ireland have experienced racism, which has had a negative influence on both the country’s socioeconomic situation and the international students who had planned to study there.

With a large majority of students wanting to study in the United states, the United states posses a great concern for students as Economically speaking, studying abroad in the United States has some drawbacks, mostly because of the high expenditures of tuition and living expenses. Significant financial challenges are frequently faced by international students who are pursuing their education in the US. Significant financial strain may result from the rising cost of tuition combined with the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and other necessities. the high costs associated with foreign education in the United States can have several implications. Firstly, it can lead to increased levels of student debt, High levels of student debt can place a burden on individuals, potentially affecting their financial well-being and limiting their ability to invest or contribute to the economy in the long run. Moreover, the financial strain experienced by international students may result in limited spending on non-essential goods and services, which can have a negative impact on local businesses and the overall economy. Additionally, the cost barriers associated with foreign education may limit access primarily to students from more privileged backgrounds, perpetuating inequality in educational opportunities and potentially contributing to a skewed distribution of talent and skills in the global labor market.

The economics of international education cover a variety of effects, drawbacks, and benefits. There are legitimate worries about brain drain, inequality, and cultural assimilation despite the fact that it can have good effects like economic growth, cross-cultural interaction, and improved career chances. Policies that enable accessibility, encourage talent retention, and assist students’ general wellbeing are necessary to address these problems.

India’s Emergence as the Next Diplomatic Leader: A Global Power in the Making

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India has established itself as a growing diplomatic power, ready to play a significant role in reshaping the world order in an era of fast change. India has steadily become a force to be reckoned with on the global scene thanks to its rich cultural legacy, advantageous geographic location, and healthy economy. India has emerged as a frontrunner to take on the role of the next diplomatic leader as the globe searches for new leaders to steer it through complicated challenges. This is due to India’s diplomatic skill and dedication to multilateralism.

India’s rise to international prominence has been significantly influenced by both its economic development and its influence in the region. India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world thanks to its outstanding economic growth over the last few decades. India has grown to be the sixth-largest economy in the world with a GDP of over $3 trillion, attracting interest and investment from around the world.

A wide range of industries, including information technology, manufacturing, services, and agriculture, have contributed to the nation’s economic success. India’s growing middle class and consumer base have also supported the country’s economic growth. India’s ability to utilize its economic power and create strategic alliances with other countries has increased its regional influence. Through efforts like the “Neighbourhood First” policy, which aims to promote deeper engagement and collaboration within the South Asian area, India has taken the initiative to build economic relations with its neighbors.

Additionally, India has a regional influence that goes beyond its local vicinity. The nation has followed an active and proportionate foreign policy, cooperating with both powerful nations and developing economies. India has been able to assert its influence in the larger Asian area because of its membership in regional organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. India has taken a leading role in influencing regional dynamics by fortifying its diplomatic and economic connections with nations around Asia.

Even if economic development undoubtedly has a significant impact, India’s dedication to multilateralism is what propels it to become the next world power. Their foreign policy has made this a top priority. India has constantly pushed for a multilateral structure that is more robust and inclusive. The nation firmly believes that international cooperation and group efforts are the only effective ways for states to address global concerns.

India places a lot of emphasis on participatory decision-making procedures as one of its main tenets of multilateralism. India has long advocated for reforming international institutions of governance, such as the UN Security Council, to better reflect modern geopolitical realities and give emerging economies more clout. It aims for a more equitable distribution of authority and representation within these institutions, understanding that decision-making requires a range of viewpoints.

The state’s active participation in initiatives and multilateral platforms to address urgent global concerns. It interacts with other countries to find answers to economic, social, and environmental problems through forums including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the G20, and BRICS. India’s participation in these platforms displays its readiness to collaborate with other nations in order to achieve common objectives and to create solutions based on agreements that are advantageous to all parties.

Support for peacekeeping operations is another example of India’s dedication to multilateralism. The nation has made one of the largest financial contributions to UN missions for maintaining world peace and security, proving its dedication to doing so. Indian peacekeepers have been instrumental in maintaining peace and delivering aid in troubled areas around the world.

India’s strong renewable energy targets demonstrate a commitment to climate change. The nation has set a target of 450 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 175 GW of the capacity coming from solar and wind sources. This dedication to clean energy encourages innovation and job growth in the renewable sector while simultaneously lowering carbon emissions. India is seen as a leader in the shift to a green economy due to its concentration on renewable energy.

The state has also actively participated in international climate negotiations, which has helped to shape the Paris Agreement. The nation has pushed for the idea of shared but distinct obligations, highlighting the necessity of affluent countries aiding developing nations in their attempts to mitigate climate change and adapt to it. India’s participation in international climate forums gives it a platform to discuss its experiences, difficulties, and accomplishments while also assisting in the development of more inclusive and fair global climate policies.

With the country being the global leader in addressing climate change. The nation has actively participated in South-South cooperation, lending its resources and experience to other developing countries. India has pledged help for partner nations’ efforts to combat climate change through technology transfer, capacity building, and renewable energy initiatives. Through such activities, India has established a solid reputation as a knowledgeable adviser and partner in the worldwide fight against climate change.

The world is constantly changing, and with India’s economy ranking as the fifth largest in the world and its moves in diplomatic matters, India is assuming a key role in becoming the next diplomatic leader. With India serving as the G20 president and taking the SCO chair, it is growing stronger every day and making preparations to take over as the world’s diplomatic leader. 

Venezuela’s Economic Instability: A Result of Socialist Policies?

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Venezuela. a country located on the northern coast of South America. Bordered by Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the east, has a population of approximately 28 million people. In modern times, Venezuela has faced significant political and economic challenges, since 1998 Socialist era of Hugo Chávez, led to a significant redistribution of wealth in the country. But how has this impacted the overall economy? Well for that we need to analyze the situation of Venezuela in 1998.

Venezuela’s economy was having a difficult time in 1994-1999 due to high levels of poverty, inequality, and inflation. The economy of the nation was primarily dependent on oil exports, which generated 50% of its GDP and almost 80% of all export revenue. In an effort to solve the nation’s economic problems at the time, the Venezuelan government under President Rafael Caldera launched a number of economic reforms. The economy was liberalized, state-owned businesses were privatized, and government spending was decreased as a result of these reforms.

In order to combat poverty and inequality, Chávez’s administration undertook a number of programs, including raising social expenditures, nationalizing specific businesses, and enacting land reform. The decrease of poverty and social indices improved somewhat as a result of these policies, but they also contributed to the country’s economic instability and high inflation in the years that followed.

Venezuela saw enormous political and economic changes under the Chavez administration, which lasted from 1999 until his death in 2013. Chavez was a socialist and populist politician who aimed to carry out the “Bolivarian Revolution,” which he nicknamed after the independence hero of Latin America, Simon Bolivar. The nationalization of important businesses including oil, telecommunications, and electricity was one of Chavez’s most prominent policies. He claimed that these industries ought to be governed by the government in order to guarantee that whatever profits they produce are used to benefit the Venezuelan people. Many Venezuelans, who had long believed that the nation’s wealth was concentrated in the hands of a select few, supported this action.

Chavez also put into place a number of social initiatives meant to combat inequality and poverty. These included initiatives to offer the poor free healthcare, education, and housing. These “missions,” or social programs, were created to help the most disadvantaged members of Venezuelan society.

Chavez’s policies also created serious economic difficulties. Food and other products were substantially subsidized by his government, which resulted in massive inflation. Additionally, the government imposed severe price controls on a number of items, creating shortages and illegal markets. The decline in oil prices in the late 2000s, which led to a sizable decrease in government revenue, made these economic difficulties worse.

Additionally criticized for its authoritarian inclinations were Chavez’s government’s handling of political rivals and its control of the media. Despite these accusations, Chavez continued to have support from many Venezuelans who considered him as a champion of the underprivileged and a representation of the independence of Latin America. Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s successor after his death in 2013, carried on many of his ideas, including the nationalization of important companies and the introduction of social programs.

Recent years have seen a severe economic crisis in the nation, marked by hyperinflation, shortages of necessities like food and medication, and pervasive poverty. A decline in oil prices has made the economic situation worse by sharply reducing government revenue.

The Maduro administration has also come under fire for having authoritarian tendencies, which include repressing political opposition and limiting media freedoms. As a result of the harsh international condemnation, many nations have imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela.

Venezuela has seen severe social unrest as a result of the political and economic crises, including public protests and acts of violence. With millions of Venezuelans departing their country in quest of better chances abroad, the crisis has also significantly increased emigration.

The Chavez administration’s influence on Venezuela in the present has been uneven. Despite the fact that many Venezuelans still see Chavez as a symbol of hope and change, the nation and its citizens are now facing formidable obstacles as a result of the economic crisis and political unrest.

Crypto-currencies, what happened, and where are they now?

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With the rise of cryptocurrencies, the financial environment has undergone a huge change recently. The way we transact, invest, and perceive money has been completely transformed by these digital currencies. Because they are decentralised and run on blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies allow for safe, transparent, and unchangeable transactions. The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was launched in 2009 by an unidentified person or group of individuals using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto. At that time, governments, traders, and investors all over the world have started to pay more attention to and utilise cryptocurrencies.

The initial adoption of cryptocurrency was slow, and it took several years for the concept to gain mainstream attention. The first step in the adoption of cryptocurrencies by the general public was the 2009 release of Bitcoin by an unidentified author or group of developers operating under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. At the time, early adopters and tech enthusiasts who were interested in Bitcoin’s potential as a decentralised and secure method of conducting transactions made up the majority of its user base. It took a while before the idea of cryptocurrencies caught the attention of the general public. In a few more years the Cyprus financial crisis, which made people lose faith in conventional banking systems, contributed to the rise in popularity of Bitcoin in 2013. Bitcoin provided a different method of carrying out transactions that was exempt from the restrictions and rules that traditional banking was. As a result, the value of Bitcoin significantly increased, drawing greater interest from investors and the media.

Yet when more individuals became aware of cryptocurrencies’ advantages, such as the speed and security of transactions, their acceptance expanded quickly. The demand for an alternate method of conducting financial transactions and the growing unhappiness with established banking systems were two important factors that contributed to the emergence of cryptocurrencies. With the advent of cryptocurrencies, the traditional banking system became more accessible to people all over the world as a decentralised and secure alternative. The concept gained more validity and credibility as major companies and financial institutions started to investigate the potential of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Also, the creation of user-friendly wallets and the proliferation of cryptocurrency exchanges made it simpler for users to purchase, sell, and store cryptocurrencies, which further increased their appeal. As a result, cryptocurrencies have taken on a prominent role in the world of finance, with numerous individuals and organisations adopting the technology as a competitive alternative to conventional banking systems.

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have experienced astounding success. The value of Bitcoin, the first and best-known cryptocurrency, increased from a few pennies in its early years to more than $50,000 in 2021. With billions of dollars being invested in the industry annually, other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple have all seen considerable growth.The decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies is one of the factors contributing to their popularity. Cryptocurrencies have some autonomy and independence since, unlike traditional currencies, they are not governed by a single entity or government. Because to their ability to function independently of conventional financial systems, they can give consumers more privacy, security, and control over their financial activities.

Eventhough things seemed to finally settledown, In February 2021, India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced in her annual budget speech that the government plans to introduce a bill to regulate cryptocurrencies. The bill was expected to provide clarity on the legal status of cryptocurrencies in India and establish a regulatory framework for the sector. The move was welcomed by the cryptocurrency community in India, who had long been calling for clear regulations to govern the use and trading of cryptocurrencies. The measure is anticipated to address topics like taxing digital currency, stopping money laundering and other criminal activity, and safeguarding consumer interests. Also, the government has made it known that it intends to launch a virtual currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India, which would mark a big change in the country’s virtual currency market.

The possibility for investment gains offered by cryptocurrencies is another element that has contributed to their success. Even though the market can be unpredictable, there have been numerous success stories of those who have invested in cryptocurrencies with the intention of generating a profit and have seen big returns on their investments. Additionally, new use cases for cryptocurrencies outside of payments are now possible because to the development of blockchain technology. Decentralized applications allow developers to build new applications and services that run on a blockchain network, while smart contracts, for instance, enable the automation and execution of contractual agreements without the need for middlemen.

However, when things seemed to go smoothly for cryptocurrencies, there was a sudden opposition against its validity and its use.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country’s central bank, declared a ban on cryptocurrencies in 2018 and forbade banks and other financial institutions from doing business with cryptocurrency exchanges and traders. The action was taken to reduce the risks connected to cryptocurrencies, including money laundering, financing of terrorism, and other illicit acts. The RBI also voiced concerns about the bitcoin market’s lack of regulatory oversight and consumer protection. The Indian cryptocurrency community, however, vigorously opposed the prohibition, claiming that it was unnecessary and would inhibit innovation in the industry. The restriction was contested in court by a number of cryptocurrency exchanges, and in 2020 the Indian Supreme Court struck it down, ruling that it was unconstitutional.

We’re in the year 2023 and all of a sudden any talk regarding crypto-currencies has disappeared from mainstream, while cryptoheads still keep pooling their money into various small time crypto-currencies, its losing value is something that has made people avoid it, the once shinning Ethereum and bitcoin has seemed to take a big hit and has kept losing its value over a linear gradient. cryptocurrencies have gone a long way since their conception and have proven to be a reliable asset class and competitive alternative to fiat money. The decentralised character of cryptocurrencies, the possibility of investment returns, and the development of blockchain technology are all factors in their popularity. The future of cryptocurrencies is bright, with many experts projecting ongoing development and innovation in the years to come, despite the difficulties and concerns surrounding regulation and adoption that still exist.

Cryptocurrencies do, however, come with hazards, including volatility, security issues, and the possibility of fraud and scams, just like any other new technology. Before making an investment in or using cryptocurrencies, it is crucial for people and organisations to conduct their due diligence and understand the risks involved. With its wide range of potential uses, and new ones are constantly being created. The potential of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology is enormous, ranging from offering a private and secure method of payment to opening up new avenues for decentralised finance and government. It will be crucial for regulators, investors, and companies to collaborate as the industry develops and matures in order to build a sustainable and ethical ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana scheme!

Posted on by Shreyas

Following the long-lasting rule of the accidental prime minister, the BJP seized control of India’s sovereignty, with Narendra Modi serving as the country’s face as prime minister. With the BJP party’s democratically elected rule, the government intended to implement some reforms to change the country’s economic policies and provide more opportunities for young and upcoming business and entrepreneurs. The new India sought to broaden its horizon and allow more business to settle in order to avoid becoming oligopolistic. 

Many new schemes were introduced with the formation of this new government, including the Jan Dhan to Jan Suraksha, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, and many others. However, one scheme stands out above the rest: the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. This scheme was implemented in 2015, a year after the Modi government took office. The programme was designed to provide loans to micro and small businesses. The loans are given without any collateral and are intended to improve the beneficiaries’ livelihoods by creating job opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship, and improving beneficiaries’ livelihoods.

In India, small and micro businesses face a number of challenges, including limited access to credit and financial resources, which prevents them from expanding and growing. The PMMY scheme was created to address these issues by providing small and micro businesses with loans with no collateral. Loans are available in several categories, including Shishu, Kishore, and Tarun, to meet the needs of various segments of micro and small businesses. The loans are classified in order to meet the various needs of micro and small businesses. Loans were classified based on the size, turnover, and credit requirements of the businesses.

The first type of loan that this scheme provides is “Shishu” It is designed for businesses in their early stages of development and provides loans up to Rs. 50,000. Next is the “Kishore” It is intended for micro and small businesses that have progressed beyond the Shishu stage and require more credit. This category of loans ranges from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakh. The Kishore category is especially useful for small businesses that have a good track record but are unable to obtain traditional bank loans due to a lack of collateral or credit history.

Lastly, comes the Tarun scheme, It is designed for established micro and small businesses that have a higher credit requirement and are looking to expand further. Loans under this category range from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. All of these loans are used to provide support to businesses engaged in a wide range of activities, including agriculture, trading, manufacturing, and service sectors. The loans can be used for various purposes, such as working capital, machinery purchases, and other business-related expenses.

As of April 2022, the government of India has distributed around 34.42 crores in loans, additionally this has helped in reducing the unemployment in India, thereby increasing the overall GDP of India in the long run, by providing small-scale, micro-enterprises with initial credit facilities. Additionally Informal business have been included into the formal economy, new ventures of business, the scheme will on the one hand employ millions and on the other will broaden India’s overall tax base, because till today the informal economy of India remains untaxed and rarely monitored.  The scheme also expands India’s financial inclusion It intends to use information technology to reach its credit delivery mechanism to micro-businesses and industry in even the most remote parts of the country. 

The establishment of the MUDRA bank, as envisaged under this scheme, will greatly aid in the management of the network of micro-finance institutions through consistent regulations. The new registrations made possible by this scheme will help to strengthen the country’s banking institutions. With the introduction of this scheme, many small business have the opportunity to import goods from foreign markets, this has allowed integration of global business into smaller markets and therefore has made the integration of globalisation even easier. 

Additionally, the Center has begun to distribute 10 lakh jobs this year. In the Employment Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), new accounts (UAN) numbers were opened on average at a rate of 15 lakh. 12.94 lakh new employees joined EPFO in October of previous year, followed by 15.42 lakh in September, 16.94 lakh in August, 18.23 lakh in July, 18.36 lakh in June, 16.82 in May, and 17.08 lakh in April. The table below gives the state-state analysis of the number of loans sanctioned by each state.

If compared to the list of poorest states in India

The number of states that have benefited from this plan is displayed in the table above. When compared to the states on our list of the poorest states The second-poorest state in India is Jharkhand, as can be observed. This further demonstrates how the introduction of this scheme has acted as a way of light to many of these states that are in low economic conditions and are now getting opportunities to earn money to feed their families and aid in India’s economic growth. India is ranked 15th for the state to take the most loans on top as well as the likes of Bihar and Assam, considered to be one of the poorest states in India are taking massive loans. The many employment opportunities have helped the people of Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam and therefore In India, many of the workers that are responsible for infrastructural development come from this region. 

In response to the shifting economic and commercial climate, it is anticipated that the landscape of MSME schemes would change and broaden in the future. The MSME sector is poised to undergo considerable transformation and expansion with the arrival of digital technologies. The government is probably going to put a lot of effort towards digitalization and technology integration in the MSME sector in order to boost productivity, expand market access, and boost MSMEs’ competitiveness in general. Future government actions are anticipated to help MSMEs’ expansion and advancement, notably in the fields of finance, technology, marketing, and human capital development. Additionally, entrepreneurship promotion and aiding start-ups and new firms may receive more attention.

The Struggle for Progress: Examining the Impact of Socialism on India’s Political and Social Landscape

Posted on by Shreyas

India, a southern Asian country bordered by Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Bangladesh, was once regarded as the wealthiest country in the world during the Columbus era, and at one point in time, it covered almost 50% of the Asian continent. However, after the British rule, the country was left tattered with severe debts and a GDP per capita that could only suffice for a person’s one-day meal.

India officially gained its independence from the British on August 15th, 1947 after 200 years of slavery. The Indian National Congress (INC) played a vital role in the country’s independence, with Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi being the most influential figures according to NCRT textbooks. The INC’s goal was to fight for India’s freedom and dissolve after independence. Gandhi proposed that leaders should form political parties and contest for a democratic election to decide the first leader of India.

However, the INC realized that the party had become a brand that could not be dissolved, and it had become a sign of freedom and independence. If they fought the election, they would easily garner people’s votes, and those fighting against the INC could be considered perpetrators of the foundation of India’s independence. This gave the INC a major advantage to fight the elections and be the winning party.

The first leader of India was decided by an internal election between Jawahar Lal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel, a legend in the Indian freedom movement whose name has been disregarded in many history textbooks. Unfortunately, Nehru was chosen as the leader, with Gandhi’s decision was based on Nehru’s well-known reputation abroad, which would play a great role in forming international relations with other countries.

This decision led India to enter a socialist democratic regime where foreign companies were kicked out of the country and for the pride of nationalism, India became one of the poorest countries of the time. Globalization was completely unwelcome, and the government had to rely on boosting its national sector to produce goods and services. Iconic brands such as Hindustan Ambassador, Premier Padmini, and many more became the sole providers in India. Companies such as Amul, Tata Steels etc took the frontline initiative in India and dominated the industry. However, with the business being in a state of monopoly, they had the option to produce as many goods as they wanted at whatever price.

One of the main criticisms of the Nehru government is its slow economic growth and lack of development in certain areas, particularly in rural areas. Despite Nehru’s focus on industrialization and modernisation, many rural areas remained underdeveloped and poverty-stricken. This was due in part to the government’s failure to invest in infrastructure and services in these areas, as well as a lack of attention to the needs of the rural population. 

The Nehru government’s corruption and nepotism in government. These issues hindered the country’s progress, as they led to a lack of accountability and transparency in government. This made it difficult for the government to effectively address the needs of the population and contributed to a general sense of disillusionment among the public. The Nehru government’s failure to address issues of poverty and inequality is also a major criticism. Despite Nehru’s rhetoric of social justice and equality, many Indians remained trapped in poverty, with little access to education, healthcare, or other basic services. This led to widespread social unrest and contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction with the government. 

The Nehru government’s lack of attention to the issue of the rising population is also a major criticism. Despite the government’s efforts to promote family planning and population control, the population of India continued to grow rapidly, putting further strain on resources and contributing to issues of poverty and inequality. 

The biggest problem of the Nehru government was its handling of the 1962 war with China and the 1965 war with Pakistan, which was criticized as mishandled by some. The government’s lack of preparedness and poor military strategy in these conflicts led to significant losses for India and damaged the country’s reputation on the international stage. The Nehru government’s foreign policy, particularly its stance on non-alignment, has also been criticized. Some argue that Nehru’s policy was too sympathetic to the Soviet Union and not sufficiently supportive of the West, which led to a lack of support from the international community during the 1962 war with China. 

The Nehru government’s treatment of minorities and religious groups is another major criticism. Despite Nehru’s commitment to secularism and tolerance, the government’s policies often led to tensions and conflicts between different communities, which contributed to a sense of division and mistrust among the population. Finally, the Nehru government’s handling of the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan is also a major criticism. Despite efforts to resolve the issue through diplomacy, the dispute remains unresolved to this day and continues to be a major source of tension between the two countries. 

Lal Bahadur Shastri served as the Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966, following the death of Jawaharlal Nehru. During his time in office, Shastri focused on improving India’s economy and addressing issues of poverty and inequality. He introduced a number of economic reforms, including the Green Revolution, which helped to increase agricultural productivity and food security. He also pursued a policy of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence and played a key role in resolving the 1965 war between India and Pakistan. 

Morarji Desai served as the Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979. During his time in office, he implemented a number of economic policies aimed at reducing government intervention in the economy and promoting private enterprise. He also took a number of steps to address corruption and improve transparency in government. However, his government was criticized for its handling of the economy, which was facing a severe balance of payments crisis, and for its failure to address issues of poverty and inequality. Desai also took a stance of non-alignment and worked to improve relations with other countries, and also made efforts to improve relationships between different religious and ethnic groups in India

However, the heiress to the throne of congress, Indra Gandhi took over the prime minister seat, and Indira Gandhi’s regime was led by authoritarian tendencies. In 1975, she declared a state of emergency, suspending civil liberties and clamping down on political opposition. This period, known as the “Emergency,” saw widespread human rights abuses, including the arrest and detention of political opponents and journalists, as well as forced sterilization campaigns. Many critics have also accused her of using the emergency to consolidate her own power and silence dissent.

Furthermore, Indira Gandhi’s economic policies were also criticized for their negative impact on the economy. Her government’s policy of import substitution, which aimed to reduce dependence on foreign imports by promoting domestic industries, led to a decline in exports and a balance of payments crisis. Additionally, her nationalization of major banks and other industries was seen as a heavy-handed approach that stifled economic growth. 

Lastly, Indira Gandhi’s regime has been criticized for not doing enough to address issues of poverty and inequality in India. Despite her government’s efforts to implement poverty reduction programs and increase agricultural productivity, the gap between the rich and poor continued to widen during her tenure in office. Indira Gandhi’s regime was marked by a number of negative policies and actions that had a lasting impact on India.

After the unfortunate death of Indra Gandhi in 1984, India was in a state of mourning. Her inexperienced son Rajiv Gandhi was voted into the throne of Prime minister. Rajiv Gandhi was a man with a heart but not with the wit and intellect of a leader. While he brought about some positive changes during his tenure in office, his policies were also marked by a number of negative aspects.

Rajiv Gandhi’s regime was his handling of the Sikh insurgency in the state of Punjab. The insurgency, which began in the early 1980s, was a separatist movement demanding a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan. Rajiv Gandhi’s government used heavy-handed tactics to quell the insurgency, including the use of the Indian army to flush out militants and the implementation of controversial laws that allowed for the detention of suspected militants without trial. These actions led to widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced disappearances. 

Rajiv Gandhi’s regime was his handling of the Sri Lankan civil war. India’s intervention in the war, known as the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operation, was seen as a failure and it resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Indian soldiers, and also caused a large number of civilian casualties. The operation also faced criticism for being heavy-handed and for not being able to bring a lasting peace solution. Additionally, Rajiv Gandhi’s economic policies were also criticized for their negative impact on the economy. His government’s policy of liberalization, which aimed to reduce government intervention in the economy and promote private enterprise, led to a decline in exports and a balance of payments crisis. Critics have also accused his government of not doing enough to address issues of poverty and inequality in India.

The death of Rajiv Gandhi led the congress regime to stop for a while, as another socialist party, named the Janta Dal took over the country. This is a party that is overlooked as it is notorious for producing prime ministers that lasted in office for only a few months, however, the negative impact they’ve had on the economy and social status of India is such that it cannot be overlooked. 

the Janata Dal’s lack of consistency in its policies. The party, which was a coalition of several regional and caste-based parties, often had conflicting policies and ideologies. This led to infighting and power struggles within the party, which prevented it from effectively governing the country. Another major criticism of the Janata Dal was its handling of the economy. The party’s economic policies were marked by a lack of direction and a failure to address the country’s economic problems. 

The party’s failure to implement effective economic reforms led to a decline in exports and a balance of payments crisis. Additionally, their lack of focus on economic policies resulted in high inflation and unemployment rate in the country. Furthermore, the Janata Dal has also been criticized for its handling of social issues. The party’s failure to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and corruption, has resulted in a lack of progress in these areas.

 Additionally, the party’s failure to address the issue of communal violence between Hindu and Muslim communities, which was on the rise during their tenure, resulted in a lack of progress on this issue as well. Lastly, the Janata Dal has also been criticized for not doing enough to address issues of corruption in India. Despite their efforts to implement anti-corruption measures, corruption continued to be a major problem during their tenure in office.

socialism has had a significant impact on India’s political and economic development. The country’s socialist policies, which were implemented during the Nehruvian era, aimed to address issues of poverty and inequality, and promote economic development. These policies led to the creation of a strong public sector, which played a key role in the country’s industrialization and modernization. However, the inefficiencies of the public sector, coupled with the lack of private sector growth, led to a decline in economic growth and a balance of payments crisis.

The socialist policies also led to a lack of progress in addressing issues of poverty and inequality. In later years, India adopted more market-oriented policies, which led to a period of economic growth and development but also increased income inequality. Ultimately, the impact of socialism on India has been mixed, with some successes in the areas of industrialization and modernization, but also a number of shortcomings in terms of economic growth and addressing issues of poverty and inequality.

The economic pandemic of 2023

Posted on by Shreyas

After 2022 comes to an end, 2023 will be a significant year for the world’s politics and economy. However, it was intimated that the world will experience an unimaginably severe recession by the middle of 2022. How will this recession fully manifest itself this year, and how will this friction have a stronger impact on our economy?

The world will experience a significant political and economic change in 2023 when the year 2022 finally comes to a conclusion. However, it was intimated that the world will experience an unimaginably severe recession by the middle of 2022. How will this recession fully manifest this year, and how will this friction have a stronger impact on our economy?

When one of the participants in the economic business cycle is impacted, a recession initially develops. This can happen either as a result of a decline in the employment rate, income level, production level, or expenditure level. The primary participants in an economy are the buyer and the seller, or, more formally, households and businesses.

To put this into perspective, imagine that you have a neighbourhood bakery where you may buy bread. The price of the bread is a fixed amount that you pay to the baker, who then uses that money to cover labour costs, income, and other production expenses. Due to the success of the bakery, the owner intends to enhance his assets by investing in more labour, more land, etc. to boost production. The Bakery chooses to raise the price of its goods to cover the costs of manufacturing in order to pay for all of this, however, one day when you go to the bakery you realise the price of the bread has doubled from what it was.


In turn, the customer decides it would be wiser to put this money in a bank and earn a decent interest rate rather than waiting to buy that bread because this makes them feel a little unsure about how to spend their money. The supply-demand chain is eventually disrupted when all of the customers start to worry about this spending. Less consumer spending makes it difficult for companies to cover their costs of production; as a result, they are obliged to let go of part of their employees, which lowers production costs. Since they won’t have any money to spend in the economy after being laid off, the layoff workers’ economic spending eventually leads to this causes a disruption in the business cycle and everyone is affected.

Because of lesser spending, there is lesser production, and because of lesser production, more workers are laid off, because of the employment rate decreasing the consumers get more worried and save more money and this cycle continues and continues until it officially becomes a recession. 

But how does this affect the current world condition as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic? The first truly post-pandemic year was 2022 when trade began to resume and public access to air travel was restored. The economic impact that the pandemic had cannot be ignored, despite plans by businesses to get back on track. Numerous fast food and retail establishments had to close as a result of the epidemic, which resulted in millions of jobs being lost and customers spending less and less on goods and services.


Businesses trying to recover from the epidemic fell victim to the vicious cycle as well; they were compelled to terminate numerous employees due to the expected losses they incurred during the outbreak. As a result, many people were forced to remain jobless, which reduced their purchasing power. As the Russia-Ukraine situation grew in intensity, the pressure on oil prices caused consumers to be even more frugal with their spending. Therefore, a recession is something that cannot be avoided given the existing situation.

However, what is the government’s role in all of this? In the United States, it was reported last year that money supply growth had turned negative for the first time in 28 years. While it is not an indicator of an impending recession, it does show how there has been a general decline in economic activity over the last year, and if it continues in such a steady state equilibrium, it will cause more economic damage than anything else. It is past time for the federal government to implement sound economic policies that benefit the market and businesses. If this is not done, the impending doom of the recession will not be averted.

Awaiting the climatic catastrophe!

Posted on by Shreyas

The temperature of the Earth has been rising day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, and second by second. Since the industrialization boom, the earth has entered a state of modernization in which nature and greenery consume only a fraction of the earth and the rest is taken up by concrete jungles and oceans of plastic. The earth’s temperature has risen by more than 0.9 degrees Celsius since 1906. This has resulted in severe natural consequences such as melting polar ice caps, unpredictable climate environments, and drought in various regions.

The aforementioned actions are a result of climate change. Climate change is an issue that requires immediate attention and resolution. The term “climate change” was coined for the first time in 1950, when there was a rapid increase in temperature in the tropical ocean, but a few pieces of evidence and traces show that this phenomenon has been occurring since the 1830s. It demonstrates how dangerous this is because it has stood the test of time and has had a long-term impact on the environment without people noticing for nearly 120 years.

Temperature increases in the Arctic region are thought to have begun around the same time, but what was causing such an increase in temperatures? The industrial revolution is thought to have begun in 1780, but it did not become fully developed in societies until 1830. This was the period when the number of factories, transportation systems, and other new technologies that required the manipulation of natural resources increased.

The society at the time had not feared or considered climate issues, which resulted in mass exploitation of fossil fuels, deforestation, river blocking to prevent flooding, and so on. Reasons like this caused an imbalance in the earth’s environment, and we have been dealing with such issues ever since.

We are now facing the negative consequences of climate change because no action was taken to stop or reduce it. The earth’s temperature continues to rise by 0.16 degrees Fahrenheit per decade; this may appear to be a small amount, but it will cause severe constraints and problems in the long run. Unpredictable weather forecasts have been prevalent over the years, resulting in crop failure and farm land destruction. As a result, the country is forced to live in famine. The Godavari River in India has reported that its water levels have receded and that it will soon dry up. This river was a source of water for many people, and now that it is drying up, millions of Indians will be thirsty and will have to walk miles to get water from remote locations.

Increasing sea levels are a threat to the environment; in the last three years, China has experienced an increase in the number of floods, forcing people to flee the area. China, a major economic power, is now experiencing the negative effects of climate change in its country, causing millions to be displaced and hoping to find new shelter. Wildfires in California continue to occur on a daily basis, resulting in the loss of a large amount of natural land that could be used for cultivation or simply to maintain the balance of oxygen in the environment.

Many island countries are expected to sink as sea levels rise as a result of this issue. This is an urgent issue that must be resolved as soon as possible, or else the world will come to a halt and will be irreversible. Simple steps can be taken to address this growing problem. Recycling is essential and should be practiced by everyone; recycling even one plastic bottle per day can make a significant difference in the environment. Planting a tree is a great place to start; many social media influencers and non-governmental organizations have launched campaigns in which a tree is planted for every dollar donated.

People have been trying for the past year to persuade governmental bodies to implement agendas that will result in a pollution-free environment. Finland has announced that they will be completely dependent on green energy in a few years, and the European Union has decided to reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy. We can hope that if these statements hold true, we will not be living in a post-apocalyptic world like Fahrenheit 451 in a few years.

By Shreyas Ghosh | DPS International Edge, Gurgaon, India

Covid-19; the socio-political and economic impact

Posted on by Shreyas

Late February or the early March of 2019 when all of a sudden, the world came to a standstill. In 21st century, who would have thought that one day the entire world will get inside the home all outdoor activities will stop suddenly all offices and work places will shut shop all markets will suddenly close and the world will come to a standstill. We must have seen such situations in movies but no one might have ever imagined that we had to go through this one day. 

There was clearly no industry that was unaffected by the influence of Covid 19. Observing the pandemic’s impact through the eyes of an Indian citizen, I’ve witnessed far more awful stories than positive ones. Migrant labourers were left jobless as a result of the unexpected shutdown. Migrant workers took to the streets to trek up to their villages, despite the fact that their villages could be hundreds of miles distant. Many elderly folks collapsed on the streets during their forced walkathon. Children cried out in hunger, parents were helpless, and officials pushed them to return home. I mean, there was mayhem everywhere. Recalling such images is really distressing. My heart aches for all the poor migrants, as well as to those who bravely walked hundreds of miles in scorching heat to reach their villages.

Consumers are one of the very few groups of people who have been affected by this. Consumers have had a mixed impact during the pandemic, as people in fear have either purchased too many products or have been unable to afford any. The pandemic has been tough on businesses, as many that existed prior to the pandemic are unable to thrive in as consumers are becoming more conscious of their spending and income and are attempting to reduce their purchases to the minimum.

Small brick-and-mortar stores and local suppliers have been forced to close their doors owing to government regulations, and are now losing money as consumers increasingly rely on e-commerce platforms. Even the trade line has shrunk as a result of supply chain issues, which have resulted in stores receiving less stock on resources and items. Large factories have had to close in order to cut costs by decreasing employment, leaving millions of people without food and shelter and battling to survive in such times.

No one could look away from the images because they were so distressing. The Indian government was suddenly confronted with a slew of problems. As a developing country, we lack the health-care infrastructure that developed countries have. On the one hand, the epidemic had to be stopped from spreading, and on the other, the health system had to be upgraded. We were all unprepared and lacked access to basic essentials such as PPE kits and hand sanitizers. The Indian government acted quickly and implemented a host of measures to deal with the unexpected circumstance. Multiple aid packages were issued for the needy, and significant businesses were enlisted to begin creating oxygen cylinders to help the overburdened hospitals.

Though the pharmaceutical industry has sprung into action all across the world, what stands out is that several Indian pharmaceutical companies have entered right into the race to create the Covid 19 vaccine. The textile sector has managed to build up production of N-95 masks and PPE kits — the first line of defence against Covid-19 — to the point where it is prepared to meet the demand for the second wave, despite an acute scarcity of protective equipment the year before. India had two of the indigenously made vaccines ready by the end of 2020, and Indians began receiving vaccinations in early 2021. As a developing country, it was our resilience that enabled us to meet this enormous task.

With a population of 1.4 billion people, India ranks third in the world in terms of purchasing power parity, making it one of the world’s major importers of products and services. Engineering items, petroleum products, jewels and jewellery, agriculture products, and textiles are among India’s most important exports. Because the country was still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, global trade was severely hampered. This pandemic also impacted countries that rely on India for a large portion of their commodities and services.

Though there is no positive outcome from this pandemic, if I had to pick one, it would be the governments throughout the world who joined together to support one another. This isn’t something we see very often. Aid from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, coming to the countries like India, Bangladesh, and Africa was something that could not be overlooked. 

Overall, the pandemic has taught us that nature knows no boundaries, thus it is more necessary than ever for the entire globe to appreciate nature, manage pollution, and be humble enough to be a part of this magnificent world.

By Shreyas Ghosh | DPS International Edge, Gurgaon, India