Right now, one more adversity that we are facing is the trade and tariff issue. Many things are being done in an attempt to globally isolate India. But the nation is on an upsurge. We have risen beyond that point where we can be bullied into doing things which are against the national well-being. – Sadhguru
When the British left after 200 years of occupation, they not only took our wealth but also dismantled our education, industry and many other systems that were crucial to build the nation back. The last few decades since Independence have been a struggle, but today, Bharat is taking its place in the comity of nations once again.
In 1947, our economy was just two per cent of the world’s economy, our literacy was seven per cent, the industry had been systematically broken, markets destroyed, and the average life expectancy was 28 years.
Our trade routes to Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia, which were very active for over 6,000-7,000 years, were cut off by Partition and we became an island. All our trade had to happen through the ocean. But because trade was crippled, we became a major information technology power.
Today, we are the fourth largest economy, our life expectancy is at 73 years and in technology, space and many other areas, we have grown phenomenally in spite of various kinds of sabotage that has happened. So, we have used every adversity to see how to benefit and grow.
At this time, there are many challenges we face as a nation including global economic fluctuations, and domestic issues around faith, caste and regional identity. But challenges should never be seen as setbacks; they are fodder for growth. When challenges are thrown at us, it is the time to rise.
Right now, one more adversity that we are facing is the trade and tariff issue. Many things are being done in an attempt to globally isolate India. But the nation is on an upsurge. We have risen beyond that point where we can be bullied into doing things which are against the national well-being. We are 1.4 billion people with over 60 per cent below 35 years of age and there is a palpable sense of vibrancy and confidence in the country.
This trade issue is going to be a little more than painful, but it is not the end all for India. We have various opportunities. Above all, these realities may change because negotiations are going on about settling the Ukraine-Russia issue. If that is settled, then this trade issue will also be settled. But we should not fall back into the complacency of trying to be friends with one power or the other. We must build multilateral relationships. We are already doing that, but we need to do it more aggressively. Not depending on any one nation for our well-being is very important.
I was asked in a recent interview, “Is this an opportunity for India to become a linchpin?” If we want to become a linchpin, people should see that the linchpin is strong enough for them to hang on to. Economically, we are not that kind of a strength right now where we can call ourselves a linchpin, not just globally but even for the region. It is beginning to happen, but we are not yet there. In the next three to five years, we have to grow that strength.
Currently, we probably have just three or four states doing well. We need at least ten to fifteen states doing really well. If 15 states are booming economically, then the nation will really move forward.
For the world, we have an advantage that geographically, we are in a strategically sensitive and important location. We must leverage that in the best possible way. I am sure that that wisdom is very much there in the government.
Right now, the nation is poised on the threshold of a possibility. The whole world recognises that, but there is a distance between possibility and reality. It is time for every individual, whatever sphere of life they are in, whatever responsibility one holds or influence one has, to stand up and make it happen. Just the governments or some leader cannot do it. Every citizen has to do it! Let us make it happen. – News18, 31 August 2025
› Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is a yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. He is also the founder of the world’s largest people’s movement, Conscious Planet– Save Soil, which has touched over 4 billion people.
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