Get Rich Fast or Die Trying India is at a crossroads. It has the ambition to become a global superpower. It dreams of a permanent seat at the UN Security Council a strong voice in global decisions and the ability to shape the world order. But for all that one thing is clear India needs to get rich and fast.
The idea may sound materialistic but in today’s world money means power. You can’t be a global leader if your economy is weak. You can’t have influence without financial strength. Aircraft carriers high tech weapons world class infrastructure and international partnerships all these require one thing wealth.
So what should India do? The answer is simple focus on becoming rich first. And to do that India needs bold reforms.
Why Being Rich Matters More Than Ever
Let’s be honest. Idealism does not win wars or build cities. India has tried being idealistic for too long. From the days of Nehru India followed a socialist model slow, cautious and bureaucratic. While it helped in creating a foundation it also kept the country poor for decades.
Compare that to countries like South Korea, Japan or China. They focused on growth, trade and industry. They liberalized their economies quickly welcomed foreign investment and pushed exports. The result? They became rich and powerful in just a few decades.
India cannot afford to waste more time.
PM Modi’s Role: Be More Like Manmohan Singh
In 1991 India was in a deep financial crisis. Foreign exchange reserves were almost empty. It was then that Dr. Manmohan Singh under PM Narasimha Rao introduced bold economic reforms. He opened up the Indian economy ended the License Raj and allowed private and foreign companies to invest.
That one decision changed India forever. The IT boom rise of Indian millionaires and growing middle class all happened because of those reforms.
Today PM Modi has a similar opportunity. With a strong political mandate and global attention on India as a counter to China he can introduce a new wave of reforms that focus on wealth creation.
What Kind of Reforms Does India Need?
To become rich fast India needs to focus on five key areas:
1. Ease of Doing Business
India still struggles with red tape, complex rules and slow approvals. Startups and businesses face too many regulations. PM Modi must cut the red tape, simplify laws and encourage private enterprise.
2. Labour and Land Reforms
Factories need flexible labour laws to grow. Farmers need better land policies to get fair value. Reforming these areas can unlock huge economic potential.
3. Privatization and Disinvestment
Many public sector companies are inefficient and losing money. It’s time to privatize loss making companies and let the private sector run businesses better. This will also bring in money for the government.
4. Tax Reforms
Even though India introduced GST the system still has loopholes and high compliance costs. A simpler more friendly tax system can boost investment and reduce corruption.
5. Boost to Manufacturing and Exports
China became rich by becoming the world’s factory. India must do the same. With the right policies infrastructure and incentives India can attract global companies looking to diversify away from China.
India’s Demographic Dividend Won’t Last Forever
India has one major advantage its young population. More than 65% of the country is below 35 years old. This is called a demographic dividend. But this won’t last forever. In the next 20–30 years this young workforce will age. If India does not create enough jobs and opportunities now it will miss the bus.
The time to act is now.
Rich First, Ideals Later
Some people argue that India must focus on social justice, environment or becoming a “Vishwaguru” (world teacher). These are noble goals. But remember a poor country can’t teach or help others. First India must get rich only then can it invest in social programs lead global action on climate or support other nations.
Even the West did this. America and Europe became rich first through capitalism and industrialization. Only after becoming wealthy did they focus on welfare, rights and global leadership.
Conclusion: The Choice Is Clear
India stands at a turning point. It can either take the bold road to rapid economic growth or stay stuck in slow safe politics that pleases everyone but helps no one.
PM Modi if he truly wants to make India a global leader must now channel the spirit of Manmohan Singh bold, reformist and pro-growth. The world does not wait for slow movers. In this race it’s get rich fast or die trying.
India has the brains, the people and the resources. What it needs now is the will.