SETU

India is 1.3 billion people strong in 2015. This figure is estimated to grow to 1.7 billion people in 2050, when India will take over the mantle of world's most populous country. At the same time, India is also resoundingly a young country. Our last census (2011) tells us that over 50% of our population is below 25 years of age. By 2020, the median age of an Indian is expected to be 29. In other words, India stands on a goldmine, with potential to reap demographic dividend unlike any other country in past and present.
But a dichotomy emerges in our country. The urban-rural divide encapsulates the multifaceted differences that broadly leaves us with 2 Indias. This division allows for 2 bubbles, often with no connect and contact with each other. However, an important question arises from this sharp. Can we afford this segmentation?
Though a sense of isolation persists, urban and rural lives are intimately intertwined, economically, socially, politically and environmentally. Over 70% Indians live in rural areas with different degrees of barriers hindering their development. Though condominiums and ubiquitous ritzy shopping malls define urban landscape, vast majority in the country is living as per traditions and customs handed over through multiple generations, unaware of solutions that new age technologies enable.
Despite being said nearly 100 years ago, the words of Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, still ring true, "The soul of real India lives in its villages." Latest UN demographic surveys and reports indicate that Gandhiji's truism will stand test of time for another 50 years.
Another maxim of truth is that in India, urban youth will avail the best of educational facilities. They stand a greater chance to become transformational leaders of tomorrow. Majority of our future educators, doctors, civil servants, entrepreneurs, social scientists and other enablers are currently living in cities.
However, there exists a distance, not just geographically. There is also a psychological distance. It feels as if the urban and rural youth are living in silos. This disconnect leaves our urban youth oblivious to the rural realities of our country.