India must become a knowledge republic as it charts its way ahead

Source: The post is based on the article “India must become a knowledge republic as it charts its way ahead” published in the Live Mint on 10th February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 4 – Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance

Relevance: India as a knowledge republic.

News: Recently, a prominent NRI has said that India should work on ways to become a knowledge republic.

What is a knowledge republic?

Knowledge has a crucial role in building India’s republic. It represents India’s collective desire to learn and apply that learning, the ability to learn and create systems of learning, and the know-how Indians have gathered as a civilization.

The knowledge republic must comprise knowledge in economy, society, and even in diplomacy. Becoming a knowledge republic is a worthy choice as a unified objective of nationhood, especially for India.

Why India is still at crossroads in building a knowledge republic?

Right after the Independence, the environment of resource constraints and weak economic growth kept India from becoming a knowledge republic. At that time India has been busy with setting priorities in order.

Eventually, India has come out of those traps and has expressed itself globally as a leading nation.

Why it is time for India to become a knowledge republic?

India’s young demographic profile: India still has undisputed strength that will continue at least in the foreseeable future.

The paradox at the global level: The world at present is facing a) ecological crises in times of improved living standards, b) rising inequality in times of large wealth creation, c) depression and loneliness in times of a growing population, and d) humans losing to machines in times of rapid innovation.

In this paradoxical nature of modern development, India has emerged on the world stage as a responsible power and trustworthy partner. It can lead global efforts in fundamental thinking for problem-solving.

India’s civilizational heritage: Indian civilisation always revered knowledge. For instance, India’s richness of languages, the vastness of scriptures, the lore of ancient universities and the living tradition of rishis are testimony to the nation’s respect for knowledge.

Even now, there is a special place for teachers, gurus and knowledgeable people in the Indian heart. Typical Indian parents see education as a ticket to professional success and save significantly to support their children’s studies.

What should be done to make India as a knowledge republic?

Make the domestic environment competitive: The government has to double the investment in youth talent through education, strengthen avenues for research and innovation, and continue policy reforms that lead to its gainful occupation, including entrepreneurship. This will also showcase India’s talent to global markets.

Inculcate knowledge in governance: Indian society’s reverence for knowledge should be acknowledged and leveraged in policymaking and nation-building.

Worship of knowledge can pave the way for a modern republic. It is time for India to choose that path and move ahead.