Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra (Retd)
sanjeev662006@gmail.com
India is officially one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. The headlines are impressive. Roads are being built. Airports are expanding. Digital payments have changed daily life. Infrastructure has visibly improved. Yet, beneath this growth story, there is a quiet unease. The rupee remains under pressure. Foreign investors have pulled out large sums from Indian equities. Too many educated young people are still searching for secure and dignified work. The stock market feels expensive and uncertain. And the common man keeps asking a simple question that no headline can answer: if the economy is doing so well, why does my life still feel so precarious?
This is not a contradiction. It is a signal. And it is the most important signal we have.
The numbers are not lying. But they are not telling the whole truth either. Economics teaches us a simple lesson that politics often resists: everything has a cost, because everything can be used somewhere else. A rupee spent on one scheme cannot be spent on another. Land used for one factory cannot be used for a hospital. And a young person’s five years spent chasing one competitive exam cannot be recovered. The moment a country forgets this arithmetic, treating resources as if they were infinite, it begins spending its future while calling it its present.
Take welfare, for example. Protecting the vulnerable is not just good politics. It is sound statecraft. Kautilya understood this clearly: the stability of the state rests on the wellbeing of its people. Food support, direct benefit transfers, and health coverage are not generosity. They are the floor below which no civilised state allows its citizens to fall. But floors are meant to stand on, not to live on permanently. When welfare stops being a bridge and becomes a destination, it quietly transforms from compassion into dependency. And once that happens, the political incentive to move people out evaporates, because the queue itself becomes a voter base.
Infrastructure makes the same promise with different packaging. A new highway from Jammu to Katra is genuinely useful. But the road itself does not create prosperity. It creates the possibility of prosperity. What actually creates prosperity is what happens along the road: the hotels that open, the local produce that finds new markets, the cold storage that stops farmers from watching their crop rot. Infrastructure is the skeleton. Without the muscle of human capability and local enterprise, it remains a very elegant skeleton doing very little.
This distinction between growth and livelihood is one India must hold in plain sight. Gross domestic product can grow on the back of large infrastructure spending, financial services, and high end consumption. But a young graduate in Udhampur does not live inside GDP. He lives inside opportunity. His question is simple. Where is the job? Government vacancies are few. Corporate hiring is selective. So he waits, moving from one coaching centre to another, and the years that should have been his most productive quietly become his most suspended. Every year a capable young person spends in this limbo is a year their energy produces nothing for the economy. Multiply that by millions, and you begin to understand why India’s demographic dividend has not yet converted cleanly into economic advantage.
Then there is the rupee. When it weakens, it tells you things that no press release will ever say. Currency pressure is not the problem. It is the symptom. A falling rupee reflects a persistent trade imbalance and a manufacturing base that is not yet deep enough to offset what we buy from the rest of the world. India imports too much of what it should be producing: electronics, energy, components, critical technologies. Each import creates a permanent structural demand for dollars. Atmanirbhar Bharat is the right instinct. But an instinct needs to become an industrial programme with specific targets, honest accountability, and the patience to wait for results that take years, not quarters. Patriotism is an excellent starting point. It is a poor substitute for policy.
The money flowing in and out of Indian markets adds another layer. Foreign Direct Investment is patient money. It builds factories, brings technology, creates jobs, and believes in the long story. Foreign Portfolio Investment is different. It enters when returns look attractive and exits the moment risk rises. When large sums leave Indian equities, it does not mean India has failed. It means sophisticated investors are asking hard questions about whether India’s growth story is backed by real productivity or by optimism with a good marketing team. The stock market, meanwhile, is not the economy. A rising index can reflect genuine confidence, or it can reflect excess liquidity looking for a home. True economic strength announces itself differently: in rising wages, expanding small businesses, growing exports, and households secure enough to plan five years ahead.
Beneath all of this runs something that resists quantification but holds everything together. Trust. Businesses invest when they trust that rules will not change arbitrarily. Young people take risks when they trust that opportunity is real. Households spend when they trust that their future income will hold. Trust is built slowly through consistent policy, fair taxation, reliable data, and the quiet daily evidence that the system is not working against ordinary people. When trust weakens, money becomes cautious. And cautious money does not build nations.
The Indian economy is not in crisis. But it is sending signals, and signals are worth reading before they become emergencies. Headline growth must translate into household confidence. Infrastructure must become employment. Welfare must build capability rather than sustain dependency. The rupee’s stability must come from what India exports, not only from what the Reserve Bank defends. Atmanirbharta must move from a slogan on hoardings to actual supply chains running through actual factories.
Jammu is a good place to think about all of this, because Jammu has never had the luxury of abstractions. This region understands scarcity, resilience, and what it means to build something meaningful under difficult conditions. It also understands that security is not only military. It is economic. Jobs for youth. Industry for towns. Income for farmers. Skills for students who deserve a future they do not have to leave home to find.
The real test of India’s economy will not come when we overtake Germany in aggregate size. It will come when a young person in Kathua or Rajouri or Poonch feels, without needing to be told by a Government advertisement, that the future is not somewhere far away, but here, within reach. India does not merely need to grow fast. It needs to grow deep. Growth must flow from the stock exchange to the shop floor, from the expressway to the village lane, from the budget speech to the household kitchen. That is the economy worth building. That is the economy worth defending.

Dr Vikas Sharma
drvikassharma20202020@gmail.com
When the evening of life becomes a time of loneliness
Every evening, in countless homes across India, an elderly mother sits quietly near a window, waiting for a phone call that may or may not come. A retired father folds the same newspaper repeatedly, not because the news has changed, but because the silence around him has not. A widow looks at old photographs before going to bed, revisiting memories because they feel more alive than the present. These scenes rarely attract attention. They are not reported in headlines, discussed in public forums, or acknowledged as a major social concern. Yet they represent one of the most significant and overlooked challenges facing our society today-the emotional suffering of senior citizens.
When people think about old age, they often imagine physical ailments such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, or declining eyesight. Hospitals, healthcare systems, and families devote considerable attention to these conditions, and rightly so. However, what often remains unnoticed is the emotional burden carried by many older adults. While medicines are prescribed for physical illnesses, loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, and emotional isolation frequently remain untreated. The result is a silent crisis affecting millions of elderly individuals across the country.
Growing older involves much more than biological changes. It is also a period marked by profound social and psychological transitions. Friends pass away, children leave home, retirement alters daily routines, and physical limitations gradually reduce independence. Life becomes quieter, and for many, that quietness slowly transforms into loneliness. The very people who once spent their days caring for others often find themselves with fewer people to talk to and fewer reasons to feel needed.
One of the most difficult realities of old age is the gradual shrinking of one’s social world. During younger years, people are surrounded by family responsibilities, professional commitments, social interactions, and community involvement. Their days are structured, meaningful, and busy. As years pass, these sources of engagement begin to diminish. Retirement removes professional identity, children become occupied with their own lives, and social circles become smaller. What remains is often an overwhelming amount of unstructured time and a growing sense of emotional emptiness.
Many parents dedicate their entire lives to raising children. They sacrifice personal comforts, work long hours, and invest enormous emotional energy into ensuring their children have better opportunities. Watching children succeed brings immense pride. Yet success often takes children far away from home. Across India, countless elderly parents live alone while their sons and daughters pursue careers in metropolitan cities or foreign countries. They celebrate their children’s achievements, but behind that pride often lies an unspoken loneliness.
Technology has made communication easier than ever before. Video calls, instant messaging, and social media allow families to remain connected despite geographical distances. However, technology cannot fully replace human presence. An elderly parent may receive messages every day and still feel profoundly lonely. A video call lasting a few minutes cannot replicate the comfort of sharing a meal, sitting together in the same room, or simply hearing familiar footsteps around the house. Emotional connection requires more than digital interaction; it requires time, attention, and genuine presence.
The emotional impact of retirement is another factor that is frequently underestimated. For many individuals, work provides much more than financial stability. It offers purpose, routine, social interaction, and a sense of accomplishment. A teacher influences students, a doctor treats patients, a Government employee serves the public, and a businessman engages with customers and colleagues. Retirement abruptly alters these roles. The phone stops ringing as often. Daily responsibilities disappear. Individuals who were once highly active and respected may suddenly struggle with feelings of irrelevance.
Widowhood presents another significant emotional challenge. Losing a life partner after decades of shared experiences is one of the most profound losses a person can endure. The grief extends beyond the absence of companionship. It affects daily routines, emotional support, and a sense of identity. Every room contains memories. Every festival highlights the absence of a familiar face. Every achievement and difficulty must now be faced alone. While grief is a natural response to loss, prolonged emotional isolation can have serious consequences for mental wellbeing.
What makes emotional suffering among senior citizens particularly concerning is that it often disguises itself as physical illness. Many older adults do not openly express sadness or loneliness. Instead, they complain of fatigue, body aches, sleep disturbances, headaches, digestive problems, poor appetite, or memory difficulties. Families and healthcare providers naturally focus on physical explanations, often overlooking the emotional factors contributing to these symptoms. Consequently, many elderly individuals continue to suffer silently for years without receiving appropriate support.
The fear of becoming a burden further complicates the situation. Many older adults are reluctant to discuss their emotional struggles because they do not want to worry their children or family members. They convince themselves that everyone else is busy and that their own needs are less important. They continue saying, “I am fine,” even when they are not. This tendency to suppress emotions is particularly common among generations that valued resilience, sacrifice, and self-reliance.
Another troubling aspect of aging is the gradual feeling of invisibility. Many senior citizens report feeling excluded from conversations and decision-making processes. Their opinions may be heard politely but rarely sought actively. Family discussions often revolve around subjects they find difficult to relate to, while their own experiences and stories receive less attention. In a society increasingly focused on speed, productivity, and technological advancement, older adults can feel left behind. The emotional consequences of such experiences are significant. Persistent loneliness and hopelessness can affect sleep, concentration, appetite, and physical health. They can reduce motivation to engage in social activities, maintain personal care, or pursue hobbies. In severe cases, individuals may begin questioning their purpose and value. Unfortunately, because these changes develop gradually, they are often mistaken for a normal part of aging.
Yet emotional suffering in old age should never be regarded as inevitable. Many senior citizens lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. They remain socially active, maintain friendships, participate in community events, engage in spiritual practices, and continue contributing valuable knowledge and experience. The difference often lies in the availability of emotional support and opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Families have an especially important role in promoting emotional wellbeing among older adults. Small acts of kindness can have a tremendous impact. Spending time together, listening patiently, involving elderly family members in decisions, encouraging social interaction, and acknowledging their contributions can help restore a sense of purpose and belonging. Many older adults do not seek expensive gifts or grand gestures. They simply want to feel valued, respected, and remembered.
Healthcare professionals must also pay closer attention to the emotional health of senior citizens. When older adults present with unexplained physical complaints, sleep disturbances, loss of interest, or social withdrawal, emotional factors should be explored carefully. Addressing psychological wellbeing is just as important as managing physical health conditions.
Communities, too, have a role to play. Senior citizen groups, community centers, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities can provide valuable avenues for social engagement. Creating environments where older adults feel connected and appreciated benefits not only individuals but society as a whole.
A nation’s progress should not be measured solely by economic growth or technological advancement. It should also be measured by how it treats those who have spent their lives building families, communities, and institutions. Senior citizens represent a wealth of wisdom, experience, and resilience. They deserve more than occasional visits and festival greetings. They deserve companionship, dignity, respect, and emotional care.
The greatest challenge of old age is not necessarily declining physical health. It is the feeling of becoming forgotten while still alive. If we truly wish to honor our elders, we must look beyond their medical needs and recognize their emotional needs as well. We must ensure that the later years of life are not defined by loneliness and silence but by connection, purpose, and belonging.
Because sometimes the deepest pain of old age is not found in aching joints or failing eyesight. It is found in the quiet moments when an elderly person wonders whether anyone still has the time to listen.

Afreena Rahim
afreenrahim00@gmail.com
Every few months, another daughter is buried. Another mother cries herself to sleep. Another father stands outside police stations and courtrooms carrying the unbearable weight of grief and helplessness. Another family is destroyed forever while the country watches for a few days and then moves on.
First Gool. Then Dharamkund. Now Budgam involving a minor. Before these, Kashmir had already witnessed countless stories that never received national attention. Many cases disappeared quietly into files, forgotten by authorities and ignored by society. And outside Kashmir, India has seen horrors that should have shaken humanity forever – Kathua, where an innocent child was assaulted and murdered; Delhi’s Nirbhaya case, where brutality crossed every limit imaginable; Hyderabad, Unnao, Hathras, Kolkata, and countless unnamed victims whose stories never became headlines because they were poor, powerless, or forgotten too quickly.
How many more names must we remember before this country finally changes?
What hurts the most is not only the crime itself. It is the silence afterward.
For a few days there is outrage. Politicians make speeches. Television channels scream for ratings. Hashtags trend. Candle marches are organized. Promises are made. Committees are formed. New “schemes” for women’s safety are announced. Governments print slogans about protecting daughters. Posters appear everywhere speaking about empowerment and security.
But where is that security on the ground?
Where is accountability?
Where is justice for families who spend years waiting while the accused use money, influence, and political connections to escape punishment?
Most Government schemes today seem designed more for newspaper advertisements than for actual implementation. Funds are announced, campaigns are launched, slogans are repeated – yet women still fear walking home safely. Parents still panic when daughters are late. Families still beg authorities to take complaints seriously. Victims still face humiliation instead of protection.
A country cannot call itself developed when its women live in fear.
Every rape is not just an attack on one woman. It destroys entire families. A mother spends the rest of her life asking herself if she could have protected her child. Fathers break silently under the weight of guilt and helplessness. Sisters stop feeling safe. Young girls begin understanding fear before they even understand freedom.
And society? Society watches.
That is perhaps the most frightening reality of all – our growing emotional numbness.
People have started consuming these tragedies like ordinary news. Another case appears, people react emotionally for a few days, and then everything returns to normal. Reels continue. Politics continues. Entertainment continues. Meanwhile, somewhere a family sits beside a grave wondering how the world moved on so quickly.
How do those responsible for justice sleep peacefully after failing another victim?
How do officials give speeches about women’s empowerment while parents continue living in terror?
How do criminals walk freely after destroying lives?
And how has society accepted all this as normal?
The truth is bitter: the crisis today is not only criminality; it is moral collapse. We are becoming a society where outrage is temporary, accountability is rare, and humanity is fading.
Women are constantly told to stay careful – don’t go out late, don’t trust people, don’t travel alone, don’t wear this, don’t do that. But why is the burden always on women to survive instead of on society to stop creating monsters?
No Government slogan can comfort a grieving mother.
No speech can erase the trauma of a survivor.
No compensation can return a lost daughter.
Real justice requires accountability. Real change requires fast and fearless punishment. Real safety requires a society that refuses to stay silent.
Until then, another headline will come. Another family will cry. Another candle march will happen. Another promise will be made.
And once again, the country will move on while another daughter becomes just another statistic.

Brij Bhardwaj
newsagency12@gmail.com
The Indian economy will face challenges in days to come. These challenges have come about because of wars in West Asia and Europe which have led to a sharp rise in the price of crude oil and fertilizers. Another factor which may pose a challenge is the forecast that the country may be heading for the driest monsoon of the decade in the coming months.
Any single factor would be difficult to tackle and when combined these pose a serious challenge to our growth prospects. India, which has been recording the highest rate of growth among major economies of the world for many years, will have a drop in the coming years. In addition, there will be the pressure of inflation on account of the hike in prices of petroleum products. All this combined will make the management of the economy difficult.
The factors in our favour are a large reserve of foreign currency and gold with the Reserve Bank of India, large consumer market, and the ability to find new markets for our goods in different parts of the world. The result is that India has been able to keep the prices of petroleum products at a minimum level.
There is a more serious challenge in meeting the demand of fertilizers whose prices have also risen. At present, the same is being supplied to farmers at a highly subsidised price. A large quantity has to be imported as local production is not enough. The Government has not raised the price of fertilizers for a long time. In case it continues to be sold at the same rate, the subsidy on it will nearly double, putting a heavy burden on the State. A hike in the price of fertilizers could create unrest among farmers and may also lead to a rise in the price of food items. This problem requires planning to reduce the demand for fertilizers by finding alternative crops to grow.
Finding jobs for the growing number of unemployed youth will be another challenge, as new avenues are not opening up because local investment as well as foreign investment is not taking place. For this, the reform process will have to be given a fresh look. It has to be realised that foreign investors are not finding India as an attractive market because of frequent changes in rules and regulations. There is also a need for better coordination between the Centre and States as there are a large number of problems relating to setting up new units related to State Governments and local bodies.
A uniform set of rules and regulations will also help. To bring more foreign investment it is necessary to avoid frequent changes in regulations governing foreign companies coming to set up production units here.
In all, we can say the coming time offers challenges but also opportunities. The extent to which we are able to use them will be a test for us.There is no denying the fact that India has not emerged as a major manufacturing hub except in a few sectors. There has been more stress on importing components and assembling them. This has to change. The fact that we have a large young population which could be employed after proper education and training.
There is a huge gap between the demand for skills required which could be employed and what our system is turning out. We have the advantage of a democratic system and a stable Government, So in the next few years with changes in systems we can turn the present challenges into opportunities. With our skills and resources we not only have to find a place among the large economies of the world but also raise the per capita income and reduce inequalities.