Goodbye 23 Welcome 24

Time has its own ways of slipping away leaving behind a trail of memories, some sweet, some not so much perhaps. 2022 was the year when the world began to come to terms with COVID 19, in that context 2023 certainly has been a year of consolidation, hope and perspective. It’s time to therefore to reminisce a bit of what transition has taken place in the preceding year, and what all is anticipated in the year to unfold.

Leading the way

Social Awakening

2023 has been a superb year for India and the countrymen. India leading the G20 with aplomb and grace to set the agenda for the World, for times to come was certainly a historic event and a great moment of celebration for the country. This was closely followed by something extraordinary in the Parliament too. As part of considered attempt to empower women the constitution was amended to reserve at least one third of the seats in Parliament and Vidhan-Sabhas and down the line for them. And then came another big one, the amendment to the Criminal Laws, wherein the century and more old Colonial Laws, laid down by British, were consigned to the memory lanes.?

It is absolutely fantastic to witness the Nation being given direction to enable it to rediscover its roots. The winds of change are palpable as Civilizational change is underway. The undercurrent of the SANATAN ethos which had been suppressed over the years, has awakened from oblivion to resplendence and glory in a significant way. The emerging magnificence of the restored Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the grace and aplomb of the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple, the rejuvenation of the Char Dhams has opened the floodgates of emotional and religious catharsis that had remained subdued and dormant over the years. The emergence of the country to seek pride in its culture, civilization and the rich past is beginning to have an enduring impact on the psyche of the common Indian. This is the uprising which perhaps, will unfold itself to enrich the country and perhaps the world, to reignite the essence and conviction associated with Vasudev Kutumbakam as core philosophy of the way of living which believes in the universality of being, a composite one! ??The Hon’ble Prime Minister has set the Agenda for the Nation and has very skillfully and dexterously brought together the Nation at large, to develop a sense of pride in being an Indian enmeshed in a culturally rich ethos!? ???

The other major transition that has gained momentum in 2023 is to propagate social welfare schemes with determination, resolve and vision. Providing Food, Shelter, Electricity, Water and Energy to the last mile has been a very distinct feature of this Government. ?It has not only extended a helping hand to the poor but has brought about a social transformation, in which over 140 million people were pulled out of the morass of poverty. The most significant part is the fact that over 800 million people are being fed with free ration since 2019, a truly phenomenal humanitarian cause. This is a huge social cause which has not only fed the poor but saved many lives, the fear of which was very plausible in the wake of COVID and the devastating impact that a country with burgeoning population could be subject to.

The Industrial Canvas

On the Atmanirbhar Bharat front huge headway has been made. The transportation segment has been transformed. On the road Infrastructure front work has been carried out at phenomenal pace with several records being established of fast tracking implementation. The way it is going by 2027 itself, India could well be in a position to compare favorably with the West in terms of High quality Road Infrastructure. Complete Electrification of Railways is another important feature in the direction of improving sustainable connectivity. Close on the heels of the same, has come a huge fillip from the proliferation of Vande Bharat Trains, which are connecting the Nation and taking the infrastructure to World standards. Magnificent work has been done in the railways to make comfort accessible to the common man. In the air connectivity benchmark progress has taken place with a flurry, wherein Airports have been spread out across the Nation. The Government seems committed to ensure that the air travel would not remain a luxury for the rich and the powerful, it shall extend its access and approach to common people as well. Surely, all these measures to facilitate improvement in connectivity is substantive development in the interest of common man. In addition, strong connectivity shall improve the overall costs of transportation, thereby making the exports more competitive.? ??

The launch of the PLI scheme is a major step forward to provide a boost to manufacturing. 2023 witnessed India emerging as second largest exporter of mobile phones. This has not only promoted industry, but created some labor and semiskilled jobs in the country. A great step forward. Another giant leap has been made in the defense segment where high quality missiles and other defense ammunition manufacturing has been enhanced substantially. This is slowly putting India in a pole position to emerge as an exporter of defense equipment. While Defense equipment self-sufficiency may take a while, but the segment is bending the curve beautifully.

Energy Segment

The energy segment is pulsating with enthusiasm. The self-sufficiency in power being a plus, almost all the villages in India are electrified. ?For additional power requirement, Solar, Wind and a bit of Nuclear is being focused upon with emphasis. This will continue to strengthen the Industrial activity in the country. The country continues to be deficient in indigenous fossil fuels and the import dependence both on Oil and Gas continues to be prominent. However, in the Crude Refining Segment the country is strong, and is perhaps the third or fourth largest in terms of installed capacity. This recently came very handy in 2023, as when the crude prices soared to unrealistic levels, India took advantage of discounted crude from Russia and not only served its people with relatively low priced products, but also make huge money through export of products.? Indian Refineries stood the test of time and refined the Russian crudes successfully. It is good to note that a few Refinery projects are on the verge of completion and perhaps, additional refining capacity could add up to the existing capacity, to have it inch through closer to 300 MMTPA throughput.

Gas import is steady and apparently no sign of it being rationalized in the near future is visible. The Coal gasification projects which have been announced could possibly begin to make more and more sense as Coal is gasified to produce synthetic gas, ethanol, urea and Petrochemicals. This is work in progress and perhaps 2024 will witness momentum in these projects.? In the meantime, Green Hydrogen has emerged as a major source of energy which could sustainably transform the Indian energy, Fertilizer and Refining Industries. It is of course known, that the Green Hydrogen Projects will take a while to pick up till the cost of Green Hydrogen reduces substantially. However, the Policy framework for the same to be take forward as a Mission has been prepared in 2023. Hopefully, the legwork done in 2023 will blossom into projects in 2024-25 when the Indigenization of the Electrolyzers and the other facilities involved in the Green Hydrogen plants pan out. Waste to energy projects is another area, which has gained fillip in 2023. This hopefully will continue to gain strength and conviction in the years ahead as technology breakthrough’s take place.

Digitization and Greening the Economy

Government’s focus on digitalization and AI is another area where massive work is being carried out. DBT and PM Kisan Samman-Nidhi are two such projects which have completely changed the way transparency has been enforced and further consolidated in the system has been ensured. Digitization rooted out middle men and ensured that the poor got their due directly, this has changed the way the country thinks and operates, leading to huge benefit for the country and countrymen. 2023 was a year in which the digital transactions turned out to be the highest in the world. This led the economy to be cleaner and more robust. The parallel economy has been considerably curtailed, and therefore, the GDP that is now racing up to new heights is a lot more-greener. Those who criticized the Hon’ble PM’s demonetization initiative are beginning to feel the impact of positivity all around.

To further root out corruption, the Government has powerfully led the campaign of breaking the Babu - Politician nexus. It is simply courageous of the Government to let ED and CBI operated with freedom and without restraint. The result was that mountains of cash were recovered from residences of politicians and businessmen. Perhaps a record recovery has been made by ED in 2023. This is a positive signal and those who indulged in nefarious activities and swindled the tax payer’s money will be brought to book. The corrupt are now ganging together to oppose the measures which GOI is taking. It’s a wonderful sight to witness the cleaning up of the public mess and bringing to book the dishonest who had been indulging in nefarious activities over the years. 2023 perhaps would be going in the books as a historic year, in which, efforts to root out corruption and public loot gained momentum and genuine heights.? ?

Industry

On the Industrial front Government has chosen to be more fundamental in its approach. The emphasis is to curb the export of raw materials and instead switch over to export of finished products is a good agenda. This approach directly impacts the metal and mining industry wherein Steel and Aluminum figure is high on the agenda, to enable enhancement of capacity. While not many projects have been announced in this segment, the work on the drawing board has been strong. Coal on the contrary has done well with the coal production increasing asymptotically. Hopefully, the announced coal gasification to chemicals and fertilizer plants will move into the implementation phase, in the forthcoming year to set a clear road map for the Energy security front too. ?

The Petrochemical Industry has gained momentum, as the significance of building capacity in the country to emerge as a petrochemical hub is underway. With GGSRL operational, a boost has been given to the Polymer capacity in the country. On similar lines Bina has been announced. The capacity expansion of Naphtha Cracker at Panipat is another Petrochemical initiative underway. A lot of excitement has als been created by the announcement of Petrochemical capacity by the Chatterjee group in down South in Nagarjuna ?and East in Haldia. Initiatives adding to Ports and Harbor capacity, Logistics, Automobile Manufacturing and encouragement to small and medium scale Industries has been strong. In similar vein, the Startups and the Bank Loan schemes to support entrepreneurship for women has been a game changer. Some of these initiatives address the central question of creating opportunities for gainful employment. Self-employment has simply magnified during the year, which augurs well for the Nation at large.

All in all, a terrific year for the country, where the GDP remained strong and world rating agencies remained gung-ho, as India emerged as Bharat to contribute to the global economic activity.

Geo- Political Tensions

On the political front, the world remained engaged and involved in the Russia- Ukrainian conflict and very recently the Israel – Hamas war. Geopolitical tensions have remained strong, and major Political realignment has taken place. India amongst this hullabaloo of a world in struggle, has emerged as a ray of hope. It has attained a coveted place for itself, it cannot be ignored anymore as its opinion in the global forums are taken with seriousness attention. It is the power of Indian Democracy and Leadership that the neighboring arch rival too, has been tamed, and with the consignment of Article 370 to archives, the tensions and activism in the region has been reduced substantially.

Wish list for 24

With so much happening in the country the signal for change is strong and therefore, the expectation with what the New Year has in its store is strong. Some of it is already visible, but expecting more is a natural tendency!

1.???? To start with, Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will simply shift the momentum of Civilizational change. The country is bound to change substantially in its efforts to restore its pristine glory. Gyan-vapi and Mathura will follow in quick succession, as now the momentum and fervor is strong.

2.???? The festival of Democracy will take place and unfold the true strength of conviction and belief. The Nation has arrived, will be proved as the people of this Nation join in this massive celebration. As per the current trends, the Hon’ble PM will once again take charge of the Nation and add to the all-round growth momentum in the next five year term. This time it seems he will return stronger and additional strength.

3.???? ?Judicial reforms seem a near necessity and it is surely high on the agenda of the Government, the delineation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary has to become clearer, responsive and perhaps with a more Bharatiya touch. Time bound disposition of litigation is likely to be thrust of reforms.

4.???? Population bill is a must and will happen. It is important that the demographic balance is maintained. This will closely be followed with Uniform Civil Code to enable a single law across the country.

5.???? Economic boom should sustain with Microchips and Superconductivity Industry gaining fillip, a lot should happen in the emerging field of AI and Space.

6.???? Co-operative Industry will and should gain recognition to boost agriculture, small scale Industry and animal husbandry.

7.???? ?The boost to self-reliance in Defense should be high on the agenda and so should the export of Agri and pharma products. A boost to cold storage chains will enhance agricultural revenues and employment.

8.???? Education and health budget must increase to enable the country to be united and fill in the gap between rich and poor. The gender bias must collapse with empowerment of women and an equal opportunity platform for all.

9.???? Roads, railways and Air connectivity should continue to get attention to provide fillip to Tourism and Culture.

10.Coal Gasification, Petrochemicals and the elusive West Coast Refinery project must happen, though split logically into three parts across the West, East and Central India. This will improve the Industrial atmospherics of the country.

11.? Large Industrial Parks should happen in East India with a larger participation of North Eastern States. ?

12.An Educational chain of Schools and Colleges with additional IITS and IIMs is a natural fallout to meet the aspirations of the vibrant young to yield a more purposeful and ambitious society.

13.Development Infrastructure is bound to provide fillip to economy. More reforms in the Banking and Corporate Sector are bound to happen. Indian work ethos will witness a transition. More cities and Cosmopolitan cities will emerge as Rich / Poor divide is bridged with more last mile connectivity. A large populace of the country will emerge from poverty as more opportunities to showcase local talent emerges.

14.Energy Transition will take place with balance. Fossil fuels and large Projects will continue to abound. Renewables will gain strength and space as Green Hydrogen begins to usher in energy Transition.

15.India is bound to emerge as an Aviation Industry hub. We foresee that in the next Ten India will have its own passenger Aircraft manufacturing facilities. This will be a revolutionary change, as India begins to take center stage as a major manufacturing hub.

16.Production linked incentives must continue to add more industrial segments in the portfolio, in addition to electronics and IT equipment. This will enhance employment opportunities.

17.India must emerge as the Top five Majors in the Automobile Industry. It is bound to enhance its exports significantly.

18. Bharat must focus on Africa, as a region to Export Infrastructure and Large Industrial Projects. This will enhance its own Manufacturing and Construction base. Strong Employment opportunities will be created for the Indian young both at home and abroad.?

19.Bharat must induce a Chain of Water Desalination across the Peninsula and Municipal Waste Recycling Projects Pan India. The Water mission Industry must be given added fillip to conserve water and rejuvenate our rivers. This is a path way to become a developed Nation. Work must continue to interlinking of rivers as a National Project. This will also be a way to counter the flood fury and devastation thereof.?

20. Equal opportunity for all being the Central Agenda of the government must be sustained. This is the only way to grow, evolve and elevate our society to higher levels.

21.2024 should be the threshold year, to set India atop towards emerging as a developed country by 2047 as targeted by the Hon’ble PM. With conscious effort and planning this is bound to happen.

Personal front

2023 was an important year wherein we decided to take up the challenge of relocating ourselves to Nigeria in an effort to support the Dangote Group complete /commission the Largest Single Train Refinery in the world. A new country and amidst wonderful people, we find our-self savoring the joy of work. The job provides the necessary challenge and the people provide consistent and conscious support. It’s a magnificent experience.

Though making friends has never been a Central and Core agenda of our approach to life, yet we ourselves feel the change in us. We have been more indulgent than ever. A lot of friends in the LinkedIn fraternity have joined us, and we too have willfully accepted their companionship and affection. We realize that it makes life a lot more vibrant and creative, besides being able to share perspectives. This has been a wonderful streak in 2023.

2024 will begin for us with release of one of our new book. This has been overdue for some time. While the book was ready for some time, we have come to realize that book publishing is a very tormenting affair. It is sad that while some of us stretch ourselves with sustained work and undivided attention, publishing a book remains a challenge. Very commercial and merciless, it’s tough. It is happening anytime in now though, as the hurdles have been overcome. The other major book, on which we have been seriously working for the preceding couple of years is a magnum opus of sorts, running into four volumes, it has achieved a fair degree of maturity with the manuscript review having been completed. When we started we thought we were responding to the request of writing an Autobiography on the demand of our well-wishers who were insistent, but somehow, it evolved more as a journey of our life, personal and technical, covering the span of our life till he time we moved to 2022. If all goes well, we should share it with the readers this year itself. Publishing challenges have to be overcome! ??

Life and Nature however, has its own way of establishing equilibrium. Even in matters of affection and connect with people the balance somehow gets established. 2023 has also been a year of a lot of learning. We perhaps, could not rise to the expectation of a few, while some close connects drifted leaving behind a lot of pain. Few new connections though, became stronger and more tangible. Perhaps that is a way of life towards setting a balance.

We hope 2024 to be a creative year. The mission with which we are in Nigeria, with the grace of God, should achieve maturity and get fulfilled. Our mission to disseminate Selfless Love and Knowledge hopefully will remain as strong or get even stronger. We hope that the Almighty will be merciful to help us sustain the joy of work and the pleasure of being.

We take this opportunity to wish all a very productive, meaningful and purposeful year. May the wishes and dreams of all be realized, to help the joy of creativity and liberation of yourself be the essence of your being in 2024. With best wishes to all!

God bless!

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