Civilizatio

1. Introduction and Recent Developments
2. India’s Foreign Policy
3. Kashmir Issue
4. India’s Economy and its Challenges
5. Culture and Society
6. Future of India

Introduction and Recent Developments

Hasan

Can you introduce yourself briefly?

Manish

 My name is Manish, and I come from New Delhi, India, which is the capital of India. I’m 25 years old, currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Accounting and Management at the University of Siena. I’m also working with a brand called Gucci. After completing my master’s, I plan to return to India and start my own business. I love traveling, I’m a sports enthusiast, and I’ve represented India as a national cricket player. Thank you so much.

Hasan

 You were born in India. How long did you live there? When did you come to Italy?

Manish

I left India when I was 24. I lived in India my entire life until then. I studied and grew up there.

Bora

I’d like to talk about the latest elections in India, specifically the national elections. There was a strong opposition coalition with the Indian National Congress on the front, but the opposition coalition lost the election. Can you share your thoughts on the election results?

Manish

Well, currently the Indian Government is taking strong steps to build a brighter future for India. The Indian National Congress was in power for the last 70 years and did develop many things, but if we consider the mindset of the people and the growth happening now, India is in a better place. However, if these efforts had been made 70 years ago, maybe we could have competed with countries like the US or Russia by now.

I’m not discriminating against weaker countries, but India has always had the potential to do more. Now, we are fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi, who is taking strong steps to build international relations. Currently, all the opposition parties are joining forces to fight against the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party).

Another thing I’d like to mention is that people like me and my friends, who previously supported Congress, gave Modi a chance to see how his government would perform. Fortunately, they’re doing really well. Of course, India is a vast country with 1.35 billion people, and you can’t make every individual happy. Some communities and castes have faced issues for decades, but I believe the government is working to improve things. Right now, I can say India is in safe hands, and that’s why people are supportive of the current government’s efforts.

Hasan

Thank you. I want to ask about something else. Since Modi came to power, there has been an increased focus on promoting Hindu cultural symbols, renaming cities, and building new temples. How do you view this rise in Hindu nationalism and its impact on India’s secular identity?

Manish

India is a secular country, that’s very clear. But if we look at history, some things were changed by the Mughals when they came to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other regions. They weren’t native citizens and renamed many things that were originally part of Hinduism, which is one of the oldest religions.

When Congress came to power, they supported these Mughal changes, renaming streets, parks, and stadiums. Now, the Modi government is looking at history and restoring things to their original state. Hinduism is the majority religion in India, but we still respect all religions and castes.

The current government isn’t doing anything new; they are revisiting and reviving what existed centuries ago.

Unfortunately, for a long time, our education system focused on Mughals and kings while ignoring India’s freedom fighters who fought against the British. That’s the saddest part. Some changes take time, but it’s important for people to be aware of their history.

Bora

You’ve pointed out that Congress made mistakes in the past, and BJP is currently popular. Do you think there’s potential for a new third party-one that isn’t as secular and left- leaning as Congress or as right-leaning as BJP?

Manish

 Right now, there is some space for other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party. These smaller parties operate in different states and are trying to oppose BJP together. However, it’s tough because BJP is very strong and has a good strategy for gaining people’s votes.

Congress lost elections in 2013 and 2014 due to corruption. For example, if 100 was allocated for a project, only 10 would be used for the work, and 90 would end up in someone’s pocket.

This corruption hindered India’s development. Congress also suffers from nepotism, as it’s seen as a family- run party. India needs to give opportunities to new, capable leaders to end this cycle.

Bora

 What about the younger generation? With the rise of social media and internet access, do you think they are more engaged in politics than older generations?

Manish

Actually, not just in India, but everywhere, social media has a dual effect. It has the potential to do good but can also spread negativity and destroy the future. In India, the youth are in safe hands, but social media is becoming increasingly destructive. For example, if someone posts something negative, it can create a bad image and lead to serious consequences like bullying or even suicide. While the youth are educated, many still don’t understand the difference between right and wrong.

Until this changes, I believe social media will continue to cause more harm than good.

India’s Foreign Policy

Hasan

Moving on to foreign policy, do you think India should follow its own path rather than siding with blocs like the US or China? Should India seek US support when standing against China, or should it pursue its own policies?

Manish

From what I’ve studied, the US has never been India’s true friend. For example, during the 1971 war with Pakistan, most countries-including the UK, US, Iran, Iraq-supported Pakistan, while only one country stood with us: Russia.

India and China have had a controversial relationship for a long time, especially regarding border disputes. Sometimes China includes parts of India on its maps, which creates political tension. However, India and China have been making progress, and I believe we can resolve these issues diplomatically without war. I read the news day before yesterday and our Foreign Minister Mr Jaishankar has announced that we are in a deal with China. So, there are some political deals which obviously government should not disclose. But other than that I would say China is getting better day by day with India.

As for alliances like the Quad (US, Japan, Australia, India), I’m skeptical. I don’t fully trust the US because their goal is often to maintain dominance by keeping other countries like India and China in conflict. However, platforms like G20 are beneficial for India’s development and international presence.

Yağmur

Hello, Manish. What do you think about BRICS, and do you think it is beneficial for India?

Manish

Yeah, actually, it’s beneficial for India because BRICS and G20 have some kinds of policies that can target some countries which are still developing nations. We have the potential to develop as soon as we can. So, BRICS and G20 are something that give India the potential to show that, yes, India is also important, and that we have the power to develop within. So, these groups, BRICS and G20, are a good thing for India.

Kashmir Issue

Hasan

I want to ask you about the Kashmir problem with Pakistan. Do you think that India’s colonial past, and Great Britain’s role in drawing these contested borders, has affected the region’s economics and policies? And do you think Great Britain purposely did this to maintain influence by creating conflict?

Manish

The conflict was created in 1947 when we fought against the British. They actually did something that, even now, we are still suffering from in certain areas. At that time, we never realized that this would become the biggest mystery and issue for India and Pakistan to suffer from all their lives.

I don’t know how many years-how many decades this is going to remain the same. When Great Britain came to India, their sole objective was to rule over Indians. They did some terrible things to Indians. At the same time, they also did some good things, like building infrastructure and putting in place a constitution that we still focus on and follow.

But every advantageous thing has its disadvantages. And this Kashmir issue is one of them. India and Pakistan have been facing this issue for a very long time. But yeah, this is one of the biggest problems.

Yağmur

So, what do you think about Kashmir?

Manish

Ohh, Kashmir , for me, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s considered heaven-mountains, rivers, beautiful people, beautiful communities, beautiful places, and beautiful police. A suitable army-everything is good in Kashmir. Right now, I would say Kashmir is developing and getting better day by day.

Yağmur

And what do you think about Pakistan’s claims on Kashmir? How would you define their role in the conflict?

Manish

It has a very controversial history. Kashmir was ruled by a king from Kashmir, Raja Narsingh. When he was in power, he was ruling the state. At that time, history mentions that Pakistan wanted to claim that part of Kashmir, which was already in India. It was already drawn as part of India by Great Britain.

But Pakistan tried to take that part, trying to do some, you know, terrorism activities. I’m not saying Pakistan as a country did that, but some organizations were trying to do something. As a result, both countries had to face the consequences.

Some organizations did bad things, and then India came into power. There were military activities, the Kargil War, and many other events. Right now, there is a line we call POK- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir- which was also claimed by the UN to be a part of India. But Pakistan, right now, is not ready to give up that part.

Bora

What do you think about Kashmir’s integration into India and the reduction of its autonomy?

Manish

The situation regarding Article 370 has changed. This article allowed Kashmir to have a separate constitution since India gained independence. It declared that Jammu and Kashmir would follow its own laws. For instance, a person from Delhi could not buy property in Kashmir. When the Modi government came to power, they announced that there should only be one Prime Minister for the entire country. Article 370 was removed, which made a significant difference. I visited Kashmir for the first time after the removal, and I felt safe. This was something I didn’t expect. I met local people, including a Muslim taxi driver who was born in Kashmir. He highlighted that terrorist groups were not providing food for families and that tourism and investments were crucial for their livelihood. After the removal of Article 370, tourism increased significantly because Kashmir is beautiful. Now, anyone from India can buy property there, and there is only one flag and one Prime Minister. All rights are now equal, and criminal and terrorist activities have decreased since the central government took control. When I visited, I felt secure, a stark contrast to the past when the Pakistani flag was sometimes seen there. The removal of Article 370 has improved employability and investment opportunities for the people of Kashmir.

Hasan

So, you say you feel safe in Kashmir now. Do you think the deployment of half a million troops in the region is necessary?

Manish

Yes, it is very important. After the removal of Article 370, the main threats were from Pakistan and some leftist parties. They could incite violence against local citizens. For instance, the Pulwama attack, where 40 soldiers died, highlighted the risks. A vehicle registered in Kashmir was used in that attack. After removing Article 370, around 69,000 troops were deployed in Kashmir, which was necessary to maintain safety, as some mindsets still oppose the country. Our Home Minister, Mr. Amit Shah, made the decision to remove Article 370, and it has been beneficial for India.

Yağmur

I’m going to ask one more question. What do you think about the Wagah border? Do you find the military parades held there meaningful?

Manish

The Wagah border is the border between India and Pakistan. The Wagah border is not in Kashmir. It’s in Punjab, near Amritsar. There is non-armed ceremonies that show soldiers talents at a big stadium there.

So, this is a good move. You cannot use weapons at that border because it’s a very political movement. The United Nations has also claimed that weapons cannot be used there. This is something good.

Before coming here, I had never met any people from Pakistan, but at the Wagah border, we can see people from Pakistan. We can wave at them, and they can wave back. We can do political and army-related activities, make people laugh, and make people proud.

Like, “Okay, I’m from Pakistan. I’m from India.” That kind of thing makes people more connected and prouder of their country.

Hasan

OK, I want to ask a question about the India-Pakistan issue. Do you feel safer knowing that both countries have nuclear weapons, or do you think it’s more of a looming danger?

Some people argue that if both sides have nuclear power, there won’t be an all-out war because neither side would dare to start it. What do you think? Because, honestly, a lot of people are very worried about this.

Manish

Well, when I was 10 or 12 years old, I found out that India had nuclear weapons. That became very clear during an incident in India-26/11, the same kind of thing as 9/11 in the US.

It was a terrorist attack in Mumbai where 10 people from Pakistan-coming from Karachi, Islamabad, and other places-entered India. They used AK-47s to kill 300 people in the streets, in hotels, and everywhere. You can read about it anywhere.

That day, I realized we were weak because we weren’t taking immediate action against such things. A terrorist attack like that cannot be ignored by any country. Pakistan claimed, “It’s not our fault. It’s not our involvement.” OK, fine, it’s not your hand. I can agree with that.

But those terrorists came from your country. If something like that is happening, where is your intelligence? Where is your army? Where is your police? These are the kind of loopholes we found in Pakistan’s system.

But one thing is certain: those 10 terrorists were not seen as humans-they were monsters. Because of them, the entire country of Pakistan and its citizens were shamed all over the world.

At that time, I realized that if we have nuclear weapons, we should use them for something like this. What was the fault of those 300 innocent people? They were just having a good time, spending time with their families, and suddenly someone came with an AK-47 and started shooting in the streets. That is unacceptable.

Then, of course, political discussions started. The United Nations came to India and said, “Let’s sit and talk about this.” That was a different time. But right now, if Pakistan does something like this, I don’t think the Indian government will wait or ask for anyone’s approval. They will start taking action against Pakistan immediately.

That’s why, touch wood, Pakistan is not doing anything bad right now. They know that the current government in India is very strong.

India’s Economy and its Challenges

Bora

Let’s discuss India’s economy. There’s a lot of inequality- some people are getting rich through tech startups or with other means, but many still live in poverty. What must be done to address this?

Manish

Right now, what I see in India is like there are still some places, some cities, some people that are still under poverty, which is the biggest scam or biggest loss of India like we are seeing. Some people are getting rich by day and some people getting poor by day. This is due to past policies that weren’t implemented effectively.

India is a massive country, and implementing any policy takes time-at least 7-8 years to reach every household. While the current government is making efforts, they face obstacles from previous policies. Development isn’t an overnight process.

Every government aims to improve things, but corruption and systemic issues have held us back. For example, Congress was in power for decades, but nepotism and corruption prevented substantial progress. It’s all about implementing good policies and giving them time to work.

Bora

Doesn’t right-wing policy exacerbate inequality? For instance, Kerala, with its left-leaning Communist government, has less inequality than other states.

Manish

If I talk about the inequalities, cast and religion are the biggest reason why India is not developing. Because if I want to do something for one community, then other community, will get offended. The other religion will get offended, and they start protesting against the government. The government has to take some steps to agree with the people from the protest.

India has two types of people: literate and illiterate. It’s not like Italy, like when I say something everybody gets here but in India it’s not like that. The government has to create policies that address both groups, which creates a communication barrier. So, this is the communication barrier that separated us for a very long time. I don’t know when this will get better but It’s definitely a big issue.

Yağmur

Have you seen the movie Jawan? What do you think about it?

Manish

Jawan? Yeah, I saw it. This is what I was saying. The same thing has been. Happening in India for the last 70-80 years. We are plagued by corruption. Many people have died-many farmers have died-because of this corruption.

You know what happens? You give me some money because I’m a businessman, and you charge me a very low amount of interest, even though I’m capable of paying the full amount. But still, you charge me less. At the same time, you give loans to farmers, but you charge them very high interest. Then, sometimes, the rains come and destroy their crops. They can’t pay the loan or the interest on time. Then the bank seizes their land, and as a result, they are forced to commit suicide.

This is one of the reasons why so many problems have happened in India. The rules are good, but sometimes you have to think about the citizens as well. Rules are good, and you have to follow them, but sometimes they shouldn’t come at the cost of people’s lives.

That’s one example. Another thing is that the movie Jawan reflects what is happening in India. People-even me-I have also faced corruption in India. Why? Because we live in a system where there is a communication barrier. The government and the people are not directly connected. There’s always a mediator, and that’s where corruption happens.

Bora

I think there are still farmer protests in India today, especially in Punjab. Can you talk about that?

Manish

If you talk about it, there was a similar protest last time, and the funding for that protest was coming from Canada, from an organization called Khalistan. Khalistan is considered a terrorist organization in India. So, if the funding for your protest is coming from a terrorist organization in Canada, like Khalistan, then it’s not a protest for farmers. It becomes a matter of national security.

Last time, the government entertained the protests and addressed some of the farmers’ concerns. But right now, things are not the same. Outsiders are exploiting the loopholes in India, and that’s why we, as citizens, have to face so many challenges.

For example, there was a policy the government issued to eliminate the middlemen between farmers and consumers. The middlemen protested, saying, “How can you do this?” A lot of things happened-prices had to go up, then down. There’s a 1,000-page demand sheet about this issue, which I won’t go into detail about..

Last time, the government entertained the protests. But this time, they aren’t ready to entertain them because there have been reports showing that many of the so-called protesters aren’t actually farmers. For example, some protesters have Canadian visas stamped on their passports, indicating they may be funded by the Khalistan movement.

Hasan

I want to talk about “Make in India’ project. Do you know anything about the project?

Manish

“Make in India” is about India being ready to, first of all, manage import and export. It is the backbone of India. We send and receive a lot of things, but right now the government has a vision: we only want to send. We don’t need to receive anything. So that is the essence of the “Make in India” project. Whatever we are getting from outside, we try to make it in India. Imagine if I’m getting this shirt from an Italian brand. I would like to make this shirt in India with the same quality and design, but the brand should be “Make in India.” This creates awareness in the country about the potential of Indians, the potential of products, the potential for employability, and the potential for awareness. That is the power of “Make in India.” We only want to send; we don’t need to receive anything. For example, if I block you, you can only send me something, but I cannot send you anything. So this is the idea.

Culture and Society

Hasan

I wanted to ask, what do you think about Bollywood and its influence on people’s minds? There is a perception of India created by the movies that India makes. How do you feel about it?

Manish

Right now, in India, all the directors and producers are trying to make movies that address issues that aren’t going well in the country. For example, if I were a director or producer, I would understand that people want to watch movies that raise awareness, both in the world and in the country. Yes, we have romantic movies and light-hearted films, but at the same time, we’ve also seen movies like *The Kashmir Files*, *The Kerala Story*, and others that discuss movements driven by the army or government. These films warn people about important issues. Before watching such movies, I never thought much about Kashmir. But after seeing some films, I learned what really happened there and why people talk about it so much, politically or otherwise. Movies are getting better day by day, but at the same time, romantic films are becoming cheaper and lack a good story.

Bora

I want to ask about the rise of Hindu nationalism and with the rise of BJP, do you think Gandhi’s role in the societal mindset has changed?

Manish

For me, I think we always respect the “Godfather,” Mahatma Gandhi. We honor his legacy and the things he did for India. But at the same time, he made some decisions that weren’t in India’s best interest, and that’s why we are still facing issues like the Kashmir conflict. Mahatma Gandhi is considered one of the most respected people in India and the world. He started movements that led to India’s freedom. But alongside him, there were other important figures, like Bhagat Singh, who people probably do not know about him

Bora

I actually know Bhagat Singh. I really admire him.

Manish

But during that time, Bhagat Singh wasn’t as prominent as Mahatma Gandhi. This is a weakness of India because the Indian National Congress gave priority to Mahatma Gandhi, and he became the backbone of the party.

I’m not saying he was wrong. I have great respect for Mahatma Gandhi. But at the same time, I also want to acknowledge others, like Bhagat Singh, who fought for independence as well.

Bora

But Bhagat Singh was a Communist , right?

Manish 

Bhagat Singh wasn’t focused on religion or anything like that. He was solely fighting against the British to unite people and resist British rule. The British were treating Indians horribly, and Bhagat Singh was determined to free India because it was our country, our people, our land, and our resources. He didn’t believe the British had any right to rule over us. This was the movement, and Bhagat Singh gave his life for it at a young age, being hanged in his 20s. But he wasn’t a commie.

Bora

I want to ask about one more person. Do you think the rise of nationalism has led to more recognition of Subhas Chandra Bose?

Manish

Ah, Subhas Chandra Bose. Yes, he was one of the most important leaders. His slogan was, “You give me 10 good people, and I will give you a better nation.” He believed that with strong, capable people, a nation could become great. I haven’t read much about him, but I do know that he played a crucial role during the freedom struggle. His leadership was important because a strong leader like him could make a significant difference. I’m sorry, I don’t have much more knowledge about him.

Hasan

Do you think brain drain has been a concern for India? A lot of very intelligent people are going to countries like Canada and the United States. Do you think this skilled migration weakens India? Or does it strengthen the global network of the country?

Manish

Actually, right now, I would say it’s all about wages and salaries. If a person is getting a good salary, it doesn’t mean they don’t love their country. Right now, we have several CEOs in big companies like Google, Apple, YouTube, etc. These companies are doing really well with Indians, and the CEOs are getting salaries that would not be possible in India.

So, imagine if I’m working with Gucci right now, and someday Gucci offers me a permanent job as a CEO with the same amount of salary, which I could never get in India.

So, for me, that would be important. But at the same time, I would say I cannot do anything against India. There are two kinds of mindsets. On one hand, I’m getting opportunities, wages, and salaries. On the other hand, I promise myself that I will never do anything against India. This is a mindset that most Indians have.

When you move abroad, you have to deal with technical, political, and informational matters. For example, if I’m staying here, I need to get certifications and complete important documentation. These are necessary to stay here. So, it’s not always a matter of choice. Often, it’s because of rules and regulations.

Hasan

Okay, I have a follow-up, actually. There are a lot of Indians in Canada, and they even have communities or party groups. They’ve built a strong influence there. There’s a lot of talk about how Canada is becoming the “new India” because so many people are moving there. Do you feel like there’s a strong sense of community among Indians when they go abroad? Do they help each other out?

Manish

It’s all about social awareness. On social media, people show a different image of Canada, and when others see this, they get attracted and want to go there too. At the same time, I think there’s a big mistake being made by Canadian consultancies. They’re giving too many visas to Indians. When people get a visa easily, they want to take the opportunity and do something better for themselves.

There are some places in India where people can’t grow, so they choose to go somewhere else to try and improve their lives.

But right now, Canada’s situation is really bad. You can’t even imagine-I have hundreds, maybe thousands, of friends who are staying in Canada. And literally, if there’s a vacancy for one person in a café, you’ll see 2,000 people lining up outside, and most of them are Indians. This is the reality.

I don’t understand why the government or the general public isn’t aware that this is not the right time to move to Canada and try to do something better.

At the same time, I would say social awareness is very important. This is where social media plays a big role. A single person can’t visit Canada, come back, and explain the reality to everyone. Only social media can highlight what’s really happening.

Right now, Canada’s situation is getting worse day by day. And as far as I know, even the Khalistani movement is happening in Canada.

From my perspective, you’re absolutely right-Canada is becoming a mini India, or a mini Punjab, day by day. All the people wearing turbans make it feel like Punjab. Honestly, I can’t even find Canadians in Canada anymore. Seriously, because my friend, this is actually a true story, my friend went to Canada to study at a Canadian university, but the teacher was Indian, the students were Indian, and the guy in charge at the faculty was also Indian. And the university’s name was National Institute of India. What the fuck? So, this is something that’s completely beyond my understanding.

Bora

What do you attribute to rise in youth unemployment in India? Why is there so much unemployment in India right now?

Manish

Actually, demographics sometimes show things that are not in favor of the government. Yes, you are absolutely right-we are facing unemployment day by day. The reason is that when the government starts a mission, the problem in India is that people never listen to the government. For example, if the government starts a vision that every individual should have at most two children-not more than that-but people don’t follow it.

I don’t know why. Even my father-like, we have more siblings than needed! So this is a mistake on my father’s part too. You have to listen to the government. If you have such a big country, you need to do things that are really important for the country.

At the same time, if there’s only a need for two people per family, you see families that have 4, 5, or 6 children. And if you look at the Muslim community, you see families with 11 or 12 children-you can literally make a football team. Then, when it comes to employability, we can say, “Okay, the employment situation is bad in India.”

But also, people are not getting properly educated day by day. If there’s a job post, there’s often a lack of qualified candidates; when you talk about a lack of education, it also means a lack of attention and awareness. So, it’s not only about jobs and unemployment-it’s about education, awareness, and attention.

It’s like a chain. If you break one link in the chain, the whole system falls apart. So, we need to strengthen every part of the chain equally. Every initiative set by the government is important, and it has to be followed properly.

Bora

It seems like Islamophobia is on the rise in India. Do you think this is a true assessment?

Manish

No, actually, I don’t think there is any Islamophobia. There are some leaders who create this mess in India. For me, I always respect others and have never faced such a situation in India. There is a political movement, and I have also participated in my friends’ religious festivals, like Ramadan. I celebrate Eid when they sight the moon. This is something I can say is a political movement to gain votes because Islam and Muslims are minorities in India. They make up about 20% of the population, while 80% are Hindus. Minority votes are very important for every political party because minorities can influence who is going to be the Prime Minister. So, this animosity is not between citizens; it’s between political parties, not the citizens. As far as I know, there is no Islamophobia. Don’t worry.

Bora

I want to ask about the caste system. Is it still prominent?

Manish

The caste system has been part of India’s culture for a long time. My family, relatives, and friends all follow the caste system. Sometimes it’s beneficial, but other times it’s detrimental. For example, if a guy loves a girl from a different caste, they may not be able to marry due to their caste differences. This can lead to violence. The caste system also divides festivals and religious practices, similar to how religion does. In India, there are two kinds of castes that create significant discrimination. The lowest castes often cannot enter temples or mosques, nor can they use the same water as higher castes. These practices still exist in some states, which is very unfortunate. The government is taking steps to address the discrimination and distance between upper and lower castes. The day the caste system is fully removed in India, I believe many problems will be solved. There are many sub-castes, and the discrimination is evident when, for example, a lower caste person cannot even marry someone from an upper caste.

Future of India

Hasan

Yeah. So, like, you talked about the population expanding rapidly and how there needs to be more effective policy to address it. What do you think about Al and automation becoming more common? What do you think the future looks like for India? Because with automation, yeah, there might be fewer jobs. We talk about it, and everybody is worried about it. But in India, it’s a huge problem because of the massive population. What do you think? Do you think it’s a real threat?

Manish

Actually, yeah, this is something similar to what happened in India 2-3 years ago. When Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, wanted to operate in India-not just plant, but actually manufacture-he wasn’t even ready to manufacture here. He only wanted to deliver Tesla cars in India.

But the government stopped him. They said, “If you want to sell your cars in India but don’t want to employ our citizens, then it’s better you don’t.” So they proposed an idea: Tesla could set up a production plant in India, create jobs for Indian citizens, and then sell cars or do anything they wanted.

But Elon Musk wasn’t ready for this because it required a big investment. If you set up a plant in India and manufacture something, you need a strong revenue stream and good income.

Al and automation are growing bigger every day, and in India, I would say it will take at least a decade to have a significant impact. We are still using fewer electric cars in India. So, imagine-I will come back after a decade, and by that time, I think India will have found some alternative ways to create employment for its citizens.

Hasan

So, like we talked about Elon Musk, I wanted to ask, do you think the Indian space program will go far? India is currently a leading power in the race for space. Do you think it’s worth it? It’s very controversial to spend so much on space projects that have long-term outcomes, but in the short term, they just seem to boost national pride. Do you think it is important?

Manish

From my perspective, we are still lacking in areas like education and healthcare. It is worth it when we consider international standing, but not when we look at issues within the country. Some people still go to bed hungry in India. It’s true that some individuals are waiting for justice in court because every judge has hundreds of cases. A single person cannot handle so many people at once. Sometimes, unfortunate incidents occur, like a woman being raped, and when she seeks justice, it could take years for the case to be resolved. This is one of the weakest parts of India. When children get into accidents, they may die on the spot because there is no ambulance available. These are weaknesses I have witnessed in India. People are not getting enough food, wages, or resources to support their families. However, on a nationwide scale, India is growing in the eyes of people from other countries. For example, Italians and French people often say, “India is growing.” But internally, I know the challenges we face, including in healthcare, education, and hospitality. I don’t understand why the government isn’t taking stronger steps to address these issues. I strongly recommend they should take action to create a better environment for the future.

Hasan

So, looking at this, what do you think about the space program then?

Manish

I don’t think it’s a bad idea. The space program is like any other agency. ISRO is doing really well. There is a budget for every individual organization in India, such as defense, space, and states. If we allocate part of the budget to states for building schools and medical facilities, that part of the budget is often insufficient. Meanwhile, there is a budget for space projects, and if they are achieving good results with that budget, the government shouldn’t halt it. We cannot solve everything in one day or year. We are making gradual progress. Both space projects and social projects are important in their own right. If we stopped the space projects and focused solely on education or social issues, it wouldn’t solve the problems overnight. It will take decades, and we must gradually address both areas. For me, space projects are beneficial; they motivate the nation and students. They also create awareness. For instance, I can proudly tell people in Italy that India reached the moon. That’s a positive aspect.

Hasan

We want to ask your personal opinion on this as well. What do you think the future of India looks like? As a member of the younger generation, there is a lot of discussion on YouTube about advancements in technology and other fields. Our perception of Indian people is changing with these youth movements. What do you think the future holds for you and India?

Manish

The good thing about the current situation in India is that people are thinking more broadly. Personally, I never thought about studying in Italy back in 2017 or 2018. But now, I see that international relations and policies are strengthening, and this inspires me. The government’s current approach is significant for international relations. Regarding internal matters, we are predominantly Hindu and celebrate Hindu festivals, but earlier we were not very aware of our history. It’s important to know the reality behind the beliefs we hold. While we are a Hindu-majority country, we also respect all religions. Economically, India is growing day by day, but we need to focus more on policies to address poverty and underprivileged conditions. We should invest in stronger policies aimed at alleviating poverty. Education is crucial, and I recommend that any government in power should start awareness campaigns to educate everyone, regardless of their current level of education. There is always more to learn. Overall, I believe we are in safe hands for now. From my point of view, I feel secure, although I cannot predict the future completely. But I believe we are on a positive path.

Hasan:

Thank you for your responses. That’s all for today’s interview.

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