The contrast between India’s investment in science and technology versus its spending on freebies is staggering. isro and DRDO together operate on a modest budget of around $4.55 billion, and yet they have managed to achieve world-class milestones like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, and breakthroughs in defense technology.
Now imagine if these institutions were given the $60 billion that is routinely set aside for electoral freebies. With that kind of funding, india could accelerate its space exploration program, send multiple Chandrayaan sequels, aim for a manned Mars mission by 2035, develop hypersonic missiles, and build AI-driven defense and satellite systems that could rival global giants like SpaceX or Starlink. This is the kind of vision that could transform india into a true technological superpower.
Instead, political priorities often tilt toward short-term electoral gains rather than long-term national strength. Freebies, while popular and politically rewarding, do little to build sustainable growth or global competitiveness. They may secure votes in the immediate sense, but they drain resources that could otherwise fund innovation, education, infrastructure, and scientific research. This imbalance not only slows down progress but also risks leaving india dependent on other nations for advanced technologies, even as its brightest minds migrate abroad in search of better opportunities.
The real test of leadership lies in choosing between short-term populism and long-term nation-building. Countries that invested in innovation — from the US with nasa to China’s massive push in space and AI — are now reaping strategic and economic dominance. india has already shown the world what it can achieve with limited resources. If the same focus and funding were directed toward science and defense instead of electoral freebies, the nation could leapfrog decades ahead, ensuring security, prosperity, and global respect. Innovation builds nations, but sadly, in today’s politics, vote bank billions still outweigh visionary investments.
Now imagine if these institutions were given the $60 billion that is routinely set aside for electoral freebies. With that kind of funding, india could accelerate its space exploration program, send multiple Chandrayaan sequels, aim for a manned Mars mission by 2035, develop hypersonic missiles, and build AI-driven defense and satellite systems that could rival global giants like SpaceX or Starlink. This is the kind of vision that could transform india into a true technological superpower.
Instead, political priorities often tilt toward short-term electoral gains rather than long-term national strength. Freebies, while popular and politically rewarding, do little to build sustainable growth or global competitiveness. They may secure votes in the immediate sense, but they drain resources that could otherwise fund innovation, education, infrastructure, and scientific research. This imbalance not only slows down progress but also risks leaving india dependent on other nations for advanced technologies, even as its brightest minds migrate abroad in search of better opportunities.
The real test of leadership lies in choosing between short-term populism and long-term nation-building. Countries that invested in innovation — from the US with nasa to China’s massive push in space and AI — are now reaping strategic and economic dominance. india has already shown the world what it can achieve with limited resources. If the same focus and funding were directed toward science and defense instead of electoral freebies, the nation could leapfrog decades ahead, ensuring security, prosperity, and global respect. Innovation builds nations, but sadly, in today’s politics, vote bank billions still outweigh visionary investments.
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