Dead Economy? Watch Bharat Break All Growth Records

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 9th August: The story of Bharat’s economy is not just written in numbers—it is etched in the struggles and dreams of its people. From the broken streets of post-Independence poverty to the bustling skylines of 21st-century ambition, Bharat’s journey has been a symphony of grit and vision. Once weighed down by the chains of colonial exploitation and decades of sluggish policies, the nation’s heartbeat often seemed faint. But today, it thunders. It thunders in the railways that race across the land, in the satellites that orbit above, in the factories humming with industry, and in the smartphones of a billion citizens making digital payments with a tap.

Yet, amidst this roaring progress, a few voices—Donald Trump and Rahul Gandhi among them—have chosen to label Bharat’s economic engine as “dead.” The irony? The facts tell a story so vastly different, their words seem almost like satire.

From Colonial Hollowing to Post-Independence Stagnation

When Bharat gained independence in 1947, the economy was fragile—its backbone bent by centuries of British exploitation. The early decades under Congress saw noble intentions but sluggish growth, often bound by outdated socialist frameworks. Economic liberalization in the 1990s opened new doors, but the momentum remained uneven, weighed down by corruption, bureaucracy, and policy paralysis.

By the early 2010s, inflation was high, infrastructure lagged decades behind global standards, and foreign investors saw Bharat as a risky bet. The dream of a prosperous Bharat seemed perpetually delayed.

2014: The Turning of the Tide

When Narendra Modi took the helm in 2014, he inherited an economy gasping for air. His approach was not to apply superficial remedies but to rebuild from the grassroots—modernizing infrastructure, streamlining governance, igniting entrepreneurship, and inspiring global confidence in Bharat’s potential.

Under his leadership, Bharat surged to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with the IMF projecting it to claim the third spot by 2028. Growth rates outpaced the US and China, inflation fell to around 3%, and foreign direct investment poured in from over 110 countries. Bharat now ranks 15th globally in FDI inflows—a sharp contrast to the stagnancy of previous decades.

Infrastructure: The Steel Spine of a Rising Nation

In just a decade, Bharat’s highways expanded by 60%, the railways doubled their capacity, and metro networks grew from five cities to over twenty-two. Central infrastructure spending jumped from ₹2.5 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹11.1 lakh crore in 2024–25.

Port turnaround times are now faster than Singapore’s, and the logistics sector outperforms advanced economies. These changes aren’t just statistics—they are arteries carrying prosperity to every corner of Bharat.

From Villages to Unicorns: The Complete Transformation

PM Modi’s vision was never confined to urban skylines. Rural Bharat—home to the nation’s agricultural backbone—has seen record production in milk, rice, pulses, and jute. The agriculture budget has grown tenfold, while technology adoption has empowered farmers like never before.

Simultaneously, Bharat has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem, boasting over 1.5 lakh startups and 110+ unicorns. The nation makes iPhones for the world, dominates the pharmaceutical industry, and is rapidly developing its indigenous defence sector.

The Digital Revolution: A New Economic Identity

The Aadhaar biometric system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the world’s lowest mobile data rates have transformed everyday life. Bharat now leads the globe in per-user mobile data consumption and digital transactions. This digital backbone has boosted transparency, cut corruption, and brought millions into the formal economy.

Green Growth and Global Responsibility

Bharat’s growth under Modi has not come at the cost of the planet. Solar capacity has grown 30-fold, EV sales have soared, and initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission are setting new sustainability benchmarks.

On the world stage, Bharat has transitioned from an aid recipient to a donor nation, with $48 billion in assistance to over 65 countries since 2000. The pandemic saw Bharat sending over 240 million vaccine doses to nearly 100 nations—a testament to its role as a responsible global leader.

The ‘Dead Economy’ Myth

When leaders like Trump or Rahul Gandhi brand Bharat’s economy as “dead,” they are either grossly misinformed or politically motivated. No “dead economy” builds the world’s second-largest road network, ranks as the fastest-growing major economy, or trains over 1.4 crore youth in a decade.

The truth is simple—Bharat is not dying, it is leading. It is crafting a unique development model: fast growth with inclusivity, global ambition with rural grounding, technology with tradition.

The Sky is Not the Limit

From the ashes of colonial drain to the heights of becoming a global economic powerhouse, Bharat’s rise is a story of resilience, vision, and relentless work. PM Modi’s leadership has not just revived the economy; it has redefined it.

Those who doubt this journey are free to speak, but their words cannot dim the light of a billion dreams. The Bharat of today is not looking for validation—it is setting the benchmark. And to those who still cling to the “dead economy” narrative, perhaps it’s time they realized: Bharat is not just alive—it’s soaring.