“India’s Transition Generation (ITG)” is witnessing a remarkable transformation
Indians born in late 60`s till late 70`s are what I label as the “Indian Transition Generation”. I define a “Transition Generation” as the generation which has seen a major changes in country especially in living standards, global outlook, mind sets and importantly competitiveness in the global arena. ITG would have come into the workforce in mid-1990`s and has seen India change from reflective of low-quality work, inward looking systems and substandard products to becoming global beaters in many arenas, imbibing global thought processes and work processes and systems being aligned with global standards.With yours truly being from the “Indian transition generation”, in this article I try to capture the experiences, thoughts, key events that is synonymous with this generation.
All countries in their history have experienced pivotal changes that reshaped their destinies for better or worse. The generation that lived through these transformations, which I refer to as the "Transition Generation" (TG), witnessed history unfold before their eyes. Developed countries all have their TGs - Europe during the Industrial Revolution in 1700`s and 1800`s, the United States in the 1800`s as it emerged as a superpower, and China's remarkable growth in recent decades. India too has its ITG, born from the late 1960s to the late 1970s, who entered the workforce in the mid to late 1990s. They have seen India evolve from a backward, third-world nation known for substandard products and inward-looking practices to a globally competitive, democratic country with internationally-aligned business norms.
I recently had a conversation with my teenage daughter who asked about my favourite TV channels when I grew up and how often I talked to my parents when I first went to a hostel. I explained that in those days, we had only one TV channel, Doordarshan, which aired from 6 PM to 11 PM. To make long-distance calls from a public phone booth was a once-a-week luxury, usually after 9 PM, for quarter-rate calls back home as no mobiles were prevalent as it is now.
I recently had a conversation with my teenage daughter who asked about my favourite TV channels when I grew up and how often I talked to my parents when I first went to a hostel. I explained that in those days, we had only one TV channel, Doordarshan, which aired from 6 PM to 11 PM. To make long-distance calls from a public phone booth was a once-a-week luxury, usually after 9 PM, for quarter-rate calls back home as no mobiles were prevalent as it is now.
Key message is that today’s generation, like my daughter, has access to facilities comparable to developed Western countries, signifying the dramatic change India has undergone in the last 25-30 years.
Key event for India`s transformation
Turning point for the ITG was the 1991 Union finance budget presented by Dr. Manmohan Singh, which ushered in a wave of economic reforms that transformed India from a protectionist economy into a global player. Indian GDP growth surged from a stagnant Hindu growth rate of 2-3% to over 7% as Indian companies embraced globalization. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flowed into India, boosting investments, and Indian exports diversified to encompass IT services, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and other manufactured goods, including defence products, making a mark in the global market. ITG, once seen as the underprivileged cousins of their Western counterparts, now stand confidently on par with their global peers.
Signs of Transformation witnessed by India's Transition Generation
Indian businesses went global
Before 1991, India was perceived as an inward-looking, bureaucratic, and corruption-ridden economy, with a very few international players investing. Many companies, like Coca-Cola, exited India in the late '70s, and Indian products were notorious for their low quality. Post-1991, Indian businesses began to venture abroad.
The IT services industry led the way with the Y2K boom, followed by global giants like Microsoft, IBM, Google, Amazon, and Facebook setting up operations in India. Indian IT talent became highly sought after, and cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai became IT hubs.
Global automotive majors like Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai established production bases in India, boosting ancillary industries and these hubs became the base for these companies` exports to global markets. Other sectors like chemicals and pharmaceuticals also expanded internationally, with companies like Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy making their mark.
Indian corporations started acquiring global companies, enhancing India's position in outward FDI. This transformation elevated India to one of the top five global economies.
The IT services industry led the way with the Y2K boom, followed by global giants like Microsoft, IBM, Google, Amazon, and Facebook setting up operations in India. Indian IT talent became highly sought after, and cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai became IT hubs.
Global automotive majors like Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai established production bases in India, boosting ancillary industries and these hubs became the base for these companies` exports to global markets. Other sectors like chemicals and pharmaceuticals also expanded internationally, with companies like Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy making their mark.
Indian corporations started acquiring global companies, enhancing India's position in outward FDI. This transformation elevated India to one of the top five global economies.
Major change for ITG has been that once we were in awe of the international brands and goods but now have now access to all the goods at our doorsteps. We aren’t looked down globally but now treated with respect in all global arenas!!
Indian Cricket Team Triumphed Abroad and India Excelled in the Olympics
Historically, the Indian cricket team was strong at home but struggled overseas. However, the ITG witnessed a shift when Sourav Ganguly, with ITG members like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and VVS Laxman, changed the team's mindset. India began winning matches globally, eventually reaching the world no. 1 rank in 2008 and securing a World Cup win in 2011.
Similarly, India's performance in the Olympics improved. Till 1980 India used to win Olympic medals only in hockey and in fact from 1984 till 1992, it didn’t win any medal at all. Nowadays India has grown as a sporting nation with medals in athletics, boxing, wrestling, shooting, etc.
Similarly, India's performance in the Olympics improved. Till 1980 India used to win Olympic medals only in hockey and in fact from 1984 till 1992, it didn’t win any medal at all. Nowadays India has grown as a sporting nation with medals in athletics, boxing, wrestling, shooting, etc.
In contrast to the limited sports options the ITG had to follow, today’s generation has a wide array of sporting choices.
India's Growing Global Influence
Visit of global leaders to India
In the 1980s and early '90s, India rarely received visits from major global leaders as reflected in no US presidential visits in the 80`s and 90`s. Indian leaders visited few foreign capitals but didn’t exude much influence. However, from the 2000s onward, India's stature changed. US presidents, from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump, visited India, acknowledging its global importance. India`s recent G20 show with all major global leaders attending enhanced India`s status. Indian Prime Ministers like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi were invited to address the US Senate, further establishing India's global presence.
Next generation misses nothing – global opportunities in the comfort of their own house
Many ITG members went abroad for career opportunities and financial benefits. However, they often missed their homeland and faced challenges as second-class citizens. India's economic progress elevated salaries and opportunities, drawing many Indians back to work at home. The current generation, in contrast, enjoys world-class education, exposure through the internet, top-notch job prospects, and the comfort of staying near family and friends. They have global opportunities in India as first-class citizens, free from the spectre of xenophobia.
India’s foreign policy evolved, allowing it to engage from a position of strength as witnessed in the recent stand with the Western countries and Russia.
Role of ITG in Shaping India's Future
India remains a young country, with a majority of its population in the 25-40 years bracket. Hence the question arises – does the ITG have a significant role to play in India`s future development? The answer is an overwhelming “Yes”.
The combination of Generation Z, Millennials (25-45 years), and the ITG (45 years+) can provide India with a unique blend of experience and youthful energy. In today's volatile global geopolitical landscape, this synergy can drive the nation forward, with the ITG offering guidance to the younger generations. It's a powerful combination for India's continued growth and development.
In conclusion, India's transformation, as witnessed by the ITG, is nothing short of a modern marvel, and the potential for its future growth is boundless. The Indian people have played a huge role and will continue to play a significant role – be it the ITG or the Generation Z and millennials. I see a great future ahead. As an Indian, am proud to say "Bharat Zindabad" and am grateful to have been born and raised in our remarkable country, Bharat/India/Hindustan.
The combination of Generation Z, Millennials (25-45 years), and the ITG (45 years+) can provide India with a unique blend of experience and youthful energy. In today's volatile global geopolitical landscape, this synergy can drive the nation forward, with the ITG offering guidance to the younger generations. It's a powerful combination for India's continued growth and development.
In conclusion, India's transformation, as witnessed by the ITG, is nothing short of a modern marvel, and the potential for its future growth is boundless. The Indian people have played a huge role and will continue to play a significant role – be it the ITG or the Generation Z and millennials. I see a great future ahead. As an Indian, am proud to say "Bharat Zindabad" and am grateful to have been born and raised in our remarkable country, Bharat/India/Hindustan.
Great read Ram……nice broad overview of how the world and Indians themselves perceived their potential in the past versus now ….. a sea change especially in the past decade….all to look forward to our Desh believing in it’s natural, human and moral resourcefulness and shining bright ✨🪄
Thanks Savita. You are spot on. India has indeed changed since we all grew up