Since its independence in 1947, India has proudly followed the democratic tradition. This was advanced at the declaration of the modern Indian Republic in 1950, vesting sovereignty not in any person or office, but in the collective citizenry of the Republic.
This popular sovereignty implied not only that sovereignty would never leave Indian shores with the people choosing their rulers, but also that the people were more than just mere governed subjects with franchise. Rather, the Indian citizenry is to be the Bhaagyavidhaata: The writers of India’s destiny, whose beliefs, opinions, and interests are to be reflected in the State’s policies.
In the contemporary era, characterised by a return to great power rivalry, weaponisation of private technology, cross-border surveillance, and foreign influence operations, leading to a change in the nature of warfare, the Indian statecraft faces a turbulent era. The youth of India, representing the largest demographic, will be experiencing this turbulence first-hand, therefore, understanding the collective opinion of the youth vis-à-vis India’s position and options in the modern world is critical for the Republic’s future, especially in the digital realm.
How Indian youth view the tech competition | ORF (orfonline.org)
