Visited India after the longest gap (~2.5 years).
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Three observations from the milieu I grew up around (Gujarat):
Visited India after the longest gap (~2.5 years).
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Three observations from the milieu I grew up around (Gujarat):
1b. Friends I grew up with rarely carry Rs. 200 with them on a daily basis. This is beyond a cultural shift. A few years ago this would have been impossible to imagine.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Just the sheer scale of digital payment literacy that has happened in India is beyond anywhere in West!
2a. The Shark Tank India of entrepreneurial ambitions is very real! For a few years, universities have been aggressively investing in incubation cells.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
There is a total change in how a college experience is now perceived. It is not just a degree or finding campus placements.
2b. Interacting with high school students to freshly college graduates, there is a bidding desire for them to "launch ideas" instead of "work to survive".
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
This is also reflected in their solid understanding of stocks and bitcoins. 20-year-olds are ready to invest and how!
2c. Speaking of stocks, everyone is investing! Like literally everyone (even the age groups of parents) are wanting to go beyond "orthodox" investments in "post and gold"
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
A friend's father who retired from govt. job, uses app to keep track of his portfolio! I had to introspect!
3a. And this is on a personal note.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
In our housing society, most of my age group are abroad (work, study etc.) At one time, houses of NRIs were looked at awe.
Now its complete counter - the lifestyle of those who stayed back with their family is much better in all social index
3b. Having continued generational support in a home makes so much difference!
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
One street has active families getting together, festivals being celebrated.
On my street, there is no one left of my age. Mom, neighbors miss the noise, "our tamasha" during Uttarayan, Diwali, Holi.
3c. My friends who live in Guarjat get together often with their extended-immediate families. Family Diwali trips, cousin weddings, restaurants. All "stress-free" social interactions, everyone is at peace.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
AND so much better is the mental health of everyone in their families.
4a. one more! That era of house help being around for their life - gone! Being replaced by apps.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
During my visit, I had AC repair, full house cleaning, pest control & MY HAIRCUT AT HOME, all done/booked through apps.
Professional agencies. On time. Digital payment. Like a boss!
4b. Continuing my awe with Digital India. I went for a passport renewal. Standard process. BUT this is where you can see the strength of digital infrastructure.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
I got a text message right as soon as I made payment. And every update since - print, police verification, courier!
4c. One more example of digital infrastructure robustness was the FastTag at highways. No traffic jams at toll!
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Every single car, truck, bus has it. Automatically deducts from your bank. You get an email and text message.
And if you returning back, it adjusts round trip costs!
5a. While this level of Digital Literacy is profound, what is even a step more is so much adoption has happened in the background of the global pandemic.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
That brings to the conclusion:
5b. People, businesses, have moved on from COVID setbacks. K-12 schools are opened and everyone is happy!
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Almost everyone is vaccinated and is taking sufficient precautions (beyond just masks). All are tired of media fear-mongering and no other wave is going to shake them.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Completely random but brought a big smile.
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) March 9, 2022
Saw a billboard in one of the remote places with a quote from legendary astrophysicist Sir Martin Rees about global warming.
Not many places on western hemisphere will you get to see this acknowledgment of Climate Change. pic.twitter.com/9UcqOwR5Fa
#TrumpWasRightAboutEverything is a russian bot hashtag. Happens every day at the same time.
— GOP praises Putin. Vote Blue! ☮️🇺🇦 (@Scout20202) March 10, 2022
