- Sanjeev Krishan says quality education and healthcare will boost India’s workforce.
- Panel highlights job creation and upskilling as keys to prosperity.
- India’s wealth gap grows despite new billionaires every month.
At Business Today’s MindRush, Sanjeev Krishan, PwC India Chairperson, urged India to focus on better education and healthcare to turn its young population into a productive force. Speaking in the session “Decoding India’s Path to Prosperity,” he said these two areas are vital to lift people up and drive growth. He also pushed for big businesses and long-term skills over quick fixes like subsidies, as India aims to build a stronger future.
The discussion revealed a split reality: India adds a new dollar billionaire almost monthly, yet over 800 million people can’t afford proper meals. Namita Thapar of Emcure Pharmaceuticals defined prosperity on three levels—personal peace, corporate profits, and national progress. She pointed out that national prosperity is far off due to rising wealth gaps, poor education, and a weak healthcare system struggling with diseases like diabetes. Meanwhile, Mathew Cyriac of Florintree Advisors shared how he turned around a failing company, doubled its jobs—mostly for women—and made it profitable, showing how inclusive work creates real change.
The panel agreed job creation is the best sign of prosperity. Thapar praised India’s startup boom, with 120+ unicorns worth $350 billion, fueled by $100 billion in risky bets from investors. She cited Shark Tank, where early-stage companies get funding to grow and hire. But with 50% of workers under-skilled and AI taking over tasks, the panel stressed upskilling—especially in areas like chip design, where India has talent but needs more research and technical training to stay ahead.
