By Martin Valiyaparambil
Kochi, July 26, 2026: The idea of India becoming a “Viswaguru” by 2047 has, in recent years gained significant prominence in public discourse.
The vision, strongly articulated by the prime minister Shri Narendra Modi, aspires to position the nation not merely as a global power in economic or technological terms but as a guiding force capable of shaping the moral, intellectual and cultural direction of the world.
At one level, such a dream is both inspiring and necessary at this time. Every nation requires a horizon toward which it strives.
The concept of Viswaguru—a teacher to the world—draws from India’s ancient civilizational heritage, when seekers from across the globe turned to this land for wisdom and spiritual insight.
To rekindle that legacy in a contemporary context is indeed a noble and notable aspiration. The common man raises the eyebrow at the present situation as how can it be possible to become ‘viswaguru’ in the said time.
To have a vision is always a yardstick to improve the performance and to motivate to transform the ways to reach up to the aim and is the icing on the cake.
Through the grapevine in the air, it is giggled as a utopian dream and the term has just become a demagogy to instill euphoria in the common man. A vision, however elevated, cannot be sustained on rhetoric alone.
It must find expression in the lived experiences of the people and in their life. Increasingly, there is a growing unease that the term Viswaguru risks becoming a political slogan, capable of evoking emotional pride but not necessarily grounded in structural transformation, particularly with the fact of paper leakage in the highly profile entrance exams like NEET etc.
Present situation across the country reveals a troubling disconnect between aspiration and reality, a disconnect between the common man and the political leadership and even the executive and judiciary.
One such deeply disturbing episode is the ongoing protest at Jantar mantar and the hunger strike by Sonum Wangchuk and others.
A guru is the one who listens, understands and guides the apprentice or novice or seeker. It seems if Gandhiji is on hunger strike at this age, then he himself would have called it off within a few days as the powerful weapon once he used against the colonial powers remain meaning less today.
Unless there is a respect to the human being, citizens by the so called policy makers who are at powers by the electoral right of these common citizens, there is no meaning of such protests to arouse conscience and awareness on the issues.
The recent incidents and the functioning of the legislature, executive and judiciary compel us to think that it is just to keep the people in cloud nine rather for the wellbeing and upkeep of minimum human dignity expected of it.
Yet, the critical question that confronts us today is whether our present realities reflect the values we seek to project it globally.
If India is to emerge as a moral guide to the world, it must first ensure that its own citizens are treated with dignity and empathy. Leadership begins not on global platforms but in the everyday interactions between institutions and the people they serve.
The nation needs to learn a lot from the rest of the world how to treat its citizens in respect and dignity not as commodity and means to obtain power and position with bare minimum pittance to gather support and votes.
The largest democracy is at mockery in the entire world when the allegations of mismatch of the electoral process arouse.
The general public is treated just a means to grab position as the elected ones move from parties to parties to feather one’s own nest without any prick of conscience. What ethics do we teach to the world by this?
Equally concerning is the erosion of ethical standards in political life. The frequent shifting of party loyalties by elected representatives often without accountability to the electorate, raises serious questions about the integrity of democratic practice.
When political expediency takes precedence over public trust, the very foundation of democracy is weakened.
Is it not to take a disdain of to the people who voted when an accused and charged leader is given clean chit and made icon of service once he is part of the ruling alliance.
The credibility of institutions is further tested when allegations against influential individuals appear to dissolve upon political realignment or when concerns raised by the opposition fail to receive due attention.
A nation that aspires to guide others must itself be anchored in transparency, fairness and the rule of law.
Economic realities also demand an honest reflection.
While India has made notable strides in growth and global visibility, a vast segment of its population continues to struggle with basic necessities. Farmers, laborers and the marginalized often remain on the peripheries of development.
The platforms funded by the taxpayers are used for mere personal whims and fancies by the powerful ones.
True national greatness is not measured by ambitious declarations but by the dignity and well-being of the most vulnerable. A vast majority is in hard struggle to earn and fulfil their basic needs and we claim to be viswaguru.
The public always looks at the judiciary as the last source and final ray of hope to give wings to their struggles for peace and justice yet today one is forced to accept the hard truth that it often remains for the privileged and powerful ones as it couldn’t care the less.
The judiciary, long regarded as the last refuge of hope, faces increasing scrutiny over delays and accessibility.
Justice when delayed or perceived as selective, loses its moral force. A society aspiring to moral leadership must ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done swiftly and fairly.
Another area of concern is the growing politicization of religion. India’s strength has historically lain in its pluralism, in the ability of diverse communities to coexist in mutual respect.
However, the instrumental use of religion for political mobilization risks deepening divisions and eroding this legacy. Religion, instead of being a source of solace and peace, is too often turned into a tool of contestation.
Religion and religious places must be a comforting to the man at despair, struggles etc but it is used to entice the support and amass wealth to the organizations and persons.
The leaders on the stage take the name of gods according to the places where ever they are without any reverence, just to ignite the spirit of the crowd and then utilize to even for tensions and fights among different groups as that of the wolf in sheep’s clothing and even by playing fast and loose.
The increase in the religious fanatic elements and vandalism prove this.
The common man turn to places of worship to seek the blessings of the deity by offering what they have, even those in ivory castles too offer gold and silver to enjoy peace of mind and possess more.
It is very pity that even what is offered to the deities are also grabbed and looted in lakhs and crores by the so-called protectors and sadhus.
The satire is when the gods are not spared by these powerful ones, then imagine the condition of the common citizens of the nation.
In this context, it is necessary to ask: what does it truly mean to be a “Viswaguru”? Is it merely about global recognition and influence or does it demand a deeper commitment to justice, compassion and integrity?
The answer is self-evident. A nation cannot credibly claim to teach the world while neglecting the urgent need for introspection at home.
The path to becoming a Viswaguru lies not in grand proclamations but in quiet, consistent efforts to uphold human dignity, strengthen institutions and foster unity. It requires moral courage to confront uncomfortable truths and the collective will to bring about meaningful change.
Only then can the vision of 2047 move beyond aspiration and become a lived reality, one that commands not just attention but respect.
The time is to keep a stuff upper lip and toil hard to challenge the people and situations in responsibility without fear to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Dr. Martin Valiyaparambil is a Vincentian priest.