Lodha Genius Programme Event Showcases Student Visions For India@2047
Mumbai: 17 of India's brightest young minds, aged between 14 and 18, gathered in Mumbai on March 26, 2025, for a constructive discussion on India's future in 2047, the centenary of independence. The event, organised at the World Towers, marked a shift in the ongoing India@2047 narrative since it transferred the future to people who would mould it.
Students from a variety of backgrounds shared their ideas for a developed, inclusive, and innovative India at the event, which was organised under the Lodha Genius Programme, a multi-year educational project jointly managed by Ashoka University and the Lodha Foundation.
A Platform for visionaries of tomorrow
Policymakers, businesspeople, and bureaucrats have historically dominated discussions about India@2047; by that time, many of them may be retired or very old. In contrast, this gathering spotlighted the voices of youth who are still in school but already dreaming big.
The Lodha Foundation founder and managing director and CEO of Macrotech Developers, Abhishek Lodha, was hopeful about this change of generation.
Lodha said, "The Lodha Foundation aims to make a substantial contribution towards the vision of India as a developed nation by 2047 by working in close association with the most talented youth of our nation."
The phrase "developed nation status" means a nation's high ranking on three significant measures: GDP per capita, life satisfaction and happiness ratings, and environmental performance rating. This integrated vision stems from the roots of Indian ethos of 'Parokar Parmo Dharma'—the duty to serve others is the ultimate dharma.
Voices of Change
Every student brought a different point of view, rooted in their own experience and ambition. Anshveer Bindra, a member of the 2024 class, saw India spearheading scientific advances globally.
“By 2047, I envision an India that is not merely participating in global scientific discourse but leading it... Science today is often viewed through the lens of utility, but the most revolutionary discoveries stemmed from pure curiosity,” he said.
“India has a chance to take a different path. If we choose to fund curiosity-driven research, we will not just catch up—we will surpass global leaders.”
Alethia Rodrigues, who has participated in the program for two years in a row, envisions a revolution in education and domestic technological superiority.
“By 2047, I imagine an India where we’re not just launching satellites but leading deep-space exploration missions... I believe India must become an educational hub, where students don’t go abroad for opportunities but are instead looked to for expertise,” she said.
“Programmes like Lodha Genius should be embedded within the school system so that their benefits reach every student.”
For Yaadvi Chopra, social equity and sustainable entrepreneurship will define India's progress.
“By 2047, India will have reduced poverty by half and become a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship... With skill development and strong industry-government collaboration, we will not only retain talent but also attract global minds,” she predicted.
Meanwhile, Yash Varshney highlighted the emotional and intellectual evolution of future citizens.
“I want to see an India that is prosperous, self-reliant, and empathetic. Enlightened classrooms must go beyond textbooks and foster critical thinking and emotional intelligence,” he said.
“My dream is an India where growth and technology are aligned with human-centered values. Leadership, to me, must be rooted in empathy.”
The Programme behind the mission
The Lodha Genius Programme, fully funded by the Lodha Foundation, aims to nurture India’s most gifted students from Grade 9 to early career stages. It offers a mix of science and math curricula, life skills training, mentorship, and access to top internships. Over the past three years, the programme has impacted more than 200 students across India.
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