June 2025

“To truly become a developed nation by 2047, India must cultivate a robust talent pool capable of supporting rapid industrial growth, driving indigenous research, and consistently delivering excellence at global standards.”

— Smita Agarwal

Smita Agarwal is the Director & CFO, PTC Industries and Past Chairperson, CII Uttar Pradesh and Past National Chair at Young Indians (Yi). In this article she stresses on the need to evolve skilling so that India can create a talent pool capable of catalysing and sustaining rapid industrial growth.

As we mark another World Youth Skills Day, it’s worth reminding ourselves that skilling is not just an employment issue – it is a nation-building strategy. For a country like India, young in age but ambitious in intent, the promise of demographic dividend can only be realised through deep and deliberate investment in human capability.

The urgency is unmistakable. As India positions itself as a global hub for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defence, and high-end engineering, the single most decisive factor will be the capability of its people. Competing on the world stage demands not only technical skills but also the ability to innovate, adapt, and lead. To truly become a developed nation by 2047, India must cultivate a robust talent pool that can support rapid industrial growth, drive indigenous research, and deliver excellence at global standards. Skilling, therefore, is not a peripheral concern – it is the foundation on which a thriving, resilient, and future-ready economy must be built.

This urgency is heightened by the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence. As AI reshapes business models and workflows, the very nature of jobs is changing. Roles once defined by repetition are being automated, while new roles are emerging that require critical thinking, adaptability, and digital fluency. Skilling efforts must now prepare individuals not only to operate machines, but to collaborate with intelligent systems – enhancing productivity, creativity, and decision-making in an increasingly tech-driven workplace.

As we envision India@2047 – a developed, self-reliant, and globally competitive nation – our approach to skilling must evolve. It is no longer enough to train large numbers. We must build depth, pride, and performance into every layer of our skilling architecture. Based on years of experience working in industry, here are five critical focus areas we must address:

India’s manufacturing future demands deep skilling, not just mass skilling

Much of our national skilling discourse still revolves around scale. But true transformation will come from depth. As India takes bold steps towards leadership in sectors like aerospace, defence, electronics, and high-end manufacturing, the nature of skills required is changing. These sectors demand exceptional precision, domain expertise, and adherence to global quality standards.

Government programmes such as the Skill India Mission, the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) have provided a strong foundation. But to meet the future, we need sharper alignment between national skilling efforts and the competencies required in strategic industries. Advanced materials, digital manufacturing, metallurgy, and process automation are not peripheral – they are central. And training must reflect that.

Bridging the readiness gap between education and industry

A recurring challenge faced by employers across sectors is the limited industry-readiness of graduates. This is not about intelligence or intent, it is about exposure. Theoretical learning, while necessary, does not equip young professionals to perform in high-performance industrial environments.

What’s required is a three-part shift:
• Simulation-based learning to safely introduce complexity
• Mentorship and buddy systems to transfer real-world know-how
• Task-based responsibility to develop ownership and discipline

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and frameworks like the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) are critical in enabling this transformation. But industry participation must go beyond advisory roles. It must include co-creating curriculum, sharing infrastructure, and offering meaningful apprenticeships, not just as CSR, but as long-term investment.

Functional and cognitive skills: The often-missing link

Technical competence is only one side of the skilling equation. Often overlooked, but equally important, are the functional and cognitive skills that influence real-world performance, especially in manufacturing.

Time discipline, attention to detail, process adherence, and situational problem-solving are crucial on the shop floor. In high-performing economies like Japan, Germany, or even China, these attributes are ingrained early and reinforced culturally. In India, however, these skills are often not formally taught nor institutionally assessed. The result is not just performance gaps, but mindset gaps.

It is time we integrate these soft but strategic skills into all skilling programs. Structured training on workplace behaviour, teamwork, quality culture, and decision-making must become non-negotiable. Only then can we expect our workforce to consistently deliver world-class outcomes.

Making skilling aspirational and inclusive

One of the most persistent challenges in Indian skilling is perception. Vocational education is still seen by many as a second-best option – a fallback. This narrative must change if we are to attract bright young minds into technical trades.

Apprenticeships with reputed organisations, modular upskilling pathways, and transparent progression tracks are key to reversing this perception. Employers must visibly endorse and reward skill. Governments and media must showcase stories of pride and progress in vocational journeys.

The idea of ‘respectable employment’ needs to evolve. A skilled CNC operator, welder, or metallurgist should command as much societal respect as a software engineer. And for that, we must make skilled excellence visible, aspirational, and rewarding.

Women in Industry: Unlocking India’s hidden engine

No conversation on skilling can be complete without addressing the gender divide. Women are significantly underrepresented in industrial roles – not for lack of capability, but due to systemic, cultural, and infrastructural barriers.

We must proactively create enabling conditions:

• Safe and accessible training environments
• Targeted skilling programs for women in core sectors
• Mentorship, role models, and support systems to build confidence and continuity

Bringing women into mainstream manufacturing and technical roles is not just a matter of equity, it is smart economics. If India is to double its workforce productivity and global competitiveness, it cannot afford to leave half its talent pool untapped.

Let us remember that behind every leap in industrial growth, there is a skilled human being. If India is to soar by 2047, we must ensure that its youth have the wings – and the training – to fly.

CHANGESPEAKE is a series of conversations featuring individuals who, through their beliefs and passion, are shaping the contours of an inclusively developed India@100. We hope the series will motivate others to emulate these best practices and also build their ability to open new frontiers for the country. Doing so will help accelerate change and build the momentum that India needs to reach its ambitious goals for 2047.

— Dr. Binish Desai, Founder, ReArtham Tech LLP, B-Dream Labs (now Eco Eclectic Tech), Eureka Eco Innovations LLC, USA; CEO, NuoTerra Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

Dr. Binish Desai is a highly accomplished social entrepreneur and innovator who has made significant contributions to the field of environmental engineering and waste management. Often referred to as the Recycle Man, Dr. Desai founded his first company in 2010, when he was just 16 years old. Today he has more than 20 IPs and 144 inventions to his credit. In this conversation with India@100 Dr. Desai speaks of his journey, India's potential to be the hub of green solutions and his vision for the country by 2047. 

You’ve had an innovative bent of mind at early age of 11 – when you started with turning chewing gum into bricks. Can you take us back to that moment — what sparked your journey into waste innovation, and how did it shape your purpose early on?

Way before a piece of chewing gum got stuck to my pants, Captain Planet and Dexter’s Laboratory were my favourite cartoons. I always dreamt of having my own Dexter’s lab and helping my superhero, Captain Planet. That curiosity is what first sparked my interest in innovation.

In fact, my first invention came at the age of 10; I designed a machine that could convert water vapour from the kitchen into water for gardening, inspired by what I had just learned about evaporation and condensation.

Later, when I began working with paper mill waste, I realised just how many different types of waste were being generated without viable solutions. That insight pushed me to create my own lab focused on transforming various types of waste into ecological, economic, and socially impactful innovations.

Over the years, my experience working on projects in rural communities and collaborating with industries seeking sustainable solutions has helped me develop a more customised and unique approach to tackling waste-related challenges and help achieve closed loop solutions.

You are popularly known as the “Recycle Man of India.” What does that title mean to you in the broader context of India’s journey toward a circular economy?

Every title comes with a responsibility, and I’ve always tried to live up to the one given to me. Being called the “Recycle Man of India” is not just an honour; it’s a constant reminder of my duty to work on waste challenges that align with India’s vision for the world.

India has always had a deep-rooted culture of recycling, up-cycling, reusing, and repairing. I truly believe that India can lead the global movement towards a circular economy by drawing inspiration from our traditions, building technology locally, and offering those solutions globally. Through my work, I strive to contribute to this vision; by creating proudly made-in-India innovations that tackle global environmental challenges.

As someone working closely at the intersection of innovation and impact, what role do you see policy and governance playing in enabling green entrepreneurship at the grassroots level?

Government policymaking plays a pivotal role in enabling ecopreneurs. Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Startup India have laid the foundation, but the real impact lies in integrating sustainability as a core focus across all policy verticals.

With initiatives like LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Carbon Credit Program, the government is creating a strong push that will definitely encourage more people to engage in sustainable innovation.

To truly empower green entrepreneurship at the grassroots, we need inclusive frameworks that promote circular economy solutions, provide easier access to funding and infrastructure, and simplify compliance for eco-innovators. With the right policy support, local innovations can scale into global solutions; driving both environmental and economic progress.

Dr. Desai has created Ecowood using the Lantana Camara weed (right)

The term “Wastepreneurs” is gaining momentum. What role do you believe this new wave of entrepreneurs will play in shaping a sustainable and inclusive India@100?

I see this as a significant milestone. When I began my journey, waste was seen as a taboo; and today, seeing it become a trend and a recognised term is a powerful shift. Waste is no longer just a problem; it’s now a resource for innovation.

This new wave of entrepreneurs will be key to driving India’s transition towards a circular economy by creating scalable, low-cost, and socially inclusive solutions. While India does face a waste management challenge, our per capita waste generation is much lower than that of Western countries — and that gives

us a unique advantage if we act wisely. By turning local waste into economic opportunity, especially in rural and underserved areas, wastepreneurs will help build a sustainable and self-reliant India@100; one where impact and enterprise go hand in hand.

If we fast forward to 2047, the centenary of India’s independence –what kind of India do you envision: socially, environmentally, and economically?

By 2047, I envision an India that stands as a global leader in sustainability; not just environmentally, but socially and economically as well. Socially, I see an India where inclusivity is embedded in every system; where rural innovators, women, and marginalised communities are active drivers of progress, not just beneficiaries; where the rural economy is thriving and self-help groups have evolved into ‘micro social enterprises’; a dream we started with Eco Lights Studio, now the foundation of our brand Pushpam.

Environmentally, I dream of a nation where waste is no longer seen as a burden but as a raw material; powering a robust circular economy driven by indigenous innovation and traditional wisdom. An India where every village is self-sustaining and urban spaces are regenerative. Personally, it would be a dream to see viable solutions in place for all existing waste challenges; not just plastic, but other complex waste streams as well; and my lab (Reartham/NuoTerra) is actively working towards this vision.

Economically, I see “Made in India” representing more than just manufacturing; it will stand for globally respected solutions born from local challenges. India will be known not just for its scale, but for its leadership in sustainability; where green jobs, green technologies, and green mindsets define our growth.

We are proud to have created one such technology; a Made in India solution to tackle the coal GOB (Garbage of Bituminous) crisis in the USA, by converting this massive waste into construction material.

In short, an India@100 where purpose and progress go hand in hand; where development doesn’t come at the cost of our environment or our values. India will be truly sustainable in all parameters; Pariyavaran Stir Atmanirbhar.

You began young and built a path that didn’t exist. What advice would you give to young changemakers today who want to innovate in the climate and sustainability space but are unsure where to begin?

My first advice to everyone is this: Buy only what you need; not what you want.

Go back to our roots; I always say, Indian moms are the biggest up-cyclers in the world; so learn from them. Don't get greenwashed in a world where social media plays a huge role; ask the right questions. Just because something looks green doesn't necessarily mean it's sustainable; always do your research. I suggest a simple rule to follow:

• Observe – Observe a problem around you that needs attention. Fail – It is okay to fail; failure is the key to understanding how not to do something.
• Learn – Learn from your observations and failures.
• Solve – Collaborate; don’t compete; it’s the best way forward.

Then, assess yourself on three parameters; environmental, social, and economic impact. Only when there's a balance of all three can something be considered truly sustainable.

When people ask me what success means to me, I say: The day I have no more waste left to work on, research, or innovate with; in short, when I become workless; that’s when I’ll consider myself successful. And in this process, I need everyone to join hands to help make that happen. Also remember; recycling is just one path to the solution. The real solution lies in going back to nature; where waste doesn’t exist.

Finally, remember the 8 R’s of sustainability: Refuse; Reduce; Reuse; Repair; Repurpose; Recycle; Rot; and Rethink. Nothing is useless in this world what’s a waste to you is someone’s asset.

We are excited to announce the launch of the official India@100 website — www.indiaat100foundation.com. It is a single window for citizens, corporates, youth, NGOs, and governments to collaborate and co-create a just, inclusive, and thriving future for all. This website builds on the foundation laid by the India@75 movement and marks the next chapter in India’s journey toward its centennial in 2047. Join and be a part of this exciting journey. 

Inside the India@100 Website:

Journey from India@75 to India@100

Vision Documents

Flagship Initiatives

I Have a Dream – Fireside Chats

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