Spiritual leader Sadhguru delivered a powerful message about India's demographic opportunity during a business leadership program in Coimbatore, warning that the country's youthful population could either become its greatest asset or its biggest liability depending on how it's nurtured.
Time-Sensitive Demographic Advantage
Sadhguru emphasized that India's current demographic dividend has a strict time limit of approximately 25 years. He cautioned that what appears as a youthful nation today will transform into a nation with one billion elderly people if immediate action isn't taken. "India is buzzing like no other country. We have a youthful population and if you have a very focused, competent and inspired youth, this will be the greatest miracle that the world has ever seen," he stated during his address at INSIGHT: The DNA of Success program.
The event, hosted by Sadhguru Academy at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore from November 27 to 30, attracted more than 200 participants from over 20 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore.
Education Reform and Financial Barriers
Sadhguru identified several critical areas needing immediate attention to harness India's youth potential. He strongly criticized the current education system's excessive regulation and emphasis on certificates over competence. "This is an idea, which is only approximately hundred years old, that with a certificate, doors will open. Never before in the history of this world, a door would open because you have a paper in your hand," he remarked.
He predicted a global shift toward skill-based assessment, stating that in the next ten years, employers will prioritize competence over qualifications. For this transformation to occur, he urged the government to reduce its control over education and allow more flexible, dynamic learning systems that cater to different economic backgrounds.
Regarding financial support for entrepreneurs, Sadhguru noted that while access to finance has improved, it still operates through "coercion, corruption or influence" rather than confidence in business ideas. He emphasized that easier access to finance, combined with proper nourishment and education, could significantly accelerate India's growth trajectory.
Startup Ecosystem and Rural Development
Comparing startup environments, Sadhguru highlighted the stark difference between India and the United States. "If somebody falls down in the United States, they don't die because there is a net. Somebody is willing to refinance you immediately if they think your idea is good, but here, if you fall, you crack your skull," he explained.
He called for more maturity in the Indian startup ecosystem, emphasizing that judiciousness and competence need to complement enthusiasm to prevent devastating consequences for failed entrepreneurs. While acknowledging progress in rural India, he stressed that development must happen faster to transform current generations' lives.
Sadhguru framed entrepreneurship as an act of nation-building, encouraging participants to identify societal problems and develop solutions. He also urged regular engagement with policymakers, suggesting that concerned citizens should write at least one letter per month to contribute to national development.
