As 2025 draws to a close, a notable trend has emerged: despite India’s official designation as ‘Viksit’ (developed), many Indians continue to seek experiences abroad. Reports indicate travel to destinations like Turkey, Finland, and Machu Picchu remains popular, even as domestic challenges persist.
A Shift in Perspective
This phenomenon represents a shift from previous decades, when India’s comparatively limited infrastructure and economic status often motivated outward travel. The period between 2014 and 2025, marked by events such as demonetisation, lockdowns, and the implementation of the GST, is now viewed with a degree of nostalgia, framed as a period of collective resilience-building.
Testing Resilience
The year 2025 itself presented a series of challenges, including terror attacks, natural disasters like flash floods and avalanches, infrastructure failures, and even reported instances of war. This period is described as a “godsend” for building resilience, with exposure to misfortune seen as a key to personal development.
Personal accounts illustrate the anxieties of the time, including widespread concern over nuclear threats and the preparation of “Go Bags.” Even seemingly trivial matters, like disagreements over emergency food supplies – specifically, the removal of Mysore pak from a disaster kit – highlight the prioritization of survival.
Economic and Political Developments
Several economic and political events in 2025 further tested the nation’s fortitude. A $100,000 fee imposed by the United States on the HbA1c visa, used by Indian migrant workers, and the introduction of new labour codes allowing for longer working hours for lower pay, are cited as examples. The collapse of Indigo airlines also caused significant disruption, and the Election Commission’s requirement for additional proof of voter identity – specifically, great-grandfather’s Class X marksheets – added another layer of complexity.
The Repeal of MGNREGA
Perhaps the most significant development was the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a program providing a lifeline for millions of Indians. Despite this, the response was largely characterized by calm acceptance, mirroring a broader acceptance of political corruption, unfair elections, and the realities of oligarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘Viksit’?
According to the source, ‘Viksit’ is a term used to describe India’s official status as a developed nation, achieved in 2025.
What events are cited as tests of resilience?
The source lists terror attacks, flash floods, avalanches, bridge collapses, stampedes, floods, landslides, factory explosions, plane crashes, cyber fraud, extreme corruption, extreme deforestation, and war as events that tested the resilience of the Indian population in 2025.
What was the reaction to the repeal of MGNREGA?
The repeal of MGNREGA was met with “calm” acceptance by most Indians, described as consistent with a broader acceptance of systemic issues like corruption and unfair elections.
As India looks ahead to 2026, will this demonstrated resilience be sufficient to navigate future challenges, and what impact will it have on the nation’s trajectory?
Related reading