The Hon’ble Finance Minister would right now be busy constructing the Budget for 2023-24. While she does so, there are several macro-economic factors that she would be considering. Even though Covid-19 seems to be a distant memory now, the impact it had on the Global economy is still playing out. Almost all Central Banks are tightening the monetary policy to combat inflation. This is resulting in a worldwide slowdown, with many of the large economies expected to get into a recession.

While one can have philosophical answers that people should make a career in what interests them, these interests in many ways are influenced by the social perceptions, current industry scenario and prospects.

Let’s zoom in on careers in Civil Engineering and Information Technology, and the way the two segments are commonly perceived. The IT sector is generally perceived as Brand India’s beacon of light. Aspiring IT professionals dream of smart clothes, high-tech computers, and keying in programming codes from the comfort of office cubicles, or post-Covid, the comfort of home.

I found it interesting to read that Amazon India’s centre in Kadi, Gujarat, has no men. It’s an all-women station. A one-off? Not quite. Last year, Zomato announced it would increase the number of women in its delivery service to 10% as part of the company’s inclusive programme. It’s heartening to find that e-commerce firms are taking initiatives to build a culture of inclusivity, but is it limited to few sectors?

India – the world’s largest democracy, recently cruised ahead of the United Kingdom in terms of GDP, as it crossed US $3.5 trillion. China reached this economy size 15 years back, when it also crossed Germany to become the third largest economy in 2007. During the intervening period of Chinese Juggernaut running full steam, several global scale construction companies have emerged from China. In 2007, there were only 4 Chinese companies among top 20 global EPC contractors. Fifteen years later, the count for China is 15. There is no Indian company in the top 20.

Step into a realm where architectural splendour meets the aspirations of a progressive India. In the heart of New Delhi, Tata Projects Limited (TPL) proudly presents the architectural marvel of the New Parliament Building. As a part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, this state-of-the-art edifice stands tall as a symbol of our rich cultural heritage and embodies the spirit of modern India.

The story goes about an Indian soldier who sacrificed his life in the line of duty. His army comrades found a scrap of pale-yellow paper in his pocket. The crumpled note had warm words written about him by his classmates, possibly as part of a school-bonding activity. But for the young boy, it was a life-altering experience that stayed with him till his last breath.

The soldier and many unheralded heroes are offshoots of a sound educational system that cultivates minds towards social, national and spiritual development.

India has led the technology space

Since time immemorial, India has been surprising the world with its engineering marvels. Be it with the world-famous Kailasa temple at Ellora Caves -a Reverse Engineering 8th century marvel which was chiseled using the top-down approach or the paradise on earth – the Taj Mahal or the hanging pillar temples at Lepakshi or Moodbidri.