A viral LinkedIn post by 80‑year‑old former IAS officer turned ex-IAS discusses the changing fortunes of India’s middle class, contrasting the calm stability of 1970 with today’s relentless hustle in 2025. His reflections echo earlier sentiments shared by entrepreneur Himanshu Kalra, igniting fresh debate online businesstoday.infacebook.com+7businesstoday.in+7hindustantimes.com+7.
🔹 Life in 1970: Stability, Simplicity, Security
- Education was straightforward: college, one skill, a secure job.
- Graduates could buy a house, get married, raise three kids, and retire with minimal stress.
- Life followed a predictable, linear path—education → work → family → retirement oneindia.com+4indiatoday.in+4linkedin.com+4.
🔹 Life in 2025: Competition, Complexity, Constant Pressure
- Entrance exams and inflation have escalated—you now compete with millions just for college entry.
- Many students graduate burdened with significant education loans.
- Skills lose value rapidly—you need to upskill every 2 years to stay relevant.
- Dual-income households are now the norm, even for raising just one child.
- Mental health often becomes a personal battle to manage without broader systemic support oneindia.com+3indiatoday.in+3ndtv.com+3oneindia.com+2ndtv.com+2hindustantimes.com+2hindustantimes.com.
🔹 Stark Irony & Social Media Response
The concluding remark—“But sure, the economy’s ‘booming.’”—struck a chord online oneindia.com+3indiatoday.in+3linkedin.com+3.
Social media reactions underscore mixed realities:
- One X user observed the double-edged nature of modern life: “Yes, there’s more opportunity today but there’s also more overwhelm. More choice, but less clarity… resilience has replaced stability as the modern currency.” hindustantimes.com+3indiatoday.in+3oneindia.com+3hindustantimes.com+1oneindia.com+1
- Others question whether nostalgia bleaches the truth—was the 1970s really so trouble-free? indiatoday.in+1oneindia.com+1.
🔹 Broader Takeaway
Economists and social commentators note that while India’s economy has grown, this hasn’t necessarily translated into improved personal well-being. Younger generations face a trade‑off: material growth comes with emotional and financial strain.
