Why India Needs a Surge in Water and Power, Not Savings

Breaking Free from 'Just Enough': Why Our Future Depends on Abundance-Plus Thinking

In India, there’s a quiet confidence that we’re doing well—maybe even well enough. We’ve moved from the days of chronic blackouts and bone-dry taps to the here and now, where many of us have just enough electricity and water. But that, right there, is where the trap lies: just enough.

Yet, a closer look reveals a question that few are asking. What if “just enough” isn’t enough at all?

For India, water and power abundance are more than just modern conveniences. They’re the foundations of the future we want to build. We don’t just need a reliable trickle; we need a roaring surge that doesn’t even pause to blink.

Part 1: Water Isn’t a Luxury—it’s a Lifeline

When it comes to water, we’re still in a conservation mindset. Save, ration, cut back. It’s as though we’re asking people to ration the air they breathe. The truth is, if water were available in true abundance, “conservation” wouldn’t be forced; it would be voluntary. Imagine if every household in India, every single home, had a steady flow of clean, drinkable, and usable water 24/7.

Take Singapore, for example. They don’t sit around talking about water shortages. Their national infrastructure doesn’t just meet their needs; it anticipates future demands, building towards a level of availability that doesn’t even have to ask the question, “Is there enough?”

Now picture India with the same level of planning and investment. Imagine a time when every child grows up knowing water scarcity as something in history books, not something they live through.

Part 2: Power to the People—and to the Future

If water is foundational, power is the spark that fuels everything around us. Today, electricity is woven into the fabric of life and work, from rural villages lighting homes to data centers powering the internet of tomorrow. And yet, here we are, planning around shortages and backups instead of pushing for abundance.

Enter the future of AI, blockchain, autonomous technologies, and yes, those booming GPU clusters. Every one of these industries needs vast and constant power—a level of power that demands more than we’re currently producing. If India wants to lead in AI, we don’t just need incremental increases; we need a supply that’s exponentially greater. This isn’t just about keeping the lights on. It’s about building a foundation for an AI-powered economy, where data centers and tech hubs flourish without ever hitting “pause” due to power cuts.

Here’s the quiet revolution: nuclear energy. The U.S. and China have already committed to modern nuclear plants, both large and micro-sized, to meet their growing power demands sustainably and at scale. India has a choice: treat nuclear as a game-changer or let it remain the unspoken solution in a conversation about abundance.

From Deficit to Surplus: The Singapore Lesson

Let’s circle back to Singapore. With a minuscule footprint and limited resources, Singapore ensures an abundance of power with zero downtime. They plan for 120% of demand, building a safety net around growth and resilience. That’s not luck; it’s smart planning. Singapore’s abundance lets them focus on innovation instead of restriction.

Imagine India taking this approach. With our scale and potential, we could achieve a “surge capacity” that doesn’t just meet demand but anticipates growth, fueling industries, cities, and communities without limitation. Why should our children inherit a future where we say, “Wait until there’s enough”? Instead, let’s gift them a future where they know nothing but abundance.

The Final Sprint: Racing Towards an Abundant India

India is at a crossroads. We can continue the “just enough” mindset, rationing what we have, or we can push for abundance-plus: a vision of water and power that meets future demands without asking us to skimp today. And in a world where every global power is scaling, abundance is our best path forward.

A future with abundant water and power isn’t just a lofty goal—it’s the foundation for a thriving, competitive India. Let’s build a country where there’s no talk of shortages, where innovation takes center stage, and where, instead of struggling to keep up, we lead.