India, May 9 -- As we work toward Viksit Bharat@2047, investing in early childhood is not just ethical - it is essential for economic growth. India must now move beyond survival to ensure every child receives the cognitive care needed to thrive in the future economy, write Rajib Kumar Sen and Vedeika Shekhar

India has the largest and youngest working population, with 164.5 million children aged 0-6 years, constituting about 13.6 per cent of the total population. Our working-age population is estimated to reach around 1.12 billion - the single largest workforce of any country globally.

As these children represent the collective human capital of tomorrow, our quest for Viksit Bharat@2047 rides on the shoulders of these future adults. This...