Passport status.

"The Henley Passport Index has released its 2024 ranking of the most powerful passports in the world, placing India at 82nd globally. This ranking allows Indian passport holders to travel to 58 countries without the need for a visa." "In 2014, India held the 76th position, granting access to 52 countries." BT. "There are 195 countries in the world. The total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy Sea and the state of Palestine." Worldometer. Why is India in such a lowly position when, "India's economy is estimated to have grown by 8.2% in 2023-24, led by a solid expansion in manufacturing and construction sectors, and a strong push from Jan-March quarter growth." TOI. Also, India is now the world's fifth largest economy, above the UK and France  (Forbes), and yet the UK passport is ranked 4th with visa-free travel to 191 destinations (visaindex.com). The French passport is ranked 3rd with visa-free travel to 192 countries. So, why the bias against India? Because, poverty is so extensive that the government announced free food grains to 813.5 million people for five years, starting on 1 January 2024. pib.gov.in. While only 3.2% of Indians were counted as unemployed in 2022-23, only 24% of women and 74% of men over the age of 15 years were either working or seeking employment. In Jan-Mar 2024, 4.3% of employed men and 12.6% of employed women were working as unpaid helpers and counted as employed. ET. No other country in the world counts unpaid work as employment. This has resulted in a large number of Indians seeking work abroad, even under slave-like conditions. In recent months 45 Indians have been burnt to death in Kuwait as they were locked in, two were killed fighting for the Russian Army in Ukraine and a farm laborer, Satnam Singh, who severed one arm in an accident, was left to die by the roadside by his employer in Italy. TNIE. "The reality of Indian joblessness, which has set in motion the huge numbers migrating illegally, is set to collide with the hyped narrative of India as the next economic superpower." There are at least 725,000 Indians living illegally in the US alone. scroll.in. Problems start with birth. While 94% of children are enrolled in primary education, 86% are in lower secondary education and only 51% complete secondary level. TOI. Being enrolled in school does not mean students are learning anything. "A top official of the FPSB India (Financial Planning Standards Board)...said India is facing the issue of unemployability in the financial services sector because there were no takers of nearly 1.8 million jobs last year." ET. Most alarming for foreigners, "Yet another bridge collapsed in Bihar...the 15th in the state within one month." "The bridge was constructed by the rural works department in 2008-09 and last renovated in 2020-21." TOI. Not surprising that Indians are not wanted. India may become the third largest economy with a GDP of $5 trillion by 2027 (Mint). Our rulers will be welcome abroad for trade. They may think they are great. But the Indian passport is the real status.