Ultra-processed foods and screen time are dangers to demographic dividend: CEA V Anantha Nageswaran

Besides capital and energy needs, Nageswaran also underscored the need to build trust.

Ultra-processed foods combined with screen time are the biggest risk to India’s demographic dividend, chief economic advisor, V Anantha Nageswaran noted at the CII Annual General Meeting on May 29.

Commenting on the increasing trend of brand leveraging celebrity endorsement to push for ultra-processed foods, CEA reminded the industry that their corporate social responsibility extends beyond just giving 2 percent of profits to CSR funds.

He highlighted the role of the private sector in ensuring healthy lifestyles

“We need to think seriously about what we are offering youth,” the CEA noted.

Besides focusing on the demographic dividend, the CEA’s keynote address also focused on the mid-term challenges faced by India as it charts the path to Viksit Bharat.

“We are in an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment, where not just policy but judicial reactions keep changing,” said Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran.

But the CEA was also hopeful that India stands to gain in certain sectors regardless of the way tariffs turn.

“India has silver linings: energy prices are much lower, regardless of how tariffs play out. India will enjoy an advantage and monetary policy has become less unfavourable for growth this year,” the CEA noted.

Besides capital and energy needs, Nageswaran also underscored the need to build trust.

“Key question apart from energy security and capital allocation is how to engender trust in society. We don't discuss these kinds of questions often,” the CEA said.

The CEA reposed faith in the economy growing 6.3-6.8 percent this year and sustaining that rate for the next few years.