‘We need a renaissance, not just reform’: Viral post triggers debate on India’s civic breakdown

A thought-provoking post titled “India needs a renaissance” struck a chord on Reddit, sparking a widespread debate among users about the state of India’s moral, civic and intellectual fabric. The publication reflects a growing sentiment among citizens who believe that the challenges facing the country go much deeper than politics or governance – extending to the nation’s social and moral core.

“I have traveled across India and abroad and realized that our problems are not just about bad governance,” the original poster wrote. “The roots go much deeper than that. India needs a renaissance – a complete awakening of thought, conscience and purpose.”

The author argues that India’s decline lies in the erosion of intellectual curiosity, civic discipline, and moral strength – traits that once defined its golden ages of knowledge and innovation. “Our education system teaches us how to earn a living, but not how to live meaningfully. Questioning and creativity are not encouraged, and compliance is rewarded,” the post read.

The author also criticized India’s increasing tolerance of corruption and deteriorating civic sense. “We demand change but we rarely take responsibility for it. Corruption is not only tolerated, but socially acceptable,” they noted, adding that even faith – which aims to unite – is now often used to divide through “fear and hatred.”

The post quickly gained traction, attracting hundreds of comments from users who echoed the sentiment. One user wrote: “We lack enlightened leaders and moral role models. People look to the powerful and the wealthy, not the principled or the visionary. A true revival may only come after a national collapse – when people realize the futility of the current system.”

Another user lamented the lack of civic engagement, especially in urban India. “I stayed in India a decade ago instead of going abroad, and I regret it — not for financial reasons but because of deteriorating quality of life and safety,” they wrote. “Even when citizens want to act, they don’t know where to start. Look at the infrastructure chaos in Bangalore — protests happen, but people don’t know about them until they’re over.”

Despite the pessimism, a few users held out hope that the younger generation could lead change through education, technology and teamwork. One comment said: “If renaissance is to happen, it must begin in the minds of young people – with the courage to question, think and act beyond personal gain.”

The discussion has since become one of the most engaged civic threads on the subreddit this month, with users debating whether India’s revival can come through reform, leadership, or popular awakening.