The launch of #Forwardism, the latest book by renowned futurist Adjiedj Bakas, at the Dutch Embassy in New Delhi on July 1 brought together visionaries and thought leaders for a compelling exploration of the ideas shaping our collective future.
On a pleasant July afternoon in New Delhi, where heritage architecture meets modern diplomacy, an unusual kind of conversation took place—not about policy or protocol, but about the future. The occasion was the launch of #Forwardism – A Bold and Imaginative Voyage to the Future, visionary new book by acclaimed futurist Adjiedj Bakas, co-authored with his late husband and renowned geopolitical thinker Vinco David. The venue: the historic former residence of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, now home to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
What began as a book event soon transformed into an immersive experience—part thought-leadership forum, part philosophical reflection—hosted with grace by H.E. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India. Also present were L.S. Bahl, President of the Indo-Dutch Chambers of Business & Sciences, Ramashray Yadav, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Integrow Asset Management, Gaurav Gautam, CEO, Public Relations and Advocacy Group, and Rao Narender Yadav, Director, African Centre of India, along with guests from the business, media and cultural fraternity.
The Art of Looking Forward
Adjiedj Bakas, charismatic and razor-sharp presentation, offered a sweeping view of the book’s core premise: we are not in an era of mere change, but in the eye of what he calls “The Perfect Storm”—a vortex of climate emergencies, technological leaps, ideological fractures, and cultural reorientations. Yet, rather than succumb to dystopian fears, #Forwardism advocates for an imaginative, values-driven response.
Through engaging visuals and grounded anecdotes, Bakas walked the audience through some of the book’s key megatrends: artificial intelligence, digital economies, demographic realignment, neuro-tech breakthroughs, and the redefinition of love and governance in a post-industrial age. He painted the future not as a linear projection, but as a mosaic—one filled with both disruption and opportunity.
India in the Eye of the Storm—and the Solution
One of the most striking aspects of the presentation was its focus on India’s unique positioning. Bakas emphasized India’s role as a values-based innovator capable of leading in global conversations on sustainable tech, ethical capitalism, and social innovation. The idea of “Karma Capitalism”—blending purpose with profit—struck a particular chord with the diverse gathering of entrepreneurs, academics, diplomats, and creatives.
The book envisions India leapfrogging traditional development models by leveraging AI for education and healthcare, upskilling its workforce, investing in clean energy, and embracing its agricultural and spiritual heritage to model a new economic paradigm.
A Book That Reads Like a Global Compass
#Forwardism is structured into five bold sections. From dissecting current geopolitical chaos in “The Perfect Storm” to proposing philosophical interventions in “Bold Choices,” it combines futurist thought with humanist inquiry. Ideas like building artificial islands off coastlines to manage rising seas, or creating “Happy Economies” grounded in wellbeing rather than GDP, are offered not as fantasy—but as provocations for urgent rethinking.
In his foreword, Bernd Scholtz, Head of the Economic Department at the Dutch Embassy, captured the book’s essence perfectly:
“The authors focus on what is possible, not just probable. Their approach is imaginative but grounded, and their vision for a future built on happiness and harmony resonates with both Dutch innovation and Indian philosophy.”
An Evening of Connection and Curiosity
As the sun set behind the embassy gardens and conversations spilled into the evening, the event left attendees not with answers, but with invigorating questions: What kind of future are we building? And more importantly, who gets to build it?
More than just a book launch, the evening offered a glimpse into a world yet to be born—and a reminder that imagination, guided by values, may be the most powerful tool we have.