Gen O, revolutionary for the Status Quo

India is currently obsessing about the chronological cohort represented by the last letter of the English alphabet as pronounced by Americans. But any news of Gen O, the demography defined by opacity, oblivion and okra ki sabzi? Alas, India is unlikely to see their power - or even their visible existence - any time soon. For one thing, Gen O is too busy trying to catch up with Gen Z code and vibes. Well-versed in understanding the semiotic value behind emojis like 'alien face' + 'eggplant', Gen O is raring to go. But they won't. Because while they're getting the hang of bhajan clubbing, kirtan jamming and qawwali Fridays, most of the other stuff remains skibidi for them.

Gen O's fondness for 'safe spaces' doesn't help them to stand out - or, rather, help them to blend into the bling wallpaper. Gen O may have vague notions of dismantling patriarchy. But after a brief look around, it usually figures out that it is the patriarchy. Economically, too, their power is spectral. They aspire to 'quiet quitting' in a country where most jobs are quiet, and quitting is something people of their generation still try to do with oil, sugar and pan masala. In short, Gen O is India's most stylishly invisible generation: slouching tiger, doing-as-is-bidden dragon, and is destined to be remembered not for changing the nation but for maintaining status O.