The perceived loss of more than five million jobs in India over the last few years has been discussed threadbare. Accusations against the government include obscuring of employment data, an imperfect goods and services tax scheme and its messy implementation and demonetisation leading to job losses. The government has countered by highlighting the 'Make in India' initiative, high GDP growth, financial systems revamp and the spike in demand in vocations such as drivers for taxi aggregators. Apart from lack of precise data, this discourse suffers in quality due to skirting of some crucial issues. A more comprehensive and balanced view is overdue. Both GST and demonetisation are faulted more for sloppy implementation and excessive disruption rather than for the basic idea. Without doubt the handling was slipshod and amateurish. Some bitter pills are inevitable to emerge competitive at another level. Make in India started well but lost steam en route due to the onslaught of automation. With protectionism threatening the technology sector, India is running out of options. Discussions have centred largely on the SME sector and manufacturing. What about services Cab aggregators are flourishing but black-and-yellow and private cabs are disappearing. Bike taxi services have cut into auto trips. Mega organisations catering to home needs, with financial and logistical clout, are driving out small retailers, middlemen, labour and petty transporters. Farm mechanisation will release farm hands in droves and e-vehicles will truncate the auto component sector severely, further aggravating the job environment. Consolidation, improvisation and efficiency drives have impacted everyone from businessmen to barbers, and photo studios to food delivery. There is a churn in business methodology and processes that has job reduction as a common denominator and the pace of change will only accelerate. What will be the engine of development and jobs in such a scenario While existing efforts should continue, we must craft an obsolescence-proof strategy that leverages our strengths, has pan-India applicability, calls for low investments and training, and facilitates immediate job generation. Why not look at tourism more intensely?