Inclusive economic growth is central to development: Venkaiah Naidu

Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu said that  reducing poverty and economic disparities and working for a hungerless, peaceful and happy world should be our motto.

Venkaiah Naidu, who was the Chief guest at the Entrepreneurs” Organisation Global University conference here today, said that the we are focussing more on creating jobs ,than seeking jobs. He said that to achieve Sustainable Development goals, inequalities in opportunities must be removed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the mantra – “reform, perform and transform” to foster faster development, Naidu said. He further said that inclusive economic growth is central to development.

The Vice President said that ‘Skill India’, ‘Start up India’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives will nurture entrepreneurship in the country. There will be no red tape, only red carpet, for investors, he said in a lighter vein. He said that both demonetisation and implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) would augur well for the country in future. These revolutionary steps would bring more revenue for the government, which can be spent on welfare programmes, he added.

Venkaiah Naidu said that LPG- Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation are the order of the day. He exhorted the youth to work with courage, competence, confidence and commitment.

The theme of this conference is ‘Jugaad’ or what we can call ‘improvisation’. In this context, the Vice President said that we have to create more opportunities with the scarce resources. He dwelt upon certain examples. Among them he cited about the building of the ‘Rama Setu’ by Sri Rama to cross over to Lanka. He also mentioned the design of the Nano car, the Dabbawallahs of Mumbai who deliver 2 lakh lunch boxes daily and Sonam Wangchuck’s ice stupas or artificial glaciers in Ladakh that provide water to farmers when they need it most.

Even the financial sector has seen innovation. Just three years ago, there were only 15 million bank accounts in a country of 1.2 billion people. The country wanted a change and today more than 50 million people are now connected and part of the modern financial system. How did it happen? It was again a ‘Jugaad,’ backed by a very small and noble thought that “if people won’t come to banks then let banks go to the people” Venkaiah Naidu said.

IT Minister K. Tarakarama  Rao also spoke at the event. Dr. Luis Chasi, Director, Entrepreneurs Organizations Hyderabad Global University welcomed guests. (INN)