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Advocating exchange of technologies amongst the countries for maximum productivity from minimum usage of natural resources, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that we have to use our resources in a manner that the same is available in equal or greater measure for the posterity. Unfortunately, the term ‘development' has become a limited concept. He also emphasized on a holistic view of human life and sustainable development.
Delivering the key note address on “Leadership in an Emerging Nation: Balancing Development and Economic Growth” organized by the European Business Group in Delhi yesterday, Shri Modi said that “Unto The Last” is the best guiding principle for balancing economic growth and development. However, we have mis-interpreted it to mean just ‘trickle down' of wealth and development. What we need is the models of development where people are not just beneficiaries, rather they are made equal partners in the process of development. People should be part of the development cycle in the beginning, not at the end.
Giving an example of his own Government, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that Gujarat's growth model is very different. Growth means active participation of people, Growth means mass movement, Growth is both robust and pervasive and quantitative and qualitative.
India has emerged is the buzz word all around the world today. However, to make India's emergence steady and sustainable, all States of the country have put up strong foundation. Shri Modi narrated that Gujarat represents the elements of such a strong foundation. Our fundamentals are strong. We are strong not in particular sector but all across the economic sectors. Gujarat's vibrancy can be felt not only in economic activities but also in social life.
Highlighting the achievements in rural, agriculture and industry sector, Shri Modi said that Gujarat has emerged as the Growth Engine of India not only because it contributes immensely in its economic growth but actually the bigger success is that it has an amazing mix of the big and small; robust and inclusive; fast and yet sustainable. Gujarat's growth rate of GDP has been double digits for a decade, similarly the people have also grown at the fastest rate of 13.8%. Not only multinationals and big companies have done well, but a large number of SMEs have also prospered. Not only the industry has grown at 13% but agriculture has also grown at 9.6%, he appraised.
He said if we want economic growth to be pervasive, make people its partners and work with environment. India has the power of new energy in the form of its youth and strength of its tradition in the form of its caring culture.
In order to give focus and to work in organized manner on climate change issues, Gujarat has taken a lot of measures in this direction and created full fledged separate department to handle various issues in this regard, Shri Modi appraised.
During his speech, Gujarat CM also outlined the achievement of the State Government which include Jyoti Gram Yojna, Chiranjeevi Yojna, excellent work in water harvesting and good governance etc.
In her welcome address, Ms Birthe Foster, Chairperson of EBG Delhi chapter lauded the achievements of Gujarat and praised the dynamic leadership.
Shri M. Sahu, Principal Secretary of Industries and Mines department of Gujarat Government made an impressive presentation on growth and achievement of State.
