Bengaluru, Feb 10: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today said that the every Politician should raise above narrow, short term rhetoric as there are challenges that are impeding the country’s progress.
“I feel all the political parties, irrespective of who is in power, should agree on a common agenda when it comes to vital issues relating to the nation’s progress and security. For that to happen, every politician should rise above narrow, short term rhetoric”, he added.
Speaking at a event ‘The Huddle’ organized by reputed National Daily News paper ‘The Hindu’ here, he said that “while economic reforms have been backed by majority of the parties, I would like to appeal to all political parties to adopt politics of consensus on promoting inclusive growth; ending agrarian distress and making agriculture profitable; eradicating poverty and illiteracy. Empowering the deprived and weaker sections; ending gender and caste discrimination, fighting the menace of corruption, bridging urban-rural divide and protecting the unity and integrity of India”.
He said that unless these challenges are tackled on a war footing in a mission mode, the fruits of development will not reach every deserving section. Wiping every tear from every eye, as the Mahatma had said, should be the sole mission.
Reiterating that diversity of opinions is necessary for a vibrant and healthy democracy, the Vice President said that nobody has the right to create anarchy or chaotic conditions in complete disregard to the law of the land. Dissent is acceptable but not disintegration.
Referring to country’s economy, he said that “I am happy that our macro-economic fundamentals continue to remain strong with India emerging as an attractive investment destination. Recent forecasts by IMF and other global agencies have indicated a growth rate of 7.3 this fiscal and around 7.5 per cent in the following years. Even as the global economy is slowing down, India has emerged as the bright spot and this is the time for us to further consolidate our position on the global stage and ensure that the living standards of our people, particularly of the poor and downtrodden, improve further”.
He said that for a developing nation like India, the need of the hour is to sustain the momentum of economic growth and dovetail its efforts for increasing prosperity and wellbeing of the people. Making agriculture viable, improving farm income, bridging the urban-rural divide, eradicating poverty, tackling climate change, harnessing technology, empowering women and creating jobs are essential to sustain the growth momentum. Economic development has to be translated into human and social development.
Naidu said “we have a demographic advantage as 65 per cent of the population is below 35 years. However, the need of the hour is to effectively implement as well as supplement the Skill India program by imparting skills on a massive scale. The private sector must play a big role in this exercise by funding skilling initiatives as part of their CSR activities. India has no other alternative but to develop a highly skilled and semi-skilled human resource to be globally competitive”.
He said that India has immense potential to be in the forefront in the 4th Industrial Revolution and transform the country into an innovation hub. “We have to completely reorient our school and higher education systems in tune with the fast changing global scenario and equip our youngsters with the needed wherewithal to come out with futuristic inventions and innovations. While enabling holistic development of students with emphasis on excellence and creativity”, he added. (UNI)