India of my dreams descends from the India that our forefathers had dreamt of and is at the same time bastioned with the most modern and futuristic conceptions in its incumbents and inhabitants. It will not only be a self adequate nation but will also strive to alleviate the inadequate sections of the world community in their attempt against poverty. A country that will not only have well defended borders and cordial international relations but also be a torchbearer of world peace and disarmament. India of my dreams will be a nonpareil example of social justice and religious tolerance. It will be mounted on a growth that is both faster and inclusive. I dream of a nation whose peoples are healthy and educated having most rational behavior. It will make huge strides in scientific and technological development, a development that is most sustainable and not on the cost of our environment and natural resources.
As an inhabitant when I dream of my country’s future the dreams are more likely enterprising rather than fantastical hence when I subconsciously proceed to the India of my dreams, I foresee a transition in each of the sectors which are the determinants of the progress and vitality of India.
Agriculture provides the principal means of livelihood for over 58.4 per cent of India's population contributing approximately one-fifth of total GDP. Agriculture accounts for about 10 per cent of the total export earnings and provides raw material to a large number of industries. In other words, agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian economy and society. However, low and volatile agrarian growth rates are a threat not only to national food security, but also to the economic well-being of the nation as a whole. We aspire of achieving food security & rapid growth and development through optimum utilization of country’s land, water, soil and plant resources. Progressive and developmental planning coupled with accelerated research to beef up productivity will lead us to the level of excellence that I dream of.
India is a nation with over 300 million poor people, a number that has barely declined over the last three decades of development. It is therefore essential to address the task of reducing the numbers of the poor frontally. Effective poverty alleviation can’t be achieved until we wipe out subnormality from our parameters of rural development. I dream of India that is a welfare state in its true sense with decentralization of planning, better enforcement of land reforms and greater access to credit for the rural community. The attainment of Panchayati Raj, in letter and spirit, will realize Gandhiji’s image of ‘village republics’.
Industrial growth and flourishing foreign trade of a developing country is known to be the paradigm of its march towards a developed nation. India of my dreams will be a major industrial partner and player in the global arena. A developed India will have a number of prospering industrial zones on the lines of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) that will trigger a large flow of foreign and domestic investment, in infrastructure and productive capacity, leading to generation of additional economic activity and creation of employment opportunities. India’s industrial policy will be an engine for economic growth supported by quality infrastructure complemented by an attractive fiscal package, with the minimum possible regulations.
A layman appraises the growth and worth of a nation by the infrastructure that is held on its land. Physical infrastructure is indeed an attribute of the country’s assets and standards. I look forward to a country which has world class infrastructure, delivering services matching international standards. Infrastructure development, such as industrial and mining infrastructure, highways, roads, ports, railways, airports, power systems, irrigation and agriculture systems, telecommunication systems, hospitals, schools, townships, offices, houses and other buildings; urban infrastructure, including water supply, sewerage, and drainage, and rural infrastructure will provide the basic stimulus to socioeconomic development. The carrying out of infrastructural activity will bring about numerous organized and un-organized employment opportunities. An efficient mechanism for Public Private Partnership(PPP) and Foreign Direct Investment(FDIs) will not only provide the much needed capital for bridging the infrastructure deficit, it would also help to lower costs and improve efficiency in a competitive environment.
India’s aspirations have been marred by insurgencies, terrorism and other outside pressures, particularly in border-states which are brought to bear on the country’s economy and technological progress from time to time. A nation with this type of environment calls for a highly focused national security policy and strategy. India aims at promoting and sustaining durable peace in the subcontinent and equipping its defence forces adequately to safeguard against aggression. Technology superiority is increasingly going to be the decisive factor in future battles. India of the future will have an enviable defence technology R&D. Our intelligence services will deter any defying act of perpetrators. Though we would have honed our nuclear and air arsenal we will function as agents of peace for the world and especially for the South Asian region.
Assuring a minimal level of health care to the population is a critical constituent of the development process. Nutrition, particularly of the infant and the young child, is the focal point of health and well-being. It is directly linked to human resource development, productivity and ultimately to the national growth. We will transform our public health, especially in remote rural regions into an accountable, accessible, and affordable system of quality services. Our objectives vis-à-vis health and nutrition should be derived by the Millennium Development
Goals adopted by The United Nations:
i. Reduce by two-thirds the under-five mortality rate.
ii. Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio.
iii. Achieve universal access to reproductive health.
iv. Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and the incidence of other major diseases.
v. Halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
The role of education and employment in facilitating social and economic progress is well recognized. Education, in its broadest sense of development of youth, is the most crucial input for empowering people with skills and knowledge and giving them access to productive employment in future. I dream of a country where the goal of Universilization of Elementary Education (UEE) will be met without systemic deficiencies and implementation loopholes. We will generate comparable employment opportunities simultaneous to growth rate of our labour force so that our human resources, infrastructure and industry can deliver a symbiotic growth.
Inclusive growth demands that all social groups have equal access to the services provided by the State and equal opportunity for upward economic and social mobility. In India, certain social groups such as the SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities have historically been disadvantaged and vulnerable. Then there are persons with disabilities, older persons, street children, beggars and victims of substance abuse which may be discriminated against and which suffer from handicaps. For growth to be truly inclusive, their protection, wellbeing, development, empowerment and participation will be ensured. India of my dreams will be free from the shackles of any kind of invidious policy or behavior. The relatively disadvantaged sections of the society will be uplifted not through donative measures and unearned incentives such as reservations in education and employment. Rather, a complete gyration will be achieved when they will be facilitated access to skill development and financial inclusion which makes them self sustaining in the long run. The women of tomorrow’s India will have access to basic entitlements; will be economically empowered and will live in an environment free from all forms of violence against women(VAW)—physical, economic, social, psychological etc. She will participate and be adequately represented at the highest policy levels, particularly in Parliament and State assemblies.
Science and Technology could transform India in to a modern, industrialized society. I envision an education system which nurtures creativity; a policy framework which encourages young people to enter into scientific careers and an ability to scan scientific developments in the world and use technology foresight in a national perspective. It is with this conviction that I approach to Science & Technology to usher in an era of technological innovation that will propel India of my dreams to the league of superpowers. We will retain and strengthen our capability in the nuclear field so that the country remains unaffected by technology denial regimes. However, our industrial and technological endeavors will be in harmony to the aspect of conservation of the country's natural resources, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife and the prevention and abatement of pollution. The environmental impact of conducting research and operations, will receive increased attention on all fronts in an India marching towards a splendid future.
India of My Dreams seemingly stands aloof to our de facto perceptions about India’s near future. But the hiatus between the two is not surreal to be abridged. What is called for is to transform dreams into aims, the aims of each citizen and custodian of India and to pursue the aims with foolproof planning, unfailing efforts and impregnable integrity.
Agriculture provides the principal means of livelihood for over 58.4 per cent of India's population contributing approximately one-fifth of total GDP. Agriculture accounts for about 10 per cent of the total export earnings and provides raw material to a large number of industries. In other words, agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian economy and society. However, low and volatile agrarian growth rates are a threat not only to national food security, but also to the economic well-being of the nation as a whole. We aspire of achieving food security & rapid growth and development through optimum utilization of country’s land, water, soil and plant resources. Progressive and developmental planning coupled with accelerated research to beef up productivity will lead us to the level of excellence that I dream of.
India is a nation with over 300 million poor people, a number that has barely declined over the last three decades of development. It is therefore essential to address the task of reducing the numbers of the poor frontally. Effective poverty alleviation can’t be achieved until we wipe out subnormality from our parameters of rural development. I dream of India that is a welfare state in its true sense with decentralization of planning, better enforcement of land reforms and greater access to credit for the rural community. The attainment of Panchayati Raj, in letter and spirit, will realize Gandhiji’s image of ‘village republics’.
Industrial growth and flourishing foreign trade of a developing country is known to be the paradigm of its march towards a developed nation. India of my dreams will be a major industrial partner and player in the global arena. A developed India will have a number of prospering industrial zones on the lines of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) that will trigger a large flow of foreign and domestic investment, in infrastructure and productive capacity, leading to generation of additional economic activity and creation of employment opportunities. India’s industrial policy will be an engine for economic growth supported by quality infrastructure complemented by an attractive fiscal package, with the minimum possible regulations.
A layman appraises the growth and worth of a nation by the infrastructure that is held on its land. Physical infrastructure is indeed an attribute of the country’s assets and standards. I look forward to a country which has world class infrastructure, delivering services matching international standards. Infrastructure development, such as industrial and mining infrastructure, highways, roads, ports, railways, airports, power systems, irrigation and agriculture systems, telecommunication systems, hospitals, schools, townships, offices, houses and other buildings; urban infrastructure, including water supply, sewerage, and drainage, and rural infrastructure will provide the basic stimulus to socioeconomic development. The carrying out of infrastructural activity will bring about numerous organized and un-organized employment opportunities. An efficient mechanism for Public Private Partnership(PPP) and Foreign Direct Investment(FDIs) will not only provide the much needed capital for bridging the infrastructure deficit, it would also help to lower costs and improve efficiency in a competitive environment.
India’s aspirations have been marred by insurgencies, terrorism and other outside pressures, particularly in border-states which are brought to bear on the country’s economy and technological progress from time to time. A nation with this type of environment calls for a highly focused national security policy and strategy. India aims at promoting and sustaining durable peace in the subcontinent and equipping its defence forces adequately to safeguard against aggression. Technology superiority is increasingly going to be the decisive factor in future battles. India of the future will have an enviable defence technology R&D. Our intelligence services will deter any defying act of perpetrators. Though we would have honed our nuclear and air arsenal we will function as agents of peace for the world and especially for the South Asian region.
Assuring a minimal level of health care to the population is a critical constituent of the development process. Nutrition, particularly of the infant and the young child, is the focal point of health and well-being. It is directly linked to human resource development, productivity and ultimately to the national growth. We will transform our public health, especially in remote rural regions into an accountable, accessible, and affordable system of quality services. Our objectives vis-à-vis health and nutrition should be derived by the Millennium Development
Goals adopted by The United Nations:
i. Reduce by two-thirds the under-five mortality rate.
ii. Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio.
iii. Achieve universal access to reproductive health.
iv. Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and the incidence of other major diseases.
v. Halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
The role of education and employment in facilitating social and economic progress is well recognized. Education, in its broadest sense of development of youth, is the most crucial input for empowering people with skills and knowledge and giving them access to productive employment in future. I dream of a country where the goal of Universilization of Elementary Education (UEE) will be met without systemic deficiencies and implementation loopholes. We will generate comparable employment opportunities simultaneous to growth rate of our labour force so that our human resources, infrastructure and industry can deliver a symbiotic growth.
Inclusive growth demands that all social groups have equal access to the services provided by the State and equal opportunity for upward economic and social mobility. In India, certain social groups such as the SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities have historically been disadvantaged and vulnerable. Then there are persons with disabilities, older persons, street children, beggars and victims of substance abuse which may be discriminated against and which suffer from handicaps. For growth to be truly inclusive, their protection, wellbeing, development, empowerment and participation will be ensured. India of my dreams will be free from the shackles of any kind of invidious policy or behavior. The relatively disadvantaged sections of the society will be uplifted not through donative measures and unearned incentives such as reservations in education and employment. Rather, a complete gyration will be achieved when they will be facilitated access to skill development and financial inclusion which makes them self sustaining in the long run. The women of tomorrow’s India will have access to basic entitlements; will be economically empowered and will live in an environment free from all forms of violence against women(VAW)—physical, economic, social, psychological etc. She will participate and be adequately represented at the highest policy levels, particularly in Parliament and State assemblies.
Science and Technology could transform India in to a modern, industrialized society. I envision an education system which nurtures creativity; a policy framework which encourages young people to enter into scientific careers and an ability to scan scientific developments in the world and use technology foresight in a national perspective. It is with this conviction that I approach to Science & Technology to usher in an era of technological innovation that will propel India of my dreams to the league of superpowers. We will retain and strengthen our capability in the nuclear field so that the country remains unaffected by technology denial regimes. However, our industrial and technological endeavors will be in harmony to the aspect of conservation of the country's natural resources, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife and the prevention and abatement of pollution. The environmental impact of conducting research and operations, will receive increased attention on all fronts in an India marching towards a splendid future.
India of My Dreams seemingly stands aloof to our de facto perceptions about India’s near future. But the hiatus between the two is not surreal to be abridged. What is called for is to transform dreams into aims, the aims of each citizen and custodian of India and to pursue the aims with foolproof planning, unfailing efforts and impregnable integrity.
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