Modi on two recent good trends, one work culture problem in India, and solution

By our corresponding, Ahmedabad, 4 April 2013

Speaking at a book launch function, Gujarat Chief Minister said that discussion of economic issues at various forums, and healthy competition between the states are two good things happening in India in recent times. Modi unveiled Orissa industrialist R.P. Gupta’s book ‘Turnaround India’ in English based on the writer’s experience in the field for the last 26 years about his opinions on contemporary subjects like Indian economy and good governance. Speaking at a function to mark the occasion attended by about 50 noted politicians, economists, social scientists and intelligentsia from Orissa, Delhi, Mumbai and other places.

“One good thing that has happened in India these days. Earlier economic issues were discussed among one limited academic world. To some extent some educated industrial class, financial institutions or pink newspapers were connected to it,” Mr. Modi said.

“These days, there has been a major change. Any govt event, media world event, university event, political party’s event, it is good sign that there are open debates on economical issues. Every one has make his point on economic affairs. Ultimately development means that such things are to be thought about,” he added.

Shri Modi further said, “another good change these days is that there has been an atmosphere of healthy competition between the states. This progressed like this, that state was left behind.Ultimately all make analysis as per their wish. Those who like Modi will project figure in one way, those who don’t like Modi will project figures in different way. It is a different subject. But this debate itself is very beneficial. If one state is left behind, it will think “we should go ahead.” Such healthy competition should go up. If it happens so, leading state will be studied by other states. I experience that variety types of people from other states, countries, universities come and study the areas of their interests in Gujarat.”

“Gujarat is proud of the fact that it took very major initiative to set the agenda of development politics in this nation, and today in every region, all have to discussed development, they will later come to implementation level one by one, and this only will take the nation ahead.”

Narrating the problem side of the story, Modi said, “one problem is about our work culture. And because of that the things are seen in bits and pieces. If we see the things as whole, wastage of our resources will be minimum and we will be able to bring the best results.”

He further said, “if government in past could think that power stations should be setup where there’s coal, and later power could be transmitted through greed system to other parts of the nation, then such vision could save huge transportation costs. If various things could be connected well, the situation could be different today.”

Speaking further on this he said, “India’s 2/3rd part is connected to its sea coast, but we have never thought about developing integrated coastal transportation. Suppose if we need to send goods from Kandla to Vizag, why should we face all the traffic over the land? Many times we think, if such and such thing could be at such and such place, the situation could be different.”

Modi said, “natural resources, human resources, skill, will, policy and proper leadership quality – all these things are available in this country, it’s not like that we need to import it from outside. Everything is here, otherwise this nation could not be known as sone ki chidiya in past”.

Mr. Modi complimented Mr. Gupta and described the occasion as blending of the natural resources of Orissa from the land of Lord Jagannath in the East with investment climate of Gujarat in this land of Somnath in the West. It is sure to infuse new life in Indian economy.

Mr. Modi said that India’s budgetary planning should focus more on ‘outcome’ rather than ‘output’. Only then could bring about radical changes in the system. He said that Gujarat has established the agenda of ‘politics of development’ in India and has shown to the nation as to how to achieve socio-economic changes through human resource management.

He said that inputs from universities and educational research institutes play a significant role in the process of policy making in the affluent developed West. There is need to institutionalize such concept in thinking, vision, framing policies and implementation in India, particularly at the Planning Commission level in framing our Five Year Plans.

In this context, he said, Gujarat has not only introduced 24×7 three-phase electricity in its villages but also overhauled the socio-economic outcomes. Citing the example of seasonal river Sabarmati, he said, the river is now revived with quality water bringing about a socio-economic change in the lifestyle of people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gupta said that India is a great nation and should move ahead taking everybody along with team spirit stressed on the need for introspection to frame political policies to take the nation towards the right direction.

Mr. Gupta urged Mr. Modi to redeem his debt to India after he redeems his debt to Gujarat.

Those present on the occasion included former Union Minister and BJP national leader Jewel Oram, MP Ramlal Agrawal, Shiv Sena MP Bharat Raut, Mr. Ramesh Mehta, Gujarat Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary K. Kailashnathan and Additional Principal Secretary G.C.Murmu, among others.