Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the political and business leaders at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015 held in Gandhinagar. However, to translate dreams into realities, we must start work at the ground level as early as possible at a sustainable pace. To achieve the objectives the youth must be weaned away from the influence of narcotic dangerous drugs. These steps can be undertaken at a faster pace? The other day we listened about SAD (Badal) President Sukhbir Singh Badal calling for eradication of drugs from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Why should we be pessimistic? Things will improve but some dedication and discipline is required among lower rung officers and political leaders. BJP MP from Unnao Sakshi Maharaj has been saying Hindu women to produce four children for protecting their religion. He could instead have spoken about training youth for promoting skill development. I had earlier written why we should we address such persons as “Maharaj” and not by their given names? On the other hand, Samajwadi Party MLA Zameer Ullah Khan was talking about producing forty children as if he is going to produce them via his womb. You enjoy and the woman suffers. Is this a part of vibrant India? Modi is lucky that people of Gujarat are sensible and they don’t support such aspects, they are peace loving workers.
The government has renamed the Planning Commission as NITI Aayog but the Former Planning Commission Secretary Sindhushree Khullar has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed institution. Why people are talking only about vibrant Gujarat and why not Vibrant Tamil Nadu or Odisha? FDI or Private participation will be needed to set up rail connectivity with ports. Coastal Shipping and Inland waterways should co-exist together and not function separately. Good inter state co-operation will be needed at the grass root levels. Modi rightly said, not the development of port per se but port led development. There is a need to decongest Mumbai by relocating some offices to other cities for promoting balanced development.
Mere industrialization is not the answer. What about the agrarian economy? Why not make it more productive and profitable by more actively integrating them with Agricultural Colleges. Look at the production of fruits in Egypt (grapes) and Israel (oranges). Move goods through the inland waters followed by coast, if are to be transported to a longer distance. We must be able to do it ourselves by building and operating vessels with minimal draft requirement and good maneuverability. A lot of silent and sincere work is needed and not mere media hype like the India Shining campaign.
