Commonwealth students get a picture of India's contrasts
Mar 29, 2007 - 4:52:02 PM
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'Inclusive growth constitutes an area of policy challenge. The idea is how to use technological prowess to address endemic problems of the country,' he said.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, March 29 - Towering headquarters of global IT majors coexisting with poverty-ridden slums, islands of opulence among oceans of deprivation. This is the picture of India 180-odd young men and women from the Commonwealth countries are carrying home after their two-week tour.
Part of the Commonwealth Study Conference -, which takes place after a gap of four years, these budding leaders from diverse countries and backgrounds travelled to south Indian cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore over the last two weeks to analyse the concept of inclusive growth and its relevance for India.
What they found was that the IT revolution has driven prosperity at the top, but it hasn't been shared across the class spectrum, said one of the participants at a group presentation at the Taj Palace Hotel here Thursday.
'India is strong only at the top - but not at the bottom,' said one of the documentaries directed by one of the participants.
The CSC was organised this time by the Confederation of Indian Industry - together with Commonwealth Study Conference Association of Malaysia and is aimed at introducing participants to development models in India and Malaysia.
Princess Anne of England, who is currently on a visit to India and is a royal patron of the CSC, lauded participants for their 'positive and insightful' contribution to deepening an understanding of contemporary India.
'There is no one way to look at inclusive growth. It's important for both the government and the private sector to be involved in this exercise,' said Princess Anne.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, who delivered the valedictory address, acknowledged the need for inclusive development as India marched into the 21st century.
'Unless development is inclusive, it will lead to problems. Despite a large number of IT experts in the country, there is a huge digital divide in India,' she said at the 10th CSC.
'We have moved into the 21st century with more confidence than we have ever had,' Dixit said as she underlined the need for 'more balanced, secure and equitable future' for the country.
N.K. Singh, former member of the Planning Commission, called the CSC participants future leaders and underlined the need for blending growth with more employment in the country.
'Inclusive growth constitutes an area of policy challenge. The idea is how to use technological prowess to address endemic problems of the country,' he said.
CSC chairman Dhruv M. Sawhney, an industrialist, commended delegates for taking this 'exciting journey through contrasts, challenges and opportunities of India'.
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