At the FICCI's 96th Annual General Meeting, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for an all-inclusive economic growth approach, steering away from the belief that India's progress rests solely on men. He stressed the government's dedication to empowering women, recognizing their significant contribution, referred to as "Nari Shakti," in propelling the nation forward.
Singh highlighted impactful initiatives by the Ministry of Defence, including enrolling girls in Sainik Schools, training women officers at the National Defence Academy, and their active roles as fighter pilots and frontline personnel. Notably, the Agnipath scheme witnessed a surge in young girls joining the Armed Forces.
He credited India's advancement to the joint efforts of over a billion citizens, lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership that positioned India as a global growth influencer. Singh outlined the government's sustainable growth agenda, citing environmental measures like the Paris Agreement and the International Solar Alliance, alongside infrastructural developments such as expanding highways and doubling airports through initiatives like PM Gati Shakti Yojana and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
Emphasizing a growth model balancing equal opportunities and rapid progress, Singh highlighted the importance of human resources, citing policies like the National Education Policy, establishment of new universities, IITs, IIMs, and the Ministry of Skill Development to fortify India's workforce.
Key Points:
1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed the need for gender-neutral economic growth, highlighting the government's shift away from crediting economic progress solely to men.
2. At the FICCI meeting, Singh emphasized the priority placed on empowering women, ensuring India's progress in all spheres involves both men and Nari Shakti (women's power).
3. He outlined steps taken by the Ministry of Defence to empower women, including their enrollment in Sainik Schools, training of women officers at the National Defence Academy, and their roles as fighter pilots and in border postings.
4. Singh attributed India's emergence as a global growth engine to the collective efforts of over a billion Indians under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
5. He highlighted the government's commitment to green growth, referencing initiatives like the Paris Agreement, the International Solar Alliance, and measures promoting clean energy and reduced emission intensity of GDP.
6. Infrastructure development initiatives were underscored, including the increase in national highways to 1.5 lakh kilometers and the doubling of airports from 74 to 148, alongside plans for Rs 100 lakh crore worth of infrastructure development through PM Gati Shakti Yojana and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
7. Singh reiterated the government's focus on inclusive growth, emphasizing that India's growth model demonstrates compatibility between equal opportunities for all and accelerated economic growth.
8. The significance of human resources in economic progress was highlighted, citing the National Education Policy, establishment of new universities, IITs, IIMs, and the Ministry of Skill Development as transformative steps to boost human resources in the country.
9. The Defence Minister expressed confidence in the youth, considering them integral to sustaining India's growth trajectory and steering the nation towards development.
10. He called for collaboration between business leaders, stakeholders, and the government to make the 21st century India's era of prosperity and advancement.
(With Agency Inputs)
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