Mere incremental progress not enough for growth, metamorphosis needed too: PM

Stressing that development now depends on the quality of institutions and ideas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said if India is to meet the challenge of change, mere incremental progress is not enough, a metamorphosis is needed.

Addressing a programme 'Transforming India' of the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog at Vigyan Bhavan here, the Prime Minister said, "Transformation of India cannot happen without a transformation of governance; a transformation of governance cannot happen without a transformation in mindset, and a transformation in mindset cannot happen without transformative ideas."

Pointing out that India cannot march through the twenty first century with the administrative systems of the nineteenth century, he said, "What we need is a collective opening of our minds, to let in new, global perspectives."

Stating that no country can afford any longer to develop in isolation, the Prime Minister said, "We must change for both external and internal reasons. Thirty years ago, a country might have been able to look inward and find its solutions. Today, countries are inter-dependent and inter-connected.

"Younger generation in India is thinking and aspiring so differently that the government can no longer afford to remain rooted in the past," he added.

Hailing former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's contributions in transitioning his country under his leadership, the Prime Minister said, "One of the greatest reformers and administrators of our time was Lee Kuan Yew, who transformed Singapore to what it is today. It is, therefore, fitting that we are inaugurating this series with Shri Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore."

The Prime Minister, who inaugurated NITI Aayog's maiden annual lecture on 'Transforming India', described Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Shanmugaratnam as one of the world's leading intellectuals.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Shanmugaratnam will deliver a keynote address on the subject 'Fulfilling India's Potential in the Global Economy'.

A panel discussion and brainstorming session are also part of the event where ministers and officers will exchange ideas on economy, governance and development with Shanmugratnam.

The annual lecture series on 'Transforming India' was proposed by Prime Minister Modi to bring in international personalities to share their experiences and ideas on India.