Modi calls for transformational rather than incremental change

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a transformational change for bettering the lives of the people, saying judicious use of India's resources will be at the heart of this change in the country.

"The time for incremental change, that was the norm across the world for quite some time, is now over. The current age is one that requires transformational change," Modi said while laying the broad contours of India's development path, during a meeting with NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog members.

"Judicious and intelligent application of India's natural and human resources will be at the heart of this change."

He said Indian policy-makers in the past tended to lament the constraints rather than play on the country's strengths.

Modi said the intentions (niyat) of the policy-makers were even more important than the policies (niti) themselves.

He asserted that his government had the courage and the ability to deliver transformational change for bettering the lives of the people.

He also said: "Historically, Indian policy-makers had tended to lament its constraints rather than play to its strengths."

Modi highlighted the importance of technology as an emerging driver of change over the last three decades and asserted that this pace of change will not slacken.

Stressing the need to build capacities for good governance, he highlighted the importance of real-time data availability.

Giving several illustrations of this theme, he mentioned use of available land, the country's mineral wealth, and vast untapped solar energy potential.

"India has made sub-optimal use so far of its vast coastline," he added.

Modi on Thursday called upon the NITI Aayog to create a 'vision document' to chart a roadmap for India's development for the next 15 years, and also lay the foundation for the country's growth over the next decades of the 21st century.

He urged the NITI Aayog to take inspiration from events such as the success of the Give-it-Up campaign, and the widespread positive response from the people to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Talking about human resource development, Modi said: "Focused skill development is vital, as India has the potential to fulfil the global requirement of human resource in the future."

He also stressed on the development of India's tourism potential. "Partnership with states for promoting development and boosting exports is not just an element of cooperative federalism, but also the need of the hour," he added.

Turning to agriculture, Modi said: "The focus cannot be on increasing agricultural productivity alone, but should be on the overall development of a vibrant rural economy."

--IANS

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