Communal harmony, poverty alleviation major challenges: Alva

Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva today said maintenance of communal harmony and removal of poverty are the challenges for India in the coming years.
Speaking on 'Issues and Challenges in the Next Decade and Way Ahead' at Mangalore in Karnataka, she cautioned that communal and sectarian divides can derail economic progress, according to an official release here.
Lauding the nation's progress in agriculture, Alva said Green Revolution made India self-sufficient in food.
"Now, the government proposes to provide food grains at subsidised rates to two-thirds of India's population.
"This is a remarkable feat considering that India faced acute famine in 1942," the Governor said.

The Governor also underscored the need for transparency in functioning of political parties, business houses and non-government organisations.
"I have no hesitation in saying it is high time that major political parties collectively took credible steps to ensure financial transparency in their functioning.
By turning a blind eye to this problem, we are weakening the very foundations of democracy," the release said quoting Alva.