Gadkari brings the “New BJP” to London: India Inc Interview

Gadkari brings the “New BJP” to London: India Inc Interview

Sustainable Development and Embracing the Global Indian – Key Mantras

Nitin Gadkari, the president of India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, arrives in London later today on a six-day visit that will focus on projecting the party under his leadership as progressive and development focussed.

On the eve of his “goodwill” visit, Gadkari speaks exclusively and candidly toIndia Inc about the recent Mumbai terror attacks and their impact on business, sustainable economic development, liberalisation, and how the BJP-ruled states such as Gujarat can be the blueprint for the party’s success at a national level.

What is the impact of terror attacks such as the most recent one in Mumbai on the business environment in India?

The perpetrators of terrorist attacks in India, especially repeated attacks in Mumbai which is the commercial capital of the country, have sinister designs to vitiate the favourable investment climate and disrupt the booming Indian economy.

It is a deliberate, well-calibrated and strategically planned agenda of those who are seen the world over as a failed state and have been adopting terror as a state policy.

But the strength of Indian democracy, the resilience of its economy, peace loving nature of its hardworking people and the vigilance of its vibrant media has withstood such onslaughts. We have frustrated their evil designs in the past, are doing the same now and will continue to do so in future.

The Indian economy is stable and any number of attempts by terror outfits will never be able to derail the favourable investment climate.

What are the BJP's key economic plans/changes if it comes to power?

The present growth under Congress-led UPA is not inclusive. Inflation is at an all time high and investments in key areas like infrastructure have slowed down drastically. It has a combined effect on daily lives of the common man. The total failure in creating jobs has led to an environment of non-confidence.

So our utmost priority shall be to infuse confidence among investors and the economy and focus on generating large-scale employment, like we did during BJP-led NDA regime, where we generated more than 12 million jobs per year.

The focus will be on infrastructure development, agriculture, rural infrastructure, power, housing etc.

The country's growth rates have been impressive but what more should/could have been done?

The growth has not reached each and every section of society. The agriculture sector, which caters to over half of the population, is still neglected and large scale farmer suicides are taking place.

This growth is jobless growth; we need to devise a mechanism where fruits of development reach the last man in the row.

Our approach towards irrigation and water management needs a relook. Diversification of agriculture to energy and power sector shall help farmers generate more income and change their lives. Area of non-conventional energy, bio fuels holds future potential.

What are your views on opening up the country to multi-brand retail?

Bharatiya Janata Party has been always at the forefront of economic reforms and believes that government’s role is confined to drafting sound laws and its strict enforcement. The actual job of economic activities should be left to non-governmental business enterprises.

BJP is not against FDI per say and has always welcomed foreign investments in the areas where large-scale capital investment or high level of technology is involved.

The situation in the retail sector is a little different in India where organised retail is less than 15 per cent and the rest is unorganised small retailer. This large-scale unorganised retail has generated huge employment across India.

Various reports and studies have suggested and hence it is perceived that if organised multi-brand retail sector is opened up to foreign investments, it may hamper the interests of these small unorganised retailers. Therefore, the BJP suggests that we need more debate on the subject so that interest of the small retailers is protected at the same time as adequate funds are made available to the organised retail sector to grow.

How would the BJP make the country's atmosphere more business-friendly to attract investment?

In recent times large-scale corruption at the highest level has dented the image of India as an attractive investment destination.

India with a billion-plus population is still one of the largest markets and fastest growing economies in the world. The initiative at the highest level can help build this confidence. A pro-active approach, fast track decision making, transparency, accountability in governance and reducing red tape is key to good governance.

We are doing it in all BJP-ruled states and therefore we are proud to say that they are better governed than other states and are attracting large investments. Not only states like Gujarat and Karnataka, which are attractive investments destinations, but smaller states like Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have also been at the forefront of attracting investors.

Can Gujarat be seen as a blueprint for BJP's success?

Performance of the BJP government in Gujarat under the able leadership of Shri Narendra Modi is excellent. Gujarat in spite of political vendetta from the Congress-led central government has led to the path of progress and development. Various initiatives like river connectivity, focus on agriculture has brought change in the lives of the people of Gujarat. We are definitely proud of this.

The BJP has been the only party to have created a Good Governance Cell and has organised two conclaves of chief ministers of BJP-led states for an exchange of ideas. And we are happy that all BJP-ruled states have taken various initiatives which are path breaking, like the Madhya Pradesh government’s scheme for promoting the girl child, Public Service Guarantee Act, effective Public Distribution System in Chhattisgarh and special agriculture budget by Karnataka government.

We have constituted a mechanism to share good practices amongst each other. Gujarat definitely has led us in this.

Are the corruption scandals making India a less attractive business proposition?

Definitely corruption at the highest level has dented the image of India at the international level. At the same time it has introduced the world with a more mature side of Indian democracy.

A democracy in which a strong and vigilant opposition, independent media and judiciary have played a pivotal role in unearthing this large-scale corruption at the highest level.

And therefore we can assure the world that the Indian constitution has its strong roots in democracy and can withstand this small turbulence. The BJP strongly feels that this temporary phase will be over and we shall be able to give a responsive, transparent and corruption-free government to the people of India.

What in your view are the biggest hurdles to India's continued growth?

India is a large country with different problems and needs. The biggest challenge for us is to ensure these fruits of growth reach the last person on the ladder. The rural infrastructure needs a big push. We will have to develop adequate infrastructure to cope with growing needs.

The other area of concern is agriculture and water management. As I said earlier making agriculture viable by using technology and diversifying it towards energy and the power sector will hold the key to change the scenario.

The third challenge will be generating the required skilled manpower. With a growing economy India needs enough skilled manpower to take advantage of this growth. This skill gap can be addressed by the industry, academic collaboration and infusing private investments in education and skills development.

Youth are... effective agents of change" – Anurag Thakur

Mr. Anurag Thakur, President of the BJYM recently (on July 25^th 2011) attended a High Level meeting on Youth in New York as part of the United Nations panel. Following was the topic of the panel:

“Challenges to youth development and opportunities for poverty eradication, employment and sustainable development”

Full Excerpts from Anurag Thakur's Speech :

The importance of youth development and it goes without saying that empowerment of youth is the fundamental aspect of socio-economic development of any country.

We can only succeed if we are able to channel the youthful energy and aspiration of the billions of youth globally into socially and economically productive activities.

70 % of India’s population is under 35. For us, this is our asset. Youthful population is not a challenge, but an immense opportunity.

Youth are not a passive beneficiary, instead are effective agents of change. “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

It is essential that youth actively involved in the process of policy, decision-making and executive at all levels.

In India, with the lowering of aging for voting to 18 years as well as 21 years to stand of local panchayati raj elections, the youth in India are increasingly participating in the political process. Presently, we have a sizable number of young elected members, like me, in the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

Youth, with their dedication, enthusiasm and creativity, can positively contribute to the development of the society. Participation is the key.

Volunteering is also an effective strategy as it inculcating strong sense of civil responsibilities, social skills, as well as positive attitudes and affirmative behaviour.

In various global issues such as the challenge of sustainable development, spread of HIV and AIDS, illicit drug trafficking and its abuse are areas where youth can play an effective role.

Skill development is yet another focus area where we must concentrate. This will considerably enhance their employability and eventually help the youth to integrate in the society, meaningfully and productively.

Mr Co-Chair,

Youth like me, never stop believing in dreaming, and never stop dreaming of believing. That is what gives us hope, and what will keep us alive.

Mr Co-Chair,

I have a question for the panelist. While there is a greater realisation that international migration has a positive impact on youth empowerment, however, the international community has shied away for appropriately addressing this emerging issue. I would be happy to hear the views of the panelist in this regard, especially in the context of poverty eradication, employment generation and sustainable development.

Thank you,

Speech by Shri L.K. Advani at a function to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. S.P. Mookerjee at Kolkata

Speech by Shri L.K. ADVANI

At a function to commemorate the birth anniversary of

Dr. S.P. Mookerjee

Kolkata – 10 July. 2011

It is a matter of honour for me to have been invited to come to Kolkata to participate in a function today to pay our respects to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Just four days ago, we commemorated his 110^th birth anniversary.

Last month, on June 23 to be precise, I participated in a function in New Delhi to pay homage to Dr. Mookerjee on the 58^th anniversary of his martyrdom. It was on that day, in 1953, that Dr. Mookerjee sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of India.

Congratulations to Mamata Banerjee

Friends, I have come to Kolkata for the first time after the recent Assembly elections. Therefore, at the outset, I would like to heartily congratulate the people of West Bengal for bringing about a mini-revolution through the ballot box.

The 34-year-old authoritarian misrule of the communists is finally a thing of the past. I want to convey my profuse congratulations to the leader of this movement, Mamata Banerjee, for this historic achievement.

Mamataji has worked with us in Vajpayeeji’s government. I admire her simplicity and her total commitment to the welfare of the common people.

I wish Mamataji the best in her onerous task of rebuilding a broken administration, re-uniting a divided society, and regaining the old glory of Bengal in the economy, education and all the spheres of development.

A great Son of Bengal, a great Leader of India

Friends, Dr. Mookerjee was one of the greatest sons of Bengal in modern times. He was a great nationalist leader. He was a minister in the first National Government formed after India gained Independence. He belonged to the Hindu Mahasabha at the time. But Mahatma Gandhi prevailed upon Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to include Dr. Mookerjee in the first cabinet.

It was also at the behest of the Mahatma that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, another prominent non-Congress leader at the time, was inducted into Nehru’s cabinet. It was Gandhiji’s wish that India’s first post-Independence government should be truly national in character.

Even in the short time that Dr. Mookerjee served as India’s first Industries Minister, he laid a strong foundation for the country’s self-reliant industrialization.

He was a distinguished member of the Constituent Assembly, and made valuable contributions to the drafting of the Constitution.

After the first General Elections in 1952, Dr. Mookerjee, representing the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which he himself had founded in the previous year, came to be known as the Lion of Indian Parliament. He was, effectively, the Leader of the Opposition in the first Lok Sabha. He was the pioneer of alliance politics in Indian Parliament, having taken the initiative to form the National Democratic Front comprising all the non-communist parties in the opposition.

Both when Dr. Mookerjee was a minister in Nehruji’s first government, and also when he was in the Opposition in the first Lok Sabha, Dr. Mookerjee had seen the dangers inherent in the lack of clarity and firmness in the government’s policy towards Pakistan. He had also foreseen that placing Jammu & Kashmir on a separate and unsound Constitutional footing would have disastrous consequences. Nobody spoke for J&K’s full integration with India as strongly as he did.

Soon after founding the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, as a truly nationalist alternative to the Congress, in October 1951, he made Kashmir’s full integration with India the main agenda of our party. I was fortunate to have participated in the first National conference of the Jana Sangh held in Kanpur.

Like a Lion in People’s Parliament, Dr. Mookerjee roared that Article 370 of the Constitution must be repealed since it meant that no one, including the President and the Prime Minister of India could enter into Kashmir without the permission of Kashmir's “Prime Minister”. It meant that Kashmir would have its own Constitution, its own President and Prime Minister, and its own Flag! In protest, Dr. Mookerjee thundered: "Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan and Do Nishan nahi challenge".

In early 1953, Dr. Mookerjee announced that he would defy the anti-national bar on Indian citizens’ travel to Kashmir without permission. On May 11, while crossing the border into Kashmir, he was arrested and held as a detenu in a dilapidated house near Srinagar. He was not provided proper medical assistance when his health deteriorated and, on June 23, he died under mysterious circumstances.

A great Son of Bengal, a great Leader of India

Friends, all this is not unknown to many people in this audience. Why, then, am I recounting this? Is there any need to prove that Dr. Mookerjee was a towering national and nationalist leader deserving of suitable recognition at the national level?

It is because the Congress rulers in New Delhi are treating India as the fiefdom of the Nehru Family. According to them, the Nehru Family deserves almost exclusive credit for India’s Independence and for India’s national reconstruction after Independence. They might grudgingly acknowledge Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the Freedom Struggle. But, as far as other great patriots and martyrs are concerned – whether they belonged to the Congress or to other parties – they are either relegated to the back row of the National Hall of Honour, or banished from it altogether.

Scheme after government scheme, institution after government-funded institution, stadiums, ports, airports…have been named after members of the Nehru family. Shri A. Surya Prakash, a senior journalist has written a well-researched booklet on this subject, which reveals that about 450 Central and State Government programmes, projects and national and state level institutions involving public expenditure of hundreds of thousands of crores of rupees have been named after just three individuals – Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

Where is the recognition for other great national leaders such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, Gopinath Bordoloi, Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Hiren Mukherjee, B.C. Roy and, of course, Dr. Mookerjee?

Isn’t it a shame that the history of Dr. Mookerjee’s martyrdom for the cause of India’s unity and integrity is not taught to our students in schools and colleges?

Did Doordarshan and All India Radio carry any feature on Dr. Mookerjee on his 110^th birth anniversary.

I regard this as a Policy of Untouchability being practiced by the Congress and its governments.

I would like all non-Congress parties to debate this matter and evolve a common approach to ending the Nehru Family’s monopoly in the matter of nomenclature of government schemes, institutions, etc.

As far as Dr. Mookerjee’s legacy is concerned, let it not be forgotten that, even though Article 370 has not yet been repealed, many of the gains in terms of extending the Central Government’s powers over J&K are directly the outcome of Dr. Mookerjee’s struggle and sacrifice.

The best way to carry forward his legacy is to finish the unfinished task of abrogation of Article 370 and achieve full and final integration of Jammu & Kashmir into the Union of India.

Dr. Mookerjee and the challenges in Indian education system

Ladies and gentlemen, today I would like to dwell briefly on a very important facet of Dr. Mookerjee’s personality, which has immense contemporary relevance. And that is his life as an educationist.

Dr. Mookerjee has the distinction of becoming the youngest Vice-Chancellor of a university in India. He earned this honour at the age of 33, when he was appointed the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta in 1934. He held the office till 1938.

His father, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, was also a great educationist and he too had served as the Vice Chancellor of the same prestigious university. Thus, in the history of Indian universities, this is perhaps the only instance when a father-son duo became vice chancellors of the same university.

Dr. Mookerjee’s views on education were truly ahead of his time. He firmly believed that India’s education system should be both modern and nationalist in character. Let me cite the following excerpt from his Convocation Address at Calcutta University on March 2nd, 1935:

”We strongly feel that the door of the university should be thrown open wider still, so that it might elevate the nation and rouse the self-respect of the people of this land. The influence of the university in this democratic age cannot safely be limited to the period of youth but must include systematic and organised effort for the education of adults. In other countries there have been inaugurated in recent times movements for giving to the adults of every class the advantages of university education as far as practicable.”

We see in the above excerpt how Dr. Mookerjee advocated not only expansion of university education but also lifelong or continuous education beyond the portals of universities.

More than 60% of India’s population is below 25 years of age. The enormous creative power of our young population can be unleashed only if they have access to good education that not only builds their character and knowledge-base, but also enables them to secure productive livelihoods.

Sadly, our education system has not been developed to meet these twin requirements.

Another worrisome aspect of the crisis in our education system is that, although we have about government-run 350 universities in India, not a single one of them ranks among the Top 100 universities in the world. The poor standards of our universities is mainly due to bureaucratic control and political interference, which the people of West Bengal were quite familiar with during the long misrule of the Left Front.

Bengal was once known nationally and internationally for the quality of its education, including university education.

This is where Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore established Shanti Niketan and Viswa Bharati.

The fame of the University of Calcutta and other universities in the state had spread far and wide.

In my view, one of the important tasks before the new government in West Bengal is to repair the malfunctioning education system at primary, secondary, college and university levels.

May Bengal promote universities and professional institutions that will be counted among the best in the world.

And may Bengal once again produce and encourage great educationists such as Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

Build good-neighbourly relations between India and Bangladesh, without compromising our concerns over illegal migrants

Friends, I shall conclude my speech by touching upon a subject that is of utmost importance to India, West Bengal and the entire North-Eastern part of our country. It is about India-Bangladesh relations.

I am happy to note that our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will be visiting Bangladesh in September. I am equally happy to read newspaper reports that Mamtaji, as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, will be accompanying him.

Bangladesh today has a Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, for whom I have great admiration and regard. Under her leadership, Bangladesh is not only making steady economic progress, but has also checked the anti-India forces of religious extremism.

We in India have best wishes for peace, prosperity and stability in Bangladesh. I personally wish Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed success in her endeavours.

However, there are two issues which are worth mentioning on today’s occasion. First is the condition of Hindus in Bangladesh, a subject which had greatly worried Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee when there was no Bangladesh but the region was known as East Pakistan.

The population of Hindus in Bangladesh is steadily declining. Their rights are restricted and they are facing discrimination in many fields. This is a matter of concern and it must be taken up by our Prime Minister when he visits Bangladesh.

The second issue is the steady influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into West Bengal and North-Eastern states. Assam has suffered the most due to this demographic invasion, and nobody can speak more authoritatively on this subject than Gen. (retd) S.K. Sinha, who served as Governor of the State.

But we should not underestimate the problem of infiltration of Bangladeshis into West Bengal. When I was Home Minister in the NDA Government, I had discussed this matter on several occasions with the state’s former Chief Minister, who tacitly agreed that this was a problem.

I urge Mamataji to deal with this problem with the seriousness that it deserves.

I would also like to see Dr. Manmohan Singhji take up this issue with his Bangladeshi counterpart.

However, looking at the track record of the UPA Government in the past seven years, I have serious doubts about its will and readiness to confront this problem.

In my opinion, what is needed is strong public pressure within India – especially within West Bengal and the North-Eastern States – that can force the government in New Delhi to reverse its disastrously myopic approach to the problem.

Therefore, I take the opportunity of today’s function to appeal to the people of West Bangal to awaken to the seriousness of this problem.

At a different time and in a different setting, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee had forewarned the people of his generation about the threats to India’s unity and integrity.

India paid – and has been paying still – a heavy price because successive Congress governments ignored Dr. Mookerjee’s warning in respect of Jammu & Kashmir.

India must not commit the same mistake in respect of the problem of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

With these words, I conclude my remarks.

Thank you.