I have great pleasure in extending a warm
welcome this afternoon to the galaxy of eminent personalities,
at this very important Session on "Unleashing India
in the Global Matrix" at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
of FICCI, the apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India.
We are delighted to have Shri Murli Manohar
Joshi, our Hon'ble Minister who is a man of great stature
and a firm believer that India is on the path of becoming
a world leader in the era of knowledge-driven economy.
Senator Brownback, a Republican friend and
an ally of India, has played a key role in pushing for stronger
Indo-US relationship. Earlier this year, during a Seminar
organised by FICCI and Indo-US Parliamentarian Forum (IUPF)
in Washington, he remarked and I quote, " There is
a naturalness to the Indo-US relationship. I hope the relationship
can grow fast and grow rapidly because of that." Padma
Bhushan Swadesh Chatterjee will be introducing the Senator
in greater detail a bit later.
Dr Vijay Mallaya and Mr Sunil Alagh need no introduction
as they are the dynamic leaders of Indian Inc, the pillars
of tomorrow's India.
We are also delighted to have Mr Mark Clifford,
who is the Regional Director for Business Week and who has
specially flown in from Hong Kong to be with us today.
On the occasion of our Platinum Jubilee celebrations,
we are thankful to Mr S C Dutta of the Department of Posts,
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government
of India, for releasing a special cover on FICCI.
Our theme for this Session has been chosen
with an idea of putting forward before the world, India's
dynamic, positive and changing image in tandem with globalisation
which, however, has so far been a highly selective process
with uneven distribution of benefits and costs across as
well as within nations. The greatest challenge of our time
is to balance the risks and rewards of liberalisation and
economic reforms. This requires good governance built on
people empowerment.
Today India is on the threshold of the second-
generation reforms and we see globalisation as a powerful
tool for unleashing India's capabilities in all fields whether
they be economic, social or commercial for building a niche
for herself in the world. As Professor Galbraith said "Globalisation
is not the death of the welfare state, but a reason to extend
it." It is only through such dedicated inputs, imaginative
initiatives, active participation, powerful contribution
and sustained efforts by all the stake- holders that globalisation
would create life that is rich in all its diversities.
Where does India stand in this emerging global
matrix? To quote from our Hon'ble Prime Minister's speech
which he gave at the recently concluded India-ASEAN Business
Summit, jointly organised by FICCI and the Government of
India, "India missed the industrial revolution because
we were under colonial domination at that time, but today,
we are at the forefront of the knowledge revolution. From
information technology to genetics, from pure science to
biotechnology, Indian professionals and skills have won
world-wide respect. Our proficiencies in knowledge based
economy have given us the unique opportunity to accelerate
our progress and catch up with the developed countries in
foreseeable time frame." The ambitious GDP growth target
of 8 per cent per annum during the current five-year plan
reiterates India's commitment to stay on the path of reform
process with balanced equitable development.
You will bear me out when I say that India
has started generating something more than just positive
vibes amongst the world community. It is actually emerging
as an example of what rapid, balanced growth can achieve
in a relatively short period of eleven years.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a historic occasion
for FICCI as it reaffirms its commitment to be there at
every step of the march towards assuring India its rightful
place in the comity of nations. We share with our captains
of industry assembled here the belief that a vibrant, resilient,
dynamic and equitable economic structure is what is going
to take us there.
Thank you.
