The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : President's alternative to GDP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 24, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

President's alternative to GDP

Special Correspondent

Kalam proposes National Prosperity Index to gauge level of development

CHENNAI : President APJ Abdul Kalam provided a new tool for the nation to gauge its development: A National Prosperity Index. Speaking to graduating students at Women's Christian College, here on Friday, President Kalam said the NPI would be the sum total of the Gross Domestic Product, minimum level of quality of life and value systems derived from our civilisation and heritage.

Advocating NPI as an alternative to GDP, Mr. Kalam explained: "With our GDP growing at 9 per cent per annum, it is evident that economic growth is not reflected in the quality of life... in rural and urban areas." GDP, he added, was only one aspect of the growth of the nation.

At the third function he attended in a single evening, Mr. Kalam spoke with obvious enthusiasm about his new mantra for development of the nation, one that would achieve his Vision 2020. However, Mr. Kalam told the audience that his definition was not final, and a debate could be held to decide on a comprehensive definition of the Prosperity Index.

He went on to give students an "action-oriented" model, the same one that he gave Parliamentarians earlier in the day, when addressing both Houses at the commencement of the budget session. The model hinges on three key principles: education with values, religion transformed to spirituality and economic transformation that is essential to human development.

It is possible to have a happy, safe and prosperous society, President Kalam told graduates of Women's Christian College. By the time he was finished, he had the auditorium agreeing with him.

He congratulated the graduating students of the college and administered an oath to them, in addition to the regular oath that they take. The President also distributed prizes and medals to the graduating students of 2006.

Earlier, President of the WCC Association, Adella Paul, welcomed the gathering; Principal Ridling Margaret Walker presented the annual report; and Vice Principal Beulah Immanuel also spoke.

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