Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the time for incremental change was over and the requirement was for transformational change. The niyat (intentions) of policymakers is even more important than the niti (policies) itself, he said, addressing the NITI Aayog.
The Prime Minister asked the Aayog to create a vision document and road map for India’s development for the next 15 years. Interacting with the Aayog’s members, Mr. Modi said the Union Government had the “courage and the ability” to deliver transformational change for bettering the lives of the people. This was his second visit to the Aayog since it was set up to replace the erstwhile Planning Commission.
Pointing out that historically, Indian policymakers had tended to lament the country’s constraints rather than play to its strengths, he said judicious and intelligent application of India’s natural resources and human resources would be at the heart of this change.
Untapped areasHe mentioned land, the country’s mineral wealth, and vast untapped solar energy potential and said India had made sub-optimal use so far of its vast coastline. Talking about human resource development, Mr. Modi said: “Focussed skill development is vital, as India has the potential to fulfil the global requirement of human resources in the future.”
He also stressed on the need to develop India’s tourism potential. Partnerships with States for promoting development and boosting exports were need of the hour, he said.
