The mindset that the poor are a problem for India has to change as even the poorest of the poor have found solutions for survival. But the challenge is to make it organisational and that is development, said Rajeev Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries Department.
He was delivering the keynote address at the ‘Youth to Business Forum 2010' on ‘Sustainnovation,' organised by the Chennai chapter of AIESEC here on Saturday.
AIESEC is one of the world's largest global, youth-run organisations offering youngsters a platform to explore and develop their leadership potential.
“India today only accounts for one per cent of the world trade, but it was not the same 400 years ago. To increase our growth rate, we need to forget our past and work towards attaining new goals,” he said.
Talking about challenges, Mr. Ranjan said 70 per cent of urbanisation will happen in cities in the years to come and for which we need to reorient our policies. “There is no one model of development for a country. Tamil Nadu today is the most urbanised State and by 2030, 67 per cent of the population will be living in cities,” he said.
He said that the key innovation challenges for the country are to encourage entrepreneurs, their potential for innovation and reconfigure the formal and informal sectors. He cited the examples of Aravind Eye Care, dabbawalas of Mumbai as a few innovative business models.
Chief guest Governor Surjit Singh Barnala in his address congratulated AIESEC for providing leadership opportunities among the youth through its conferences and international internships. “India needs many such non-political and non-profit organisations to bring a dynamic change in the youth,” he said.
Advyit Varma, president, AIESEC, Chennai, said the chapter currently has 88 members. A panel discussion on ‘Sustainnovation — who does it better?' was also held.
