Twitter : @advpranita_a
By Adv Pranita Deshpande
Hoofddorp, Netherlands
The Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI) hosted an interactive session on September 10th, 2023, at the Van der Valk A4 in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, featuring Member of Parliament in India, Mr. Rahul Gandhi and President of Indian Overseas Congress, Mr. Sam Pitroda.
With India’s population soaring to a staggering 1.42 billion and its economy valued at approximately 3.60 trillion USD, the nation’s ambitious goal of achieving a 5 trillion USD economy by 2030 was at the forefront of discussions. Remarkable advancements in life expectancy and literacy rates underscored India’s remarkable growth. India’s abundant cultural diversity and vast potential had positioned it as a prominent global player.
Dr. Pramod Agrawal, Vice President (Programs) of FCCI, offered insights into FCCI’s activities and flagship projects, setting the stage for meaningful public engagement. The event delved into India’s role as a consensus builder, its youthful demographic dividend, its status as the world’s largest democracy, and its significant place among the world’s major economies. When asked how they believe India can benefit from and support its demographic dividend, Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Pitroda emphasized on creating and expanding the manufacturing sector in India. They raised poignant questions about whether India would merely observe as China dominates manufacturing and production sector or will we create a vision for ourselves.
Mr. Gandhi emphasized the importance of transitioning from trading and assembling to actively manufacturing all components locally. India needs to also move away from dependence on other countries for raw materials such as those used in the pharma sector. We need a green energy strategy and that also requires our job and education system to change in order to cater to a different set of development requirements. We need to plant seeds of specific visions that have the power to provide compounded progress over decades to come. After a vote of thanks, FCCI also presented their book compiling 40 years of their work towards Indian growth, to the guests. For additional information about the Foundation for Critical Choices for India, please visit their website at www.fcci.nl.
