New Delhi, October 3: India has demonstrated that democracy and development can advance together, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan said on Saturday, asserting that consensus-building has given economic reforms greater durability and sustainability.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, organised on the theme “Resilience in an Age of Flux”, Radhakrishnan said India’s economic growth and inclusive progress have been achieved within a democratic framework.
He said the experience provides an important foundation for the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
“In times of flux, decisiveness must be embedded in consensus,” the Vice-President said, adding that debate and discussion are integral to democracy but must ultimately lead to decisions that command broad acceptance.
As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan said free and transparent debate strengthens democracy, while rights and duties must go hand in hand.
Emphasising that economic resilience cannot be separated from social resilience, he highlighted the role of the JAM trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer and GST in strengthening financial inclusion, transparency and formalisation.
He said inclusion must go beyond bringing people into the formal economy and enable them to create value, generate income and become entrepreneurs. He cited the contribution of around 9.2 million Self-Help Groups covering more than 100 million rural women and the emergence of over 34.6 million Lakhpati Didis.
Radhakrishnan also highlighted the growing participation of women in education and the economy, saying it reflected India’s transition from women’s empowerment to women-led development.
He said more than 250 million Indians had moved out of extreme poverty, describing it as a historic achievement, and stressed that every State, district and village must be an equal partner in India’s development journey.
Calling for stronger research and institutional partnerships, the Vice-President welcomed collaborations among the University of Delhi, Delhi School of Economics, London School of Economics and the Institute of Economic Growth.
He expressed confidence that the deliberations at the conclave would contribute to the national endeavour of building a developed India by 2047.
