News: India set for 10% growth, says Kalam

(BS 26/01/2007) New Delhi - Painting a robust picture of the economy, President APJ Abdul Kalam said in his Republic Day address to the nation today, that India’s Gross Domestic Product is poised to grow at 10 per cent annually, and “enhance the welfare of farmers, workers, professionals and unleash creativity of entrepreneurs, business persons, scientists, engineers and all other constituents of society”.

In the last address of his term, the President emphasised on the need for people from all walks of life to be “guiding forces” and “partners in executing national development programmes”.

Further, Dr Kalam pointed out that the number of people living below poverty line has come down to 22 per cent and literacy rate will soon touch 75 per cent.

The President further stressed upon the country’s improved infrastructure including “affordable” air travel and improvements in Indian Railways.

“Tele-density in the country has gone up to 18 per cent. Mobile telephones are reaching the common man and serving their needs. The one-India plan has made calling across the country easy and affordable,” he said.

He added that “the universities and educational systems should create two cadres of personnel: one, a global cadre of skilled youth with specific knowledge of special skills; two, another global cadre of youth with higher education. These two cadres will be required not only for powering the manufacturing and services sector of India but also for fulfilling the human resource requirements of various countries,” he said.