Pranab Mukherjee is not happy with India's economic growth; Here's why

Pranab Mukherjee expressed grief over current economic growth of the country and stated that India should have been a five to six trillion US dollar economy by now.

Mukherjee was addressing a seminar at Greenwood High International School in Bengaluru. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Former President and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday expressed grief over the current economic growth of the country and stated that India should have been a five to six trillion US dollar economy by now. Addressing a seminar at the Greenwood High International School in Bengaluru, Mukherjee said, “Today, the Indian economy is worth 2.268 trillion US dollar. I am not satisfied. As a former Finance Minister, I think we should have done much more progress. It should have been five to six trillion US dollar economy.” However, the veteran Congress leader appreciated the milestones achieved by the country in the field of science and technology. “We are the only country till today out of 184 members of the United Nations, who succeeded in sending its orbiter to Mars in its very first attempt,” Mukherjee said further in his speech. While talking to more than 5,000 students here, Mukherjee also stressed on the fact that youth of the country will help India become a global economic power. “Yes, you can do it and you alone can do it,” he said while interacting with one of the students. Further speaking about the importance of education in development of the country, former President, who was a teacher before joining politics, said that a better education system can lead to the achievement of distributive justice. We are all equal before our Mother India, he added. Further encouraging students to pursue more holistic education, Mukherjee said that there is no end to education and learning helps in expanding our horizon in order to reach new heights. Recalling India's progress from the time when it was not able to even manufacture a fountain pen during the colonial era, Mukherjee said the 71 years of independence and 68 years of planning resulted in India rising to become one of the largest economies. “We are the third military power of the world,” he said. Mukherjee highlighted the country's achievements in science and technology besides space research.