New Delhi: Real economic growth is not possible without inclusion and no inclusion is possible without any growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the first Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. Reading out data across sectors ranging from internet to aviation, PM Modi said that India has been seeing growth as well as inclusion over the past few years.
Talking about the reforms undertaken by his government, PM Modi, as quoted by news agency PTI said, “Reforms are being undertaken by conviction, not compulsion; reforms are win-win choice.”
Speaking on the inclusive agenda of his government, PM Modi said, “As many as 209 new medical colleges have been built in the last 7-8 years as compared to 50 in 10 years. Nine crore free cooking gas connections have been given, 10 crore toilets constructed and 45 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts have been opened in last 8 years.”
He further spoke about the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. “India's recovery from pandemic is reflective of choosing people centric policy and not populist impulse,” PM Modi said.
While addressing the memorial lecture, the Prime Minister expressed his grief over the demise of former Japan PM Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated earlier in the day.
“It's a day of irreparable damage and unbearable pain for me today. My close friend and former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe is no longer with us. He was not only my but also India's trusted friend... I again pay my heartfelt tributes to my friend,” news agency ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
Notably, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance organised the first 'Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture' in recognition of the former union minister's invaluable contribution to the nation, a release by the PMO said.