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when our independence was snatched away. for knowledge and knowledge for all.
No one, I may add, travels thousands of miles Notwithstanding the tremendous pressure
to conquer a poor country. Statistics published of an adverse external environment, our
by contemporary international scholars are economy today is more resilient and confident.
proof for sceptics. In 1750, seven years before Two decades of steady economic reforms have
the fateful battle of Plassey, India had 24.5% contributed to improvement in average income
of World Manufacturing Output while United and consumption levels in both rural and urban
Kingdom had only 1.9%. In other words, one areas. There is new found dynamism in some
in every four goods on the world market was of the most backward areas bringing them into
manufactured in India. By 1900, India had been national economic mainstream. Yet there are
left with only 1.7% of World Manufacturing several gaps that need to be bridged. Much has
Output and Britain had risen to 18.5%. The been done, a lot more remains to be done.
western industrial revolution was in its incipient Institutions are the visible pillars of our
stages in the 18th century, but even in this Constitution. They are the interface between
regard India slipped from 7 to 1 in per capita principles and the people. Our institutions may
industrialisation in that period, while Britain have suffered from the weariness of time; the
vaulted from 10 to 100. Between 1900 and 1947 answer is not to destroy what has been built, but
India’s economic growth was an annual average to re-engineer them so that they become stronger
of 1%. From such depths we climbed, first, to 3% than before. Institutions are the guardians of our
growth, and then took a quantum leap forward: liberty.
today, despite two great international crises that Democracy is a shared process. We all win or
rocked the world and some domestic dips, we lose together. Democratic temper calls for dignity
have posted an average growth rate of more than of behaviour and tolerance of contrary views.
8% over the last seven years. Old fires that threaten the stability of our
If our economy has achieved critical mass, nation have not been fully doused; the ash
then it must become a launching pad for the next continues to smoulder. Our minorities need
leap. We need a second freedom struggle; this solace, understanding and protection from
time to ensure that India is free for ever from aggression. Violence is not an option; violence is
hunger, disease and poverty. an invitation to greater violence. We need peace
We are a nation that is becoming younger for a new economic surge that eliminates the
both in age and spirit; this is an opportunity competitive causes of violence.
as well as a challenge. The young thirst for If there is one man in history whose name
knowledge that will lift their skills; and for is synonymous with peace, then it is Gandhiji,
opportunity that will put India on the fast track the architect of our independence. India is a
to the first world. They have the character; they land of plenty inhibited by poverty; India has an
need the chance. Education is the seed; and enthralling, uplifting civilization that sparkles
economy is the fruit. Provide good education; not only in our magnificent art, but also in the
disease, hunger and poverty will recede. As I said enormous creativity and humanity of our daily
in my acceptance speech, our motto must be: All life in city and village.