140 Crore people are driving the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision. When the government started working on the idea, lakhs of people gave their suggestions, and based on that, India made its goals for the next 25 years.
This is the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of the world is linked with AI. For the world, AI is artificial intelligence but for India, it is Aspirational India. India has started the AI mission this year. We are increasing the use of AI in every sector.
We are making decisions after considering everyone’s aspirations. It is important to connect aspirations in India. We have focused on air travel and started the UDAAN scheme. We worked on two pillars – building airports in tier 2 and 3 cities and making air travel affordable. Over 3 lakh flights have taken off under the UDAAN scheme. Many flights connect the small cities. Now there are over 150 airports in India.
In the last 8-9 years, the participation of Indian universities has increased. Patent applications are at an all-time high. Over 2,500 research centres of companies across the world are located in India. We are taking the lead in giving a vision for the global future.
During Covid, we could have earned millions of dollars by selling drugs, but we did not do that. It is not a part of our tradition. We chose to help the countries and supplied medicines and vaccines to nations, which helped many. We don’t make “taken-for-granted” relations with nations.
The world celebrated the Chandrayaan mission. When India grows, the world feels happy. India’s growth will benefit the world. India drove the world’s growth in the past but during colonialism, we could not. Now, we are independent and are ready to drive the growth.
I met Paul Romer several times. He has appreciated India’s digital infrastructure. The world is amazed to see India’s DPI. We didn’t have the first-mover advantage. We have democratised tech and given DPI a new path. India has shown the world that digital innovation and democracy can coexist.
This period is the most important in the 21st century. We need stability, and sustenance for growth and India is working on it. Our third term gives a message of stability.
Climate change is a problem in the world and we are trying to take a lead in that. In the world’s fight against global warming, our contribution is insignificant but we are working on reducing carbon emissions and green energy. We are also working on solutions.
Like the India-Middle East global corridor, mission millets, and global solar alliance. Initiatives taken by India are a solution to problems. We would aim to ensure that India’s century is the world’s century.