Pics: Merryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 3: “Even before the world saw what could be done through private medical care, Mangaluru region has not only spoken about private medical care but has also established private medical field and drew attention for health care and health education. Many times this region has also shown very strong private banking communities which have been strongly established. Agricultural strength of this land is unbelievable. So even at the time of regulatory mechanism and license quota raj were breathing down on skills and entrepreneurship, the entire Konkan coast has shown its entrepreneur skills which have never been stifled and controlled. To give the spirit of entrepreneurship is the dream of PM Narendra Modi”, said minister of State for Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Nirmala Sitharaman.
She was speaking in a programme titled as ‘Commerce Policy for Future India’ organized by the Mangaluru Initiative for Nationalist Dialogue here at Sanghanikethan on Saturday January 3.
About Mangaluru, she said, “My family has a close association with this region. Lot of things which I talk in the commerce policy have its root and spirit in Mangaluru. I have been related to this region from my childhood. My family worked with eminent citizen of this region Sri TA Pai. Whenever I come to this region, I take his name because my family has derived lots of inspiration from him”.
She further said, “If the people are suffering from economic regulations, it is because sometimes, these regulations lead to corruption. We are here to remove each of these obstacles to make you flourish back again with your original spirit. That is the essence of commerce policy which Prime Minister has put forth. We are also looking at various ways to enhance commerce policies with the state governments without any discrimination. We want to see the policy work all over India. Team India will see that the commerce policies are effective not only at the centre but with state governments along with the stake holders. All of them together can execute the commerce policies drafted by all of us”.
“‘Make in India’ an international marketing campaigning slogan coined by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi was launched after defining what work it would perform. This campaign is not about giving money but it is about creating and tapping a mindset and the spirit of entrepreneurial skills that the country always had. No body should hesitate to do one’s own business. To keep the spirit alive, we explained the mindset that was set from past 60 years which was controlled and regulated. And with compliance and due diligence, people should progress in their entrepreneurial skills. When ‘Make in India’ was launched in September, it clearly stated to change the mindset of people”.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises contribute 8% of the GDP of this country. Around 40% contribution comes from trade. More importantly, small and medium-sized enterprises provide jobs for 60 million Indians”.
“Growth without having any impact on job creation, growth without sharing the benefits with people who need jobs will not be able to generate the demand in the market. From many years, we have been told by the government that we are growing. This is not reflected in terms of job creations. This will not be the situation now”, she added.
“‘Make in India’ campaign of the union government will be successful when the state governments work in coordination. Many things were taken into consideration before implementing the campaign. The chief ministers from various states were brought into consultation along with several ministries at the centre”.
She further said, “Former PM Manmohan Singh had himself stated that the time has come to change the planning commission and nature of its functioning. Every step that is undertaken by the present government has its impact on commerce. Commerce and economics are leading the political and diplomatic relations. In India commerce activities should perform, lead and take the economy and make India a powerful economic force”.
Praveen Pai MD of Hangiyo Ice cream, N Vishal Hegde trusty of Nitte, Shamala Shenoy chairman of IICA and Konkody Padmanabh chairman of CAMPCO among others were present on the occasion.
Advisor of citizen council, Survath Kumar welcomed the gathering.