The Hindu Business Line : Shining India-wide

The Indian economy is on a high-growth trajectory, with industrial majors adding sizeable wealth to their own and the investors' kitties. There is a lot of activity in the mergers and acquisitions arena too, not only among seasoned industrialists and big companies but between such first-generation entrepreneurs too.

These positive aspects, no doubt, project a good image of the country worldwide and drive bull-runs on the bourses. But the market alone does not make up the economy. Chronic starvation, malnutrition and disease among vast numbers in the poorer sections have to be addressed and resolved with some urgency if the gains of economic growth are to be truly equitable. Maybe, the successful corporates can think in terms of adopting backward districts and setting up factories there to provide greater employment to the rural people. Instead of flocking to already congested cities, industrialists can go to the villages, and try to minimise the economic imbalances of various regions. As Gandhi observed, the future of India lies in the villages. As the Prime Minister has exhorted, it is time these billionaires and trillionaires think in terms of giving something back to society.

B. N. Bharath

Bangalore

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