The Hindu Business Line : Meeting health, education needs key to growth: Sam Pitroda

Chennai, Jan. 8 India must address the challenge of illiteracy, access to education and healthcare to truly emerge a global power, according to Mr Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Knowledge Commission.

Addressing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2009 here on Thursday, he said these basic human needs will have to be addressed more than issues of industry and stock market for India to emerge as a global power.

The Indian diaspora across the world can make a significant contribution in India. Indians overseas need to play a bigger role in developing the social sector, infrastructure and skilled human resource. India’s success in the telecommunication sector has been globally recognised and this has given the country the confidence and standing, he said.

‘Revamp education’

Prof. Sugata Bose, Director, South Asia Initiative, Harvard University, said that India needs to open out its educational system to recruit staff from universities abroad and attract overseas students. The development in the education sector will decide whether the demographic advantage that India enjoys will be a dividend or a liability.

The educational system has to be revamped to bring in new talent and modern systems. Universities could consider conducting short term courses, ‘monsoon semesters’, through faculty from universities abroad, Prof Bose said.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, urged people of Indian origin abroad to spread the message that developing countries are for free but fair trade. India is concerned that with the global economic meltdown, developed countries may tend to adopt protectionist measures to deny access to their market for products from development countries. “Protectionism is simply not the solution in tackling global recession,” he said.

The global economic and financial crisis would hit vulnerable economies among the developing countries more. Development concerns of poor countries need to be addressed to mitigate the impact of the slowdown on the global economy in the long run.

On terror attacks

Anti-terrorist wings in all countries should keep in mind the unique nature of the terror attacks in Mumbai last year. Unlike suicidal bombing, this was a murderous attack in multiple locations, with terrorists choosing to end their lives in an ‘extended manner’.

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