The former President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on Tuesday urged management professionals to work with integrity to help develop the nation. Calling for an inclusive growth, he asked management students and professionals to take “the less trodden path” to ensure development for those living at the bottom of the social pyramid.
“Not just economic prosperity, social prosperity must also be there to ensure that we be a nation where the urban and rural divide is reduced to a thin line,” Mr Kalam said while addressing a seminar on “India's Emergence as an Economic Superpower” organised by the Calcutta Management Association here today.
Citing examples of ITC, ICICI Bank, Unilver and other organisations – that have successfully offered solutions to the rural people with a profitable business model – Mr Kalam urged professionals to come up with “innovation pioneered successful business models” that would elevate the quality of life of people living below the poverty line (BPL).
“Innovation and business models should focus at the bottom of the social pyramid and convert problems into business opportunities. Think not what you can take but what you can give to the society,” he said.
According to the former President cited the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) scheme as the only system at present for sustained development in rural areas.
He added that the pre-requisites for India to develop as a super power includes the need for quality healthcare, education, safe drinking water, freedom from corruption and curbing of crimes against women and children.