Preface
In the recent Indian history, very
rarely have we come across a situation like that which exists now. We
have an ascending economic trajectory, continuously rising foreign
exchange reserves and global recognition of our technological
competence. We also have the energy of 540 million youth, the
connectivity of 20 million people of Indian origin in various parts of
the planet, and the interest shown by many developed countries to
invest in our engineers, scientists and other professionals including
setting up of new research and development centres in India. The
government is committed to economic development by ensuring a growth
rate of 7 to 8 per cent annually, enhancing the welfare of the farmers
and workers, and unleashing the creativity of the entrepreneurs,
businesspersons, scientists, engineers and other productive forces of
the society.
Our book India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium is all the more
important now, when the youth has tremendous opportunities to work in
various important knowledge sectors like agriculture, industry, and
information and communication technology.
When India 2020 was published in 1998, the original English edition
became a best-seller, as did the Tamil edition. These two editions have
together sold more than 2,20,000 copies. The book has subsequently been
translated into nine other Indian languages, as well as Chinese,
Serbian, Croatian and Sinhalese.
I have received hundreds of letters and emails from people saying that
this book gave them a mission and the boldness to act. People from all
walks of life use it as reference material. Institutions have taken
inspiration to start small- and large- scale industries. This book has
become part of syllabus in some universities and schools. Other authors
and editors have quoted from it extensively.
This students' edition, Mission India, is intended primarily as a road
map for young people. It will also be useful for young entrepreneurs.
The facts, figures and tables have largely been taken from India 2020,
but have been updated and modified to suit the new readership.
The book begins with the poignant question: can India become a
developed country? The chapter analyses our strengths and weaknesses,
and concludes that we should have faith in ourselves and give our
undivided attention to the goal of making India a developed nation.
The next five chapters look at five core industries where we must
acquire a reasonable self-sufficiency over the next decade and half in
order to achieve this goal. These are agriculture and food processing;
materials and the future; chemical industries and biotechnology;
manufacturing for the future; and strategic industries. There is a lot
more that can be done to develop these industries and each chapter
looks at what we must aim for each area.
The seventh chapter discusses the services sector and the Indian
education system. It emphasizes the need for inputs relating to
research and inquiry, creativity and entrepreneurship in our
educational system to make a attitudinal change in the young minds, and
looks at the latest technology tools that can be used to take quality
education to all corners of the country.
The eighth and ninth chapters, 'Healthcare for All' and 'The Enabling
Infrastructure' deal with two aspects which are the sine qua non of a
developed nation. These chapters look at the present conditions in
these vital areas and analyse what has to be done to achieve a new
dimension. Also given are examples of the role played by emerging
technologies in these vital sectors.
The last chapter, 'Realizing the Vision', takes a final look at the
trends seen in India's development today. It outlines how every
individual and organization can play a role in reaching our goal. This
chapter, we believe, is crucial for everybody to decide on what she/he
can do for this great mission of transforming India into a developed
nation.
I would like to dedicate this book to all those Indians who believe that we can achieve the goal of Developed India Vision 2020.
My greetings and best wishes to you all.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
February 2005
Contents
PREFACE (vi)
CAN INDIA BECOME A DEVELOPED COUNTRY? (1)
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING (13)
MATERIALS AND THE FUTURE (23)
CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (37)
MANUFACTURING FOR THE FUTURE (46)
STRATEGIC INDUSTRIES (55)
THE SERVICES SECTOR AND THE INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM (64)
HEALTHCARE FOR ALL (76)
THE ENABLING INFRASTRUCTURE (84)
REALIZING THE VISION (95)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (104)
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