The Government of Odisha has received the “Kalam Innovation in Governance Award 2019” for its work in Skill Development recently.
The award was presented by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu during the 3rd Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Summit on Innovation and Governance 2019, organised by the Kalam Centre last week.
Also present on the occasion were former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan; the DGDIA & Deputy Chiefs of Integrated Defence staff (DCIDS), Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, Lt Gen Amarjeet Singh Bedi; the Minister for Art & Culture, Tribal Affairs and Civil Supplies, Goa, Govind Gaude; the Chief Secretary of Gujarat, Dr Jagdip Narayan Singh and other dignitaries.
In his address, the Vice-President stressed on the challenges India is facing presently, of which rural-urban divide is one. He stressed on the need for development in the rural areas of India.
Stating there is a clear perception that bulk of India’s challenge and opportunity lies in the rural hinterlands of the nation, the Vice-President said: “While the cities and urban centres have seen a growth led by services and manufacturing sectors, the village economy relies mostly on agriculture. The critical challenge is to deploy the best possible ideas in the innovation-led development of the rural areas of the nation – where 60 per cent of its population lives.”
The Vice President also mentioned that rural development has been the priority of the Government.
He said unless the country’s growth is all inclusive, it would not achieve its true meaning. “From Ujjwala Yojna to Fasal Bima Yojna and now with the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, rural development has always been the priority of the government.
Stating that today, nearly every single village is connected to electricity. Growth would not have real meaning unless it touches the lives of people living in rural areas, the Vice-President said: “Growth has to be inclusive and all amenities available in urban areas need to be provided in the rural areas as advocated by the former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam under the PURA concept.”
He also stated that India’s economy has consistently recorded a growth rate of over seven percent in last few years and India is the fastest growing major economy.
“We are moving in the right trajectory and India is set to become the third largest economy in the world in the next 10-15 years. To achieve that goal, we need to ensure that India performs exceptionally well on all fronts from agriculture to manufacturing and infrastructure,” Naidu stated.
The Vice-President, on the occasion, also released 75 new Kalam Digital Libraries across the country. These libraries will serve as centers for free digital-based learning in schools.
“I am happy to note that today we are also starting new Kalam Digital Libraries spread across India and many of these libraries are connecting with us via internet today,” the Vice-President said, adding: “I am told that these Kalam Libraries will be serving as centres for no-cost digital-based learning in schools and children observatories across India. I am happy to note this mission of Dr Kalam is being spread via technology.”
“I believe, like Dr Kalam, that governance is key, performance is the only touchstone for real progress. Ideas have to be translated into tangible realities,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Kalam Innovation in Governance Award 2019 was presented to individuals and institutions for their contribution towards improving the government and delivering value to the citizens. The awards were given in various categories such as: Education, Healthcare, Sanitation and Nutrition, Security and Safety, Environment, Women & Child Welfare, Banking, Economics & Finance, Rural Development & Agriculture, International Contribution, Technology, IT & Enterprise, Innovation among others.
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