Agriculture & Industry shall run together : V. Naidu

While addressing a gathering after giving away The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence, in Mumbai, The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Agriculture and industry shall be looked at as the two eyes of our economy. Dignitaries , Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley, the Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Jayant Sinha were present at the occasion.

The Vice President said that India’s dream built on the aspirations of about 130 crore Indians can be fulfilled if only every Indian and every business or corporate entity is enabled to express their potential to the fullest potential. He further said that the winners of The Economic Times Awards are trail-blazers in their respective areas. HE further congratulated the winners. The Vice President specially congratulated his friend and long-time colleague Shri Arun Jaitley, a winner this year. Shri Arun Ji has been passionately associated with the efforts to enable full manifestation of the freedom of economic expression over the last three and a half years and richly deserves this honour, he added.

The Vice President said that the Government and businesses must act as partners to spur economic growth. He further said that Government should act as a facilitator by adopting investment-friendly measures, and at the same time, businesses have certain responsibilities and must strive to promote ethical corporate governance. India Inc. and the Indian State should collectively work towards efficient capital management & ensure this so that every asset of ours becomes a performing asset, he added.

The Vice President said that bold reforms with clear vision and purpose have to be implemented with missionary zeal, unmindful of temporary setbacks. He further said that while reforms are the need of the hour, we need to focus on inclusive growth and bridging disparities. Catalyzing farm sector is the key to economic growth, he added.

The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence are prestigious business awards celebrates entrepreneurship and salute excellence. They recognize, not just success, but the effort behind that success. They stand testimony to the dynamism and competitiveness of India’s corporate sector. They serve as a source of inspiration for the millions of entrepreneurs dreaming to make it big in the country.

Entrepreneurs bring investment and create jobs. Without investment and jobs, there can be no economic growth. It is the responsibility of the governments to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship to flourish and private investment to grow. The Governments, both at the Centre and in the States, over the years have been doing so in different degrees. Government and businesses must act as partners to spur economic growth. Government should act as a facilitator for businesses to thrive by adopting appropriate and investment-friendly measures, which are in the best interests of the country.

At the same time, businesses have certain responsibilities and must strive to promote ethical corporate governance. A country like India where majority of the population belongs to agricultural sector, shall encourage the new initiatives which could bring agriculture, processing and marketing at a common stand.