Fruits of economic growth should reach all: Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today said fruits of economic growth should reach all sections of society to maintain sustainable development.

While addressing the 67th convocation of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences here this evening, Mr Shekhawat urged social workers and social science researchers to lead a movement for building a social ethos that promotes sensitivity towards the poor and the deprived.

To maintain sustainable and consistent development, the biggest challenge before the country is the underdevelopment and social exclusion of the deprived lot from the economic growth, the Vice-President said.

''While the country is on the threshold of global supremacy, large parts of India are in the grips of social and economic distress,'' he added.

Quoting statistics, he said about 26 crore people in the country still live below the poverty line without any basic amenities.

He emphasised that the content of growth and development is more important than the measurement in GDP which brings out all inclusive development -- a growth that uplifts the poor and the deprived sections of the society.

UNI