India needs a roadmap for inclusive growth, says President Patil

New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil on Monday said that the country needs to have a roadmap for inclusive growth to ensure social justice, which is possible through an effective social sector infrastructure.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 61st Republic Day, President Patil said: "It (roadmap) should make quality education and good health facilities available to all citizens, along with social services and job opportunities and, in turn, should create a human resource base which has skills, knowledge and capacity to work productively."

Speaking about the significance of nurturing a sense of responsibility among the youth of the country, Patil said: "They can make our economy dynamic, our service sector efficient and competitive, our manufacturing industries broad based and our agriculture and allied sectors strong. Furthermore, integrating and developing linkages between sectors, say agriculture and industry, will further reinforce growth and these linkages can be fortified by having connectivity at various levels."

Stressing the need to encourage harmonious understanding among citizens of the country, Patil said: "It is also important to bridge our differences, build roads to connect hearts and minds, harbour compassion, generate goodwill towards all and transport these feelings to strengthen the unity of the nation."

Patil said that the country has to create an atmosphere for citizens to exercise their rights and tell them to perform their duties as well.

"This is important to make the development of a democratic nation of over one billion people, participatory and sustainable. In the next decade, not only must we witness the speedy building up of infrastructure, but also a greater cohesiveness among citizens," Patil said. (ANI)