Development, reforms need of the hour: Suresh Prabhu

While emphasising that development, reforms and progress are need of the hour, Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday suggested ways to bring 17% of India's total population, which is not part of economic reforms, to the main economic mainstream and open doors to development.

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday emphasised that development, reforms and progress are need of the hour, saying Indians should live the life of dignity through economic reforms.

In his interaction with IMPAR members, an apex forum formed by over 1,000 prominent Muslims of the country, Prabhu said, "All people in India are able to live the life with dignity, with such economic activities which can ensure that each one of them stood on their own feet that is what really it will make it happen."

During an interaction with the minister, HR Khan, former RBI deputy governor, said that there is an air of mistrust and distrust, partly because of reality and more because of perception.

"In a country, if 17% of the population is not part of this economic development, then obviously the country cannot develop. So, how do you bring that 17% to the main economic mainstream and put aside all this mistrust and distrust," he added.

Suggesting ways to bring these people in the mainstream, he said practice of mixed schooling, economic opportunities without religious discrimination should be practiced and to create trust, one has to think of something how to increase Muslim representation in police and policy.

Discussing the historical role of artisans, Prabhu said, "Two centuries ago, when India was the second-largest economy of the world, obviously not much industrial activity contributed to the economic growth and it was the artisans which actually made it possible."

He added that artisans were responsible for bringing real prosperity and progress to India at that time.

"Unfortunately the post-industrial revolution, particularly during the imperial time, we lost a good part of our artisanship and also their contribution to economic development. So, one of the biggest apostles till now is that how you rebuild it," he added.

Prabhu mentioned that Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now kept as a mission for all of us, will fill the gaps and bring prosperity among our artisans and they can play a major role in uplifting the economy.