10 Aug 2021
India will mark its 75th Independence Day on August 15, 2022, making this year’s Independence Day a special one. In the run-up to this milestone, the Government of India is celebrating the occasion with the clarion call of Hon’ble Prime Minister for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to build a new Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It is a people’s movement (jan andolan) to promote inclusive and equitable development for all.
In alignment with this, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organising the CII Annual Meeting 2021 on 11-12 August 2021 on the theme- “India@75: Government and Business working together for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister, would be the Chief Guest and deliver the Inaugural Keynote Address at the CII Annual Meeting 2021.
Before we delve into the details of Annual Meeting 2021, let us quickly glance over India’s journey and the genesis of India@75.
India’s Transformation
India today is amongst the world’s leading economies. The journey to join this club has not been an easy one. It has gone through some tremendous socio-economic structural changes to be where it is. From the gross domestic product (GDP) of Rs 2,939 billion during 1950-51, it stands at Rs 1,35,127 billion in 2020-21 (2011-12 constant prices). It has been a commutative contribution by the government, industry, and above all, the society to make India one of the fastest-growing economies of the world.
To make India further excel in its tremendous ride, CII envisaged the idea of ‘India@75’ to transform the lives of a billion-plus people.
India@75: The Genesis
The journey began in 2008 by undertaking a pan India collaborative public reasoning exercise to capture people’s aspiration of an India at 75th year of its independence in the year 2022.
Ten broad areas were clubbed into the following seven themes for the building of New India:
Government and Business working together for Atmanirbhar Bharat
The CII Annual Meeting 2021 will enable the industry to reinforce its role in national development under the rubric of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The convention will encapsulate the many elements of the Government’s mission under Aatmannirbhar Bharat. The key tracks proposed to be covered during the CII Annual Meeting 2021 are as below:
1. Economic growth: India through its massive vaccination program, intensive policy reforms, and key development campaigns and initiatives is set to be the world’s fastest-growing economy over the medium term. With a series of major policies for disinvestment, asset monetization, and private sector participation, economic growth can lift off to the next level on a sustained basis.
2. Sustainability: India has taken a strong position in sustainable growth models and is on track to meet its international commitments in tackling climate change. Industry and communities, in general, must come together to ensure the success of these initiatives in the coming days.
3. Technology and innovation: In a rapidly changing world, technology has entered the domains of Government, industry, and society at large, creating many new opportunities for growth, employment, and connectivity.
4. Livelihood and skills: Multiple initiatives have been unfurled for creating jobs and raising incomes, including skill development at scale and entrepreneurship development through converging initiatives such as the MUDRA scheme, Startup India, Standup India, Skill India, etc. Going forward, livelihood and skills will define India’s growth path.
5. Healthcare and education: With healthcare insurance, vaccination program, and partnership approach in tackling COVID-19 as the new pivots of India’s healthcare agenda, the sector is not just of critical importance for the wellbeing of citizens but also presents an innovative new opportunity. Education too is set for transformation under the new National Education Policy announced in 2020.
6. Infrastructure: Physical and soft infrastructure is underway on a huge scale in India through the National Infrastructure Pipeline announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package. Connectivity through highways and i-ways will be central to the nation’s progress.
7. India@75: As India turns 75, we need to prepare for our future and to strategize for expanding inclusion by strengthening volunteerism and involve all citizens in growth. The vision for India beyond 2022 can be developed through a participative stakeholder approach.
The above areas are of strategic intent for the Government, and a proactive and strong partnership of industry is required to enable these areas to be the next growth drivers of the country.
The CII Annual Meeting 2021 will reinforce the industry’s role in development, growth, employment, and sustainability. It would enable a close and deep dialogue between the Government and industry to chart the future course of India.
To join the CII Annual Meeting 2021, contact: annualmeeting@cii.in or watch it on CII’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/FollowCII
