Vision 2020
Vision 2020
The Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) concept envisages creating rural wealth and prosperity by integrating urban amenities into rural settings. This is done through a ring-shaped model that connects several villages, facilitating easy access and reducing costs. PURA aims to enhance rural quality of life and address urban congestion. By providing infrastructure such as education, healthcare, and power, managed by entrepreneurs and small industries in partnership with government, PURA seeks to accelerate rural development, bridging the urban-rural divide and empowering rural citizens .
The five key areas identified in the 10th Five Year Plan—agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, infrastructure development, ICT, and critical technologies—are deeply interconnected in supporting India's development goals. Improvements in agriculture and food processing ensure food security and rural prosperity, creating a stable foundation for other areas. Education and healthcare enhance human capital, necessary for technological and industrial progress. Reliable infrastructure underpins all economic activities and ICT facilitates innovations in these sectors, contributing directly to national wealth. Progress in critical technologies, like nuclear and space, ensures strategic independence and self-reliance. Thus, these areas collectively aim to transform socio-economic conditions, leading to sustained national development .
Creative leaders are pivotal in achieving the vision of a developed India as they are seen as change agents who can transform traditional roles; from commanders to coaches and from managers to mentors. They facilitate self-respect and empower others to innovate and take risks. Such leaders are expected to ignite young minds and build effective teams, thus driving the vision forward even in challenging times. Quality leadership promotes a motivated environment necessary for realizing the nation's potential, by aligning personal goals with national development objectives .
The question posed by the Class V student in Nagaland encapsulated a desire for a 'happy, prosperous, peaceful and safe India,' reflecting the broader national aspirations of development and security. It was significant because it highlighted the general concerns and hopes of the future generation, seeking guidance not only on what the country's leaders would do but also what the citizens themselves could contribute towards achieving these goals. This mirrors a collective consciousness in India that seeks transformation into a developed nation, acknowledging that both leadership and citizen participation are crucial .
Biotechnology was identified as a key sector due to India's rich biodiversity and potential for value addition. The strategic importance lies in transforming raw bio-resources into economic assets through advanced R&D, potentially increasing India's market share in the global biotech industry. However, challenges included creating infrastructure for R&D, protecting intellectual property, and enhancing value chain integration. The sector faced intense competition and the necessity to bridge significant technological gaps. Developing these competencies required strategic policy support and investment in scientific education and infrastructure .
India's civilizational heritage, marked by its ability to absorb diverse cultures and ideas, is seen as a significant asset in its transformation into a developed nation. This heritage fosters a society that values peace, tolerance, and adaptability, which can translate into a stable and innovative social structure. The vision for 2020 emphasized turning religious forces into spiritual forces, thereby promoting a harmonious environment conducive to economic and social development. By leveraging its historical capacity for cultural synthesis, India has the potential to create a unique mode of progress that integrates traditional values with modern advancements .
Self-reliance in critical technologies like nuclear, space, and defense was envisioned to strengthen India's economic security by reducing dependency on imports and thus saving foreign exchange. Strategic autonomy in these areas ensures that India can defend its interests and maintain sovereignty in international affairs. Technological advancements would lead to industry growth, create high-value jobs, and facilitate the growth of indigenous enterprises. Such self-reliance was expected to foster technological innovations that could be commercialized and exported, boosting national income and contributing significantly to GDP growth .
The vision for India 2020 identifies human resources as a core strength due to the large young population, with 700 million individuals under the age of 35. This demographic is seen as vital for driving national development. The plan proposes cultivating quality leaders to inspire and motivate young minds, fostering creativity and innovation. By equipping youth with education and skills, and encouraging leadership roles, the vision aims to transform India into a knowledge society and develop its potential in technology and industry, thus supporting economic and social growth .
The vision for a developed India by 2020 aligns with global trends by emphasizing the transition to a knowledge-based economy, where information technology, biotechnology, and space technology are key drivers. Recognizing that knowledge, rather than capital or labor, is the primary resource, the vision leverages ICT to improve efficiency and productivity across sectors. It aligns with global economic shifts where technology underpins economic development, suggesting the need for India to enhance its IT sector's GDP contribution. By focusing on core competencies like information security, educational technology, and e-governance, India aims to integrate into the global technological and economic landscape .
Information technology was envisaged as a cornerstone of India's transformation into a developed nation by 2020. It was expected to enrich lives through IT-driven products, improve productivity, and contribute significantly to GDP. The vision was that by enhancing the ICT sector's role in areas like e-governance, connectivity, and education, India could foster economic growth and social inclusion. However, the challenge lay in significantly increasing ICT's contribution from 2% to closer to 25% of GDP, as seen in developed nations. This required strategic investments and policies to build a robust IT infrastructure and support innovation .