Remarkable Revival: Vice President Lauds India’s Economic Growth While Addressing Demographic Issues

Thiruvananthapuram, March 2 (NationPress) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday praised India’s economic revival while also pointing out some serious demographic challenges that the nation is experiencing.

During the fourth P. Parameswaran Memorial Lecture themed ‘Democracy, Demography, Development, and the Future of Bharat’, the Vice President remarked: The theme compels me to reflect on the nation’s current state. There was a period, which I witnessed as a parliament member in 1989 and a union minister in 1990-91, characterized by an atmosphere of discouragement and concern.

He noted that today, India is filled with optimism and potential, brimming with hope and aspirations.

“Everywhere you look, an ecosystem of hope and opportunity prevails, making it the brightest spot for investment on the global stage. Over the past decade, the nation has witnessed a remarkable economic upturn. Our position has improved from 11th place a decade ago in terms of economic size; we have covered significant distance, overcoming various challenges, and enhancing the system’s transparency and accountability,” he stated.

The Vice President emphasized that India is currently the 5th largest economy in the world and is on track to become a 4 trillion-dollar economy soon, with an average growth rate of approximately 8% during this period.

“Bharat is recognized as the fastest-growing global economy in the last decade, receiving accolades from prestigious global institutions like the IMF and the World Bank. The World Bank has praised our extensive digitization and technological advancement, which is now acknowledged as a tangible reality. Moreover, infrastructure development has significantly transformed our landscape. Whether it’s on land, sea, air, or space, our achievements are a source of immense pride. Each year, we add four new airports and one metro system, while daily additions include 14 kilometers of highways and 6 kilometers of railways,” he claimed.

The Vice President highlighted the extensive reach of technological advancements, noting that 85 million individuals benefit from housing initiatives, 330 million are covered by health care, and 29 million small businesses receive loans annually.

“The government supports these initiatives through affirmative policies and innovative programs. We are achieving more than we have in space exploration, with significant advancements in lunar and Mars missions, medical science, and vaccine production, positioning the nation as a hub for semiconductors, engineering, and manufacturing,” he remarked.

The Vice President stressed the importance of demography and cautioned against equating it with majoritarianism, stating that society cannot be split into opposing camps.

“Our country is confronted with serious demographic issues. The evolution of demographics must be organic, natural, and harmonious; only then can it reflect our unity and diversity. However, if demographic shifts occur in a disruptive manner, it raises significant concerns. If artificial demographic changes are pursued to enhance a specific demographic with the aim of achieving progress, then alarm bells should ring. This is occurring, and it is evident. We stand at a critical juncture where we cannot afford to ignore this destabilizing trend,” he asserted.

Discussing India’s progress, Dhankhar emphasized the significant changes in rural regions, illustrating the transformative impact on a nation of 1.4 billion.

The Vice President highlighted that government efforts are ensuring that benefits reach the most marginalized, irrespective of caste, religion, or socio-economic status.

“We are striving to ensure that assistance reaches those at the very bottom of the socio-economic ladder without any discrimination based on qualification, race, religion, caste, or color. This is being successfully accomplished,” he noted.

Dhankhar honored P. Parameswaran, referring to him as a prominent intellectual and ideologue of Hindu philosophy in this era.

“His steadfast commitment to Bharatiya values, profound understanding of Indian culture, and relentless pursuit of national unity continue to inspire subsequent generations. His vision for a self-reliant, culturally rich, and spiritually awakened Bharat resonates deeply across the nation,” he commented.

The Vice President highlighted the importance of acknowledging historical figures who have contributed to India’s advancement, stating, “A civilization is defined by how it honors its great sons. In recent years, we have been bringing to light our forgotten, unsung, and unseen heroes.”

He also expressed concerns regarding illegal immigration, stating that millions of unauthorized migrants pose threats to national security, employment, healthcare, and education.

“Illegal migrants impose demands on our employment, health, and education sectors and influence electoral dynamics. Unchecked migration also jeopardizes our cultural identity. We must act decisively to address these demographic disruptions,” he emphasized.

Dhankhar further addressed the issue of religious conversions, stating that they should not be driven by greed, temptation, or the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

“India champions the fundamental right to freedom of religion, a legacy from our civilizational heritage. However, if this right is exploited through coercion, it must not be tolerated. Assisting those in need should not serve as a pretext for conversion,” he stated.

He characterized orchestrated, financially supported conversion efforts as a grave concern.

“Despite my best efforts to convey this, I cannot fully express the magnitude of the challenges posed by these systematic conversion initiatives,” he added.

The Vice President also commented on the rising polarization in politics, noting that national and civilizational values are increasingly sidelined in political discourse.

He urged Parliament to embody a model of dialogue, debate, discussion, and deliberation, akin to the Constituent Assembly that formulated India’s Constitution.

“Today, instead of constructive discussion and debate, we are witnessing disruptions and disturbances. Parliament must convert the aspirations of the populace into reality,” he concluded.