New Delhi, Outlining the national developmental journey at a book release function here, President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said that as a nation, India was set to take off.

“The global community is upbeat about the India story. Foreign Direct Investment is rising. Our relations with developed economies and strategic partners are strong and robust. We are seen as a country that is rapidly simplifying the environment for doing business,’’ he said.

The President was speaking at a function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here where he received the first copy of the book, “Making of New India” from Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who released the book published by Shyama Prasad Mookherjee Reserach Foundation and Wisdom Tree. It has articles by 51 authors on development, governance, infrastructure, provision of goods and services and external relations. It is edited by economist Bibek Debroy, Anibran Ganguly and Kishore Desai.

The President said that contemporary governance had played a vital role in giving shape and form to an all-inclusive idea of “New India”.

“Inclusiveness is more than just a slogan. The government has taken this philosophy to the centre of its policy making,’’ he said.

“Numerous measures have been taken to ensure that socio-economic groups, communities and regions that had so far been left behind in the India growth story are mainstreamed in a holistic manner. This government has begun some foundational programmes and made a determined attempt to decisively defeat poverty and lift the lives of millions who have hitherto not got the facilities and services that they deserved.’’

He pointed out that it would, however, be incorrect to say that the development journey had been that of the government alone. The zeal with which ordinary citizens had participated also needed to be acknowledged.

“It has been heartening to see people voluntarily let go of subsidies and financial benefits so that the deserving and the truly needy can avail and access a life of dignity. It is common to see people selflessly doing shramdaan to change the status quo. It is this enthusiastic contribution by citizens of our country that is enabling rapid transformation,’’ he said.

“The fruits of government efforts and people’s collaboration or jan bhagidari are now visible. From an economic perspective, we are among the fastest growing major economies. Our macro-economic indicators are sound. Infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports and ports are being constructed or upgraded at a quick pace. All villages in the country are now electrified. Soon, all households will have electricity. Common citizens can access medical insurance for their families. Most have mobile phones and access to banking services.”

“With so many parts moving dynamically, it is often difficult to put all these pieces together and to comprehend the bigger picture. It is here that the value of a book such as the one released today becomes clear. By weaving together an assessment of various policies and programmes, it provides its readers a multidimensional view of the national development journey,’’ he pointed out.

Earlier Mr Jaitley said, “In 2014, the situation looked challenging because at the time we were falling off the global radar—there was policy paralysis, reverse flow of investment and one had to restore economy. We did that.”

He said during the current regime not only did the pool of central revenue go up, infrastructure development and discretionary quotas went out but a larger kitty was created for states, enabling them to improve the delivery system.

Mr Jaitley said under Modi government infrastructure was higher, there is ease of doing business, elimination of charges of corruption in decision making and large part of the resource that has been generated has gone to deprived sections.

Stating that India was the fastest growing economy, Mr Jaitley said if the country has to grow faster growth has to come from rural areas that are lagging and the north eastern region.

He said that an exponential growth in the purchasing power of the middle class and the aspirational class has to be watched along with the global environment. “”Trade will grow and government will blend its resources with welfare programmes.’’