Motihari: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday stressed the need to raise India's per capita income eightfold in order to achieve the goal of "Viksit Bharat" (developed India) by 2047. He made this statement during his address at the second convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Motihari. Dhankhar said while India was currently the world's fifth-largest economy, the country must continue progressing rapidly, leaving nations like Germany and Japan behind.
Dhankhar expressed hope that India's journey toward becoming the third-largest economy globally is well on track under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendera Modi. He lauded the govt's efforts in eradicating corruption and reducing the influence of middlemen over the last decade. Dhankhar pointed out that these developments have garnered global attention and India is now seen as a prominent destination for investment.
Addressing the students at the convocation, Dhankhar urged them to contribute to the nation's growth by engaging in local production and innovation. He encouraged the students to take on startup ventures with dedication, thus contributing to the vision of a developed India. He also spoke about the importance of technology, which he identified as a key strength in reaching the target of a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.
The Vice President, who was accompanied by Bihar governor Rajendra Arlekar and local MP Radha Mohan Singh, also spoke about state's progress under CM Nitish Kumar's leadership. Without naming Kumar, Dhankhar acknowledged the strides made in the state, recalling his own experiences as an MP when Kumar served as a Union minister.
In the ceremony, 443 degrees were awarded, including 47 PhDs and 40 gold medals. Dhankhar, who also visited the newly constructed Charkha Park near the Gandhi Smarak, encouraged youth to take ownership of the nation's future. He also stressed the importance of individual actions, urging people to plant saplings as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which is aimed at making a substantial environmental impact.