From India becoming fastest-growing large economy in the world to the country’s rise as a soft power, India Today Group Chairman and editor-in-chief Aroon Purie spoke on a range of issues in his welcome speech for the India Today Conclave 2023. A galaxy of speakers from India and across the world will be seen at the summit, which is being held at the Taj Palace, New Delhi
India Today Group Chairman and editor-in-chief Aroon Purie spoke on a range of issues in his welcome speech for the India Today Conclave 2023. (Photo: India Today)
By India Today News Desk: India Today Group Chairman Aroon Purie kicked off the India Today Conclave 2023. Here’s his full speech:
Honoured Guests.
Good morning.
Please note my wokefulness as I am not addressing all of you in the usual prefix. We live in an age of gender diversity and an easily offended nation.
So, Honoured Guests, a warm welcome to the 20th edition of the India Today Conclave.
Nineteen years ago in this very hall, in the presence of Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, we had kicked off a 2-day conclave at which the theme was ‘Building an Indian century’. We knew the idea was aspirational but worth testing.
Surprisingly, the galaxy of speakers not only endorsed the idea but also suggested pathways to building an Indian century.
Full Coverage of Conclave 2023
That included Prime Minister Vajpayee, leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, Mukesh Ambani, Raghuram Rajan and Colin Powell – among others.
The following year the theme was India: Global Giant or Pygmy, and President Clinton, the gala night speaker, exhorted India by saying and I quote “The world cannot afford for India to be a pygmy. You have to be a giant and the right kind of giant.”
With over a fifth of the 21st century gone by; The Giant has Arrived. It is India’s Moment. From economy to geopolitics to entertainment to sports.
India’s graph is on the rise.
Let’s look at some significant developments to see how India has shaped up in this century so far.
In 2000, India’s economy was less than 5% of the US economy in dollar terms. Today it is 14%. Last year India became 5th largest economy in the world.
We are also the fastest-growing large economy in the world.
We have recently become the most populous country on the planet with 1.4 billion people, out of which 1 billion are below the age of 35. While many other countries have ageing populations.
This means we are an aspirational nation, and that signifies we are an amazing market for anybody.