New Delhi— President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said India’s “all-round economic growth, complemented by social sector initiatives,” has positioned the country firmly on the path to becoming a developed economy by 2047.
In her address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day, President Murmu noted that India has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, recording a GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent in the last fiscal year. She highlighted the “most dramatic advances” in the information technology sector during the Digital Age.
She emphasized that, despite global economic challenges, domestic demand continues to grow. “Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health. This is as much due to carefully calibrated reforms and wise economic management as it is to the hard work and dedication of our workers and farmers,” she said.
Murmu added that millions have been lifted out of poverty through good governance. The government’s welfare programs, she noted, target not only those below the poverty line but also those who have moved above it yet remain vulnerable, ensuring they do not slip back. This, she said, is reflected in rising social services spending.
On the IT front, the President pointed out that nearly all villages now have 4G connectivity, with the remainder to be covered soon. This expansion has enabled large-scale adoption of digital payments, making India a global leader in the sector. It has also bolstered the Direct Benefit Transfer system, ensuring welfare payments reach beneficiaries directly, without leakages. More than half of the world’s digital transactions take place in India, she said, adding that the growing digital economy is contributing more each year to GDP.
Looking ahead, Murmu said Artificial Intelligence is the next frontier in technology and has already begun influencing daily life. She cited the India-AI mission as a key government initiative to build AI capabilities tailored to national needs. “As we aspire to become a global AI hub by 2047, our focus will remain on using technological advances to improve people’s lives through better governance,” she said.
The President also observed that income inequality is narrowing and regional disparities are shrinking, with previously underperforming states catching up with economic leaders. She praised the rapid expansion of infrastructure, which has eased barriers for small and medium businesses.
Over the past decade, the National Highway network has been expanded under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, while the Railways have introduced modern trains and coaches. Murmu described the inauguration of the Kashmir Valley rail link as a “historic milestone” that will boost trade, tourism, and economic opportunities.
Addressing urbanization, she said the government has prioritized city development, expanding Metro Rail systems to many more cities in the past decade. Programs like the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) have increased household access to clean water and sewer connections. In rural areas, the Jal Jeevan Mission is bringing tap water to millions of homes.
In healthcare, she highlighted a “paradigm shift” under Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance program. She stressed that development must enhance both the ease of doing business and the ease of living, particularly for those on society’s margins. Greater self-reliance across sectors, she concluded, has strengthened national confidence and accelerated progress toward becoming a “Viksit Bharat” — a developed India. (Source: IANS)
