India Must Become "Credible" In Order to Prosper

India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram

India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram says India must become a "credible" nation in order to achieve economic prosperity. Chidambaram says while efforts are underway to improve overall living conditions, what will make India strong long term is a workforce that is educated and skilled. India's greatest strength is its human resources, Chidambaram indicates, and by capitalizing on that he estimates the country will become the fourth largest economy globally by 2030.

In anticipation of this goal, Chidambaram reports India's GDP is growing at an average of 8.6 percent in the last four years and its current rate of investment for the 2007 fiscal year is 20 percent higher than in 2006. Chidambaram was speaking during a panel in New York City entitled, "India@60: A New Age for Business" - a seminar that is part of an initiative commemorating India's 60th anniversary of independence. Other panelists participating in the discussion included Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Ronen Sen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to India David Mulford and Confederation of Indian Industry President Sunil Mittal.

"India 2050: A Grand Strategy for India Rising"

India must overcome several obstacles in order to achieve overall success by the year 2050, according to panelists participating in a discussion in New York City. The event, entitled "India 2050: A Grand Strategy for India Rising," was part of the Incredible India@ 60 initiative. Panelist and former Mexico President Ernesto Zedillo says the potential for success is there, but policymakers and society must first take the initial steps towards advancing their education and health care systems.

However, Infosys Technologies Ltd. Co-Chairman Nanadan Nilekani says India has taken several strides over the last several years towards achieving future prospects. Nilekani says India has made several advancements in the technology sector and in creating a global mindset. Other panelists at the event included author Thomas Friedman, Future Capital Research Director Roopa Purushothaman, author Ramachandra Guha, and Yale professor T.N. Srinivasan. The session, held Sept. 24, was moderated by Yale President Richard Levin.

Economic Independence Vital For Indian Women

For India to move forward, it is crucial for men to welcome the new role of women, says Chief Mentor of the Confederation of India Industry Tarun Das. This trend is supported by the fact that 60 percent of married Indian men aged 18-30 want their wives to work. This theory is further supported by the surge in women leaders over the past 20 years who have played a pivotal role in India's development, says Arghyam Trust Chairperson Rohini Nilekani. Das and Nilekani were two of the panelists participating in the Incredible India@ 60 discussion entitled "Women and Global Leadership." Other panelists at the Sept. 25 event in New York City included actress Shabana Azmi, PepsiCo. CEO Indra Nooyi and HSBC India CEO Naina Lal Kidwai.

NYC Hears a New Indian Beat

New Yorkers witnessed' a different form of music and dance as percussionist Anandan Shivamani and others performed scores native to their home country of India. The cultural festival, which also included different regional foods, is part of Incredible India@ 60, an initiative celebrating the country's 60th anniversary of independence. Sitar player Niladri, who performed during the event, compared music to India's economy saying it has evolved over the past 60 years to become a global entity. Chief Minister of Assam Shri Tarun, who was present at the event, says much like New York City, India is full of diversity and this is exemplified through its various forms of dance, music and food. The Chief Minister says that since India only started to evolve in 1947, he is excited to see what the next 60 years will hold and believes his nation will become one of the most powerful economic entities to date.

India Is A Strategic Market For Investments Says Coke India CEO

Coca-Cola India CEO Atul Singh says India is a strategic market that the company is looking to invest in. During the Incredible India@ 60 initiative in New York City, Singh and several dignitaries remarked on the importance of bringing relevant products and services geared towards bolstering the country's economy. As part of the four-day initiative Coca-Cola co-hosted the launch of the Limca Book of World Records 2007 "INDIA EXTRAORDINAIRE, 60 Years. 60 Luminaries." The book provides an in-depth look at 60 select individuals who have influenced the country across 13 fields ranging from government to entertainment. The Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath, who released the book, acknowledged the country's trajectory of economic growth and credited those who helped shape its new path.