India will become USD 5 trillion economy because of strong foundation laid by previous govts: Pranab
New Delhi, Jul 18: Former president Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday that India would become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 because of the strong foundation laid by previous governments.
Delivering a lecture on 'Furthering India's Promise', Mukherjee said various economic and social sectors are performing well because of the efforts of Indians since Independence.
He rued the fact that the Modi dispensation has not only scrapped five-year plans but also done away with the Planning Commission.
"The Finance Minister can say that India will become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 because of the strong foundation laid previously. The efforts were not put by Britishers but by Indians since Independence," he said.
"These five-year plans built the vision for economy, health, education among others. The investment used to be made based on these plans," he told at the lecture organised by Samruddha Bharat Foundation.
Mukherjee further said he agrees that non-Congress governments also played a vital role in development of the country but noted that to "exclude would be absolutely absurd".
He said Mangalyaan has been made possible because "not by magic but by the sustained efforts on which the groundwork has been done".
He listed out various instances of exploitation by the Britishers and how India recuperated from it after the Independence.
"India has been physically conquered a number of times but not spiritually but I do believe that India has always risen out of it," he said.
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Gurupura: Bus-lorry collide near Bellibettu, drivers critically injured
6 Lakh in cash recovered during rescue operation
Bajpe: A private bus and a lorry collided head-on near Bellibettu bus stand on Wednesday, leaving both drivers seriously injured.
According to sources, the private bus was travelling from Mangaluru to Karkala and a lorry was heading towards Mangaluru.
The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the front portions of both the bus and the lorry completely crushed.
According to locals, the drivers of both vehicles were trapped inside the mangled vehicles and had to be rescued by cutting parts of the damaged vehicles using a gas cutter. Passengers travelling in the bus sustained minor injuries.
The injured drivers were shifted to a private hospital in the city for treatment. Personnel from the Bajpe police station visited the spot, conducted an inspection, and registered a case.
Meanwhile, it has been learnt that during the rescue operation, a local resident, Rafiq Gurupura, found around Rs 6 lakh in cash while cutting open parts of the bus.
The amount was subsequently handed over to the Bajpe police. The rescue operation was carried out by locals including Rafiq, Shivarama, Raoof, Fazil and others.
