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Thursday, Aug 16, 2007
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Great disparity: Tata

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata has said that great disparity still exists with a large portion of the population surviving at below subsistence levels and a smaller, more fortunate segment enjoying wealth and wellbeing.

In a statement issued on the occasion of Independence, he said that while “the future potential is enormous, the country’s destiny is in our hands. The time has come to move from small increments to bold, large initiatives.”

Mr. Tata felt that it was time to stretch the envelope and set goals that were earlier not seen to be possible. The time had come for measuring the performance and ensuring that the government funds reached those for whom they were intended. The country had transformed from a controlled economy into a nation with a vibrant, open market economy based on robust growth. Famines of early years had been converted into food surpluses. Literacy levels had gone up and entrepreneurship in big, medium and small enterprises flourished. Throughout this period, the country enjoyed free and fair elections, which had thrown out governments and ushered in new ones. “I am proud of my country,” said Mr. Tata, who steps into his 70th year this December. He emphasised the need to make a unified India, full of equal opportunities and free of communalism and casteism. “In its 60th year, clearly India’s time has come. The country is now universally recognised as a nation on the move. The future potential is great but a great nation can only be built if sights are set high and the fruits of continued growthand equal opportunity delivered to the people,” Mr. Tata said.

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