The Hindu : Accord top priority to IT, agriculture: Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 22, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Accord top priority to IT, agriculture: Kalam

By K.V. Prasad

The President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, handing over a copy of a souvenir brought out by the Knitwear Cloth Manufacturers Association, to the Tamil Nadu Minister for Law and Information Technology, D. Jayakumar, at a Knitwear India Vision 2020 meet at Tirupur on Friday. — Photo: K. Ananthan

TIRUPUR Feb. 21. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today called for concerted efforts at focussing on key areas which could turn the nation fully developed by 2020.

Agriculture, food processing, education, healthcare, information technology, self-reliance in critical technology and infrastructure development should be accorded top priority, Dr. Kalam said after inaugurating a "Knitwear India-Vision 2020" meet organised by the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) and the Knitwear Cloth Manufacturers Association (KNITcMA) here.

Infrastructure development also included diversion of surplus water to deficit areas.

The President said one-fourth of the population was below the poverty line, and the situation could be reversed only if the gross domestic product was doubled from the existing 4.5 per cent.

Entrepreneurs with a vision could create demand for technology and skill, and this could turn even the most unskilled worker into a great human resource.

The industry should focus on value addition. "In fact, there should be a movement for value addition in all fields of production".

Quality, cost-effectiveness and timely delivery would help the industry face the global challenge, especially from countries such as China. "Quality is one of the key factors that will help us achieve the vision 2020 objective".

The industry would also have to step up productivity through skill and intellectual acumen.

Hails Tirupur enterprise

The President pointed out that "from the moment I landed in Tirupur, I have been hearing from various persons that the export earnings of this knitwear town is Rs.5,000 crores and that the aim is to reach Rs.10,000 crores in 2006 and Rs.1,00,000 crores in 2020. Such high aims coupled with hard work will definitely bring success".

Placing on record his "deep admiration" for Tirupur exporters, Dr. Kalam appreciated their efforts at converting a small town into a "remarkable place" which raked in substantial export earnings.

"I am told that virtually every household in this town is involved in some activity related to the knitwear industry. This should be stepped up to rise to the level of other developed nations".

Tirupur had a history of sacrifice and hard work, he said, referring to the freedom fighter "Tirupur" Kumaran. "His soul must be activating you".

Dr. Kalam released a silver jubilee souvenir brought out by the KNITcMA and the Tamil Nadu Minister for Law and Information Technology, D. Jayakumar, received the first copy.

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