Zee Jaipur Literature Festival 2015: Dr Subhash Chandra talks about agendas for change

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The ongoing eight edition of Zee Jaipur Literature Festival started off with a welcoming response from readers and scholars alike. The five-day long festival on its second day saw imminent personalities discussing the setting up of agendas for change in today's India.

Essel Group Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra, Bibek Debroy, Vishvjit Prithvijit Singh in conversation with John Elliot spoke during one of the interactive sessions, where the topic of debate was - “A rediscovery of India: Agenda for change”.

Dr Subhash Chandra threw light on how New Delhi—the national capital happens to be the centre of power. He even said that we (as a country) need to spend more on the youth and have more developmental plans for the younger lot. There has to be a social benefit programme, but not just for the sake of getting into power or capturing vote bank.

He stressed that many laws are still in place, which were made during the British regime. “There has to be a change in the system,” Dr Subhash Chandra added.

Speaker Bibek Debroy added, “We need to grow at an even faster rate. We control our land markets, labour markets; the time has come when we take up issues which are more important.”

Dr Chandra while answering Debroy said, “The reforms which you are mentioning—land, labour can be fixed easily. They are primarily not on everyone's radar. However, one of the most important and biggest issues right now is Naxalism. This is one of the real issues, for which we are seeking solutions.”

Meanwhile, on being asked about Congress performance in the general elections, Vishvjit Singh said, “There certainly was a jam lock, and we got voted out. People wanted change and they got it. Economic reforms are very important for any country to flourish—as it functions like a safety net.”

However, he also spoke about how huge development must not leave behind the poor.