“Our vision: Where poverty has been confined to the dustbin of history”: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi in Mizoram (File photo)

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday addressed industry leaders at the FICCI in New Delhi. Apart from addressing the economic issues, he talked about the Congress party’s inherent strength, its vision and its ability to take on challenges. Excerpts here:
a) A political party’s strength lies in the voice of those it represents. We will listen to the voices we represent. The Congress Party has long prided itself in this very ability and used it to rise from adversity time and again.
b) We will renew ourselves. And will fight strong and confident in order to protect the values of tolerance and compassion that are the essence of India.
c) We are a fast moving economy. We cannot allow you to be held back by slow decision making. Accountability has to be clear, fixed and time-bound.
d) India has the brightest youngsters in the world. But let me be blunt - our current education system does not do them justice. There has been a massive scaling up of investment in education and training. But we need to do much more.
e) This is the land that produced Buddha, Kabir, Tagore and Ramanujan. We have to produce many more world-class scientists, artists, and philosophers.
f) We passed the Lokpal Bill. But, as I have said on numerous occasions, we need to go further. The Congress Party has developed a framework against corruption. I have appealed for the passage of six critical anti-corruption bills through parliament. Let me tell you about two. The amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act will protect honest officers and be much more effective against those who are corrupt. The Grievance Redressal Bill will ensure that every citizen has the right to timely delivery of goods and services by their government.
g) I would like to state clearly that poverty cannot be fought without growth. Maintaining robust growth has enabled the UPA Government to invest in people. In 10 years almost a third of India’s poor have risen above the poverty line.
h) Our vision is of an India united by compassion, not power; living in harmony, not in hatred; thriving in peace rather than suffocating in conflict; filled with humility, not with hubris. Where  poverty has been confined to the dustbin of history. An India where government serves the people rather than people serve the government.