Delivering his keynote speech at the Global Business Summit 2023, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, applauded Narendra Modi’s cumulative efforts to bring transformation in the railways. It was only possible by bringing together strategic thinking, end-to-end implementation, innovation and technology together under one roof. He emphasised on the idea of “reinvention”, which is all about thinking differently to make all the difference.
He elaborates on how the government efforts have been focused on investing in infrastructure and focused consumption, which has led to high growth and moderate inflation in India as compared to other nations.
Vaishnaw brings in the idea that capital investment in railways has generated more employment opportunities and accelerated the economic growth in the country. He also talks about the dire need to change in the overall passenger experience, which has led to exponential growth in railways. From easing out to the ticketing system to taking care of safety measures and creating huge roof plazas, all the innovation could be made possible due to thinking 50 years ahead of time.
From having more stations as city centres to building a complete masterplan for urban integration to creating more roof plazas to creating transport corridors, there has been a lot of meticulous planning that has gone into making these transformations over a short period of time.
The minister also elaborates on how the idea of progress complements the idea of preserving the heritage. Bringing elements of modernity while preserving the heritage has been the government’s focus throughout. Also, the phrase “Made in India” emerged when all the processes of manufacturing happened in the country. Also, he re-emphasized on how they have been able to succeed in creating quality parts at cost effective prices.
Also, the idea of collaboration resurfaced in his speech, where he talked about sharing the technology with other countries so we all can progress together as a global village.