Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a sharp swipe at critics questioning India’s latest economic growth figures, saying pessimists would always see the country’s progress through a “half-empty glass” mindset.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the April-June quarter. He said the performance had strengthened national confidence despite global conflicts and disruptions in international trade.
Recalling India’s economic situation in 2013, Modi said the country was once included among the “Fragile Five” economies but had now emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the expansion of financial inclusion through the Jan Dhan Yojana, saying nearly 60 crore bank accounts had brought millions into the formal banking system.
Modi further pointed to the growth of domestic manufacturing under the Make in India initiative. He said India, once heavily dependent on imported mobile phones, was now exporting handsets worth over Rs 2.5 lakh crore.
Targeting habitual critics, Modi said India would continue moving forward despite opposition to major development and infrastructure projects.