As part of the year-long celebrations, the university is hosting a series of 25 distinguished lectures, titled “University of Hyderabad Golden Jubilee & School of Management Studies Silver Jubilee Distinguished Lecture Series.” The theme of the series is “STRONG yet SUSTAINABLE: India’s march to the 3rd largest economy.”
The fourth lecture in the series, titled “Freedom, Prosperity, and Inclusion,” was delivered by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Founder of Lok Satta, on February 19, 2025.
Dr. Narayan enlightened the audience with six key impediments to India’s growth, offering practical and feasible solutions:
- Fiscal Discipline: Governments should prioritize sustainable investments over welfare programs to ensure long-term growth.
- Education: Strengthening primary education and focusing on skill enhancements are crucial for building a skilled workforce.
- Healthcare: Making healthcare affordable and accessible to those in need is essential for inclusive growth.
- In-situ Urbanization: Transforming rural areas into urban hubs can help distribute economic development more evenly, empowering the 65% of India’s rural population and preventing unwarranted migration to big cities.
- Agriculture: Modernizing agriculture through streamlined production and optimized supply chains can improve the livelihoods of the 46% of India’s population dependent on agriculture.
- Local Governance: Strengthening local governance bodies is vital for making growth sustainable and inclusive.
Dr. Narayan’s insightful lecture sparked a thought-provoking discussion, highlighting the importance of addressing these critical areas to ensure India’s continued growth and prosperity.
The Lecture can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETrA1UoaBR8