Who said what at the conclave
With eye on the future, the lens was on Haryana at Leaderspeak@ht in Gurgaon. We bring to you the views of the panellists who were discussing the dynamics of the stat's development.
'INCLUDE WOMEN IN GROWTH STORY'
It is often said that Haryana's growth is not equal. The state needs to ensure that urban planning is implemented so that growth is systematic.
As a woman, I have to hang my head in shame when one looks at the gender indicators... As against an all-India sex ratio of 905 in 2008-10, Haryana's is 838. We expect Haryana to modernise its institutions of governance and also its social institutions. As we goes forward, we must ensure that growth is financially and environmentally sustainable and inclusive, meaning that it includes women.
DR ISHER JUDGE AHLUWALIA, CHAIRPERSON,
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations
'GREAT POTENTIAL IN HEALTHCARE'
There is an immediate need for more high-quality medical colleges. Today, the biggest challenge is the quality of students who graduate from medical college. Graduates of 80% of medical colleges are not fit to treat anyone. Haryana can take the lead by resolving to set up only high-quality medical colleges, and they are capable of doing it. The state can provide the best talent in healthcare. We have good infrastructure but not put to optimal use. Health services in the rest of Haryana, including Rohtak, are poor compared to Gurgaon.
DR NARESH TREHAN, CARDIOLOGIST,
founder chairman of Medanta: The Medicity, Gurgaon
'THEY SAID IT WOULD FOLD IN 6 MONTHS'
I came to Haryana in 1971 when the state was just five years old. We had silly notions. We thought it was a rustic place, far from civilisation. There was widespread belief that this state is so unviable that it can fold within six months. Prophets of dooms were, however, proved wrong. Haryana has turned out to be a great success story. But its development is often taken for granted.
In the last two decades, one of the biggest achievements of Haryana's growth story is that it has taken pressure off Delhi.
DR SY QURAISHI,
ex-IAS, former chief election commissioner
'A HIGH BENCHMARK HAS BEEN SET'
In Haryana, growth has been very strong but demand has gone up faster. We have not been able to keep up. We need to meet the aspirations of people and create much more supply. Gurgaon is not the only example in Haryana. But, at the same time, we all need one pioneer, a leader. The good news is that the growth is trickling down, and the benefits are reaching every family. Disparity will always be measured; but why is disparity there? Because something has at least set a higher benchmark. I believe the best is yet to come for Haryana.
RAJIV SINGH,
vice-chairman, DLF Limited
'NEED TO CORRECT SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOO'
Benefits of industrialisation are yet to reach the hinterland. But it is not the fault of Haryana. Industry and private sector development comes where they find catalysts of growth. So naturally, proximity to Delhi has brought them to Gurgaon and Faridabad. The quality of education, particularly school education, needs to be improved a lot. This includes attendance of teachers; their training needs to be looked into. Haryana is one of the laggard states in terms of gender equality.
DHANENDRA KUMAR,
former Haryana IAS