New Delhi: Buddhiman Bharat for a smarter India and an Uber model for agriculture are among the initiatives the Modi government is hoping to introduce in its second term.
While Buddhiman Bharat seeks to shape young minds when their growth is believed to be the fastest, that is the first 3,000 days of their life (up to age eight), Uber-for-agriculture intends to encourage sharing of equipment like tractors among farmers on the lines of the popular cab service, which connects people who need a ride with a taxi through an app.
These were among the ideas that came up for discussion at the prime minister’s meeting with 40 leading economists and experts at a NITI Aayog session titled ‘Economic Policy: The Road Ahead’ in New Delhi last Saturday.
Multiple government officials who participated in the session told ThePrint that Modi stressed the need for private investment in agriculture, and asked whether India could have “Uber in agriculture”.
“The PM said… can we have something like Uber, which has revolutionised transport, in agriculture?” an official said.
“Suppose I have a tractor and I use it for two hours… For the rest of the day, it is lying at my residence. So, if a system is in place, someone else can book that tractor,” the official added. “The idea is that the machinery available is optimally used and everyone can have access to it.”
Another official said: “If you are a rich landlord, you can afford to buy a tractor. Those who are poor can’t afford to buy it, but need it. So, his idea was to make the system more simple and impersonal.”
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‘Buddhiman Bharat’
At the session, the experts in attendance were divided into five groups for discussions on a number of issues. Buddhiman Bharat, the officials said, was among the ideas thrown up by these discussions.
Experts pointed out that a child’s brain grows the fastest in the 3,000 days following their birth, and thus requires a stimulating environment.
“The idea was that, as they will get a lot to learn till the age of eight, they will grow up to
be much more enlightened people,” said a senior government official.
To achieve this aim, the official added, the government could make use of technology like artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, besides undertaking curriculum reform.
According to the officials, all the suggestions and recommendations that came from the session will be examined closely by the ministries concerned before a decision is taken on what all can be implemented.
Prime Minister Modi had said in a tweet after the session that he had had a good interaction with economists and other experts. “The inputs received were insightful and will benefit our growth trajectory,” he said.
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