New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) India on Tuesday emphasised its rights-based, inclusive, and people-centric development model at a United Nations discussion focused on leveraging outcomes from the Second World Summit for Social Development, linking the Copenhagen Declaration to the Doha Political Declaration.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, delivering India’s statement, highlighted that social justice is at the core of India’s national vision for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
She recalled that the Copenhagen Declaration placed people at the heart of development, while the Doha Political Declaration reaffirmed this commitment amid emerging global challenges.
Thakur further stressed that India’s governance philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” reflects a comprehensive approach, involving both government and society, aimed at ensuring dignity, equity, and opportunity for all citizens.
Speaking on India’s large-scale social protection initiatives, she mentioned that over 800 million people are covered under food security programmes, while more than 550 million citizens benefit from free healthcare provided by a nationwide network of health and wellness centres. Affordable medicines and medical devices are being provided through over 16,000 Jan Arogya Kendras, she added.
The minister also pointed to India’s commitment to grassroots democracy, citing that over 1.45 million elected women representatives serve in local governance.
She noted that flagship initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana are enhancing education and financial security for girls, while labour reforms support equal pay, safe workplaces, and greater participation of women in the workforce.
Thakur highlighted that large-scale, collateral-free loans have helped millions of women, entrepreneurs, and street vendors enter the formal economy. Furthermore, schemes such as SMILE are focused on the rehabilitation and inclusion of transgender persons and other vulnerable groups.
She also emphasised India’s focus on integrating digital public infrastructure, direct benefit transfers, and citizen participation to ensure transparency and efficient last-mile delivery.
Reaffirming India’s civilizational ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – “the world is one family” – Thakur expressed India’s readiness to strengthen global partnerships and share its development experience to advance social justice globally.
The session saw active participation from a majority of UN member states. After the discussion, Thakur held a courtesy meeting with Sweden’s Minister for Social Services, Camilla Waltersson Grönvall. PTI AO HIG HIG
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