Role of Gujarat in Indian Freedom Struggle
Gujarat is a good example of progress for all states to emulate
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By Prof. Mukul G. Asher
Via e-mail
Gujarat’s governance and economic achievements are exemplary.
Why not the governments of other Indian states and the Central government respect Gujarat’s governance and economic achievements and emulate Gujarat’s approach to economic development and transparency in governance?
As the state of Gujarat nears completion of the first decade of the 21st century, its achievements in economic management and in governance merit a closer study.
Between, 1999-2000 and 2007-2008, Gujarat’s gross state domestic product (GSDP) in nominal terms grew at a compound annual rate of 15.8 percent (13.8 percent in per person terms). By 2010, its GSDP is approaching $100 billion, and its per capita income is now around $1,600, over a fifth higher than the national average.
Gujarat’s economy is well-balanced, with primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors contributing 21 percent, 33 percent, and 46 percent, respectively of GSDP in 2007-08. The manufacturing sector, which is key to India’s future, accounted for 41 percent of employment, the largest share.
Gujarat, a mid-sized state, accounts for 5 percent of India’s population, but contributes 21 percent to India’s exports and 13 percent to the industrial production. Its literacy rate is higher than the national average. While the sex ratio needs to improve (there were only 920 females per 1,000 men in 2001), consistent with international norms, females in Gujarat live nearly four years longer than men.
Gujarat’s achievements have been a result of combining the following set of characteristics consistently and skillfully, with the particular mix and sequencing to suit particular context and conditions.
Outcome or result-orientation: Such an orientation has helped minimize political or outmoded ideological considerations (such as the public sector being better than the private sector) in economic
[pic][pic][pic]
By Prof. Mukul G. Asher
Via e-mail
Gujarat’s governance and economic achievements are exemplary.
Why not the governments of other Indian states and the Central government respect Gujarat’s governance and economic achievements and emulate Gujarat’s approach to economic development and transparency in governance?
As the state of Gujarat nears completion of the first decade of the 21st century, its achievements in economic management and in governance merit a closer study.
Between, 1999-2000 and 2007-2008, Gujarat’s gross state domestic product (GSDP) in nominal terms grew at a compound annual rate of 15.8 percent (13.8 percent in per person terms). By 2010, its GSDP is approaching $100 billion, and its per capita income is now around $1,600, over a fifth higher than the national average.
Gujarat’s economy is well-balanced, with primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors contributing 21 percent, 33 percent, and 46 percent, respectively of GSDP in 2007-08. The manufacturing sector, which is key to India’s future, accounted for 41 percent of employment, the largest share.
Gujarat, a mid-sized state, accounts for 5 percent of India’s population, but contributes 21 percent to India’s exports and 13 percent to the industrial production. Its literacy rate is higher than the national average. While the sex ratio needs to improve (there were only 920 females per 1,000 men in 2001), consistent with international norms, females in Gujarat live nearly four years longer than men.
Gujarat’s achievements have been a result of combining the following set of characteristics consistently and skillfully, with the particular mix and sequencing to suit particular context and conditions.
Outcome or result-orientation: Such an orientation has helped minimize political or outmoded ideological considerations (such as the public sector being better than the private sector) in economic