Knowledge will drive India’s rise to a US$ 5 trillion economy, says Gadkari

Knowledge is the most powerful tool for India to achieve its ambition of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy and the world’s third-largest economy, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said. Speaking at an event at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, he emphasised that a nation’s future depends on the technologies it can develop and deploy.

Addressing students and faculty, Gadkari said that the Indian Institutes of Technology and their students have played a decisive role in India’s development and progress. He explained that when the government faces complex challenges, it first turns to the IITs, given the institutions’ credibility and the broad acceptance of their solutions. He described the IIT community as the country’s true capital of knowledge.

The minister emphasised that while resources and existing technologies matter, knowledge and future technologies ultimately determine national progress. He reiterated that a country’s trajectory is shaped by the depth of its technological capability and its ability to anticipate future needs, rather than relying solely on present-day tools.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Gadkari said the goal of making India a USD 5 trillion economy and the world’s third-largest economy has been articulated as a clear national mission. He stressed that achieving this target would depend fundamentally on how effectively India harnesses knowledge as a strategic asset.

Gadkari also explained that knowledge is not limited to academic learning alone. He said entrepreneurship, science, technology, research, skills and the adoption of best practices together form the knowledge base of a nation. According to him, the future lies in converting this collective knowledge into wealth, productivity and long-term economic strength.

Source: Deccan Herald