HYDERABAD: The Centre for Economic and Social Studies, in association with the Telugu Academy, launched a book titled, ‘Inclusive Growth in India: Agriculture, Poverty and Human Development’ in Telugu at a function here on Monday. The book, originally written by Prof S Mahendra Dev in 2008, was translated by the Telugu Academy into Telugu. Prof CH Hanumantha Rao, Chancellor, University of Hyderabad and former member of the Planning Commission, who released the book, appreciated Prof S Mahendra Dev and pointed out that growth and equity objectives had to be pursued simultaneously and social justice and welfare should be the outcome of inclusive growth.
Prof S Mahendra Dev, author and Director-cum-Vice Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, said, “the volume emphasizes the need for economic reforms with equitable development and focuses on key inter-related elements of inclusive growth such as agriculture, poverty, food security, employment, social sector and regional disparities.” According to him, it examines the performance, issues, and challenges ahead.
To the query as to how the book written four years ago is relevant today, he replied that the situation has not changed at all. “Growth has been declining since 2008. The context, concept, elements and suggestions explained in the book remain the same till date. The only addition one could think of is whether India has been following inclusive growth since then, and what has happened in the 11th five-year plan etc, which I am planning to write in my new book scheduled for the end of this year,” said Prof Dev. He further added that his book will prove to be a great reference material for students aspiring for UPSC. “We should strengthen democracy and inclusive growth could be achieved,” he concluded.