The private sector must embrace its role not just as an economic actor but as a co-architect of India's future-VP

Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that, “ Industry, friends, must be a force for inclusion by supporting MSMEs, promoting gender and caste diversity in leadership. It's easier said than done. Gender and caste diversity has to be appreciated in the right sense. When it comes to gender, we champion affirmative action but the real problem is when gender discrimination is subtle. When gender discrimination cannot be imparted in words by the normal desire to dominate.”

Speaking as Chief Guest at the 19th Edition of the CII-ITC Sustainability Awards at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today, Shri Dhnakhar underlined, “The private sector must embrace its role not just as an economic actor but as a co-architect of India's future……. We are not mercenaries, we don't stand for exploitation. We believe in the positive unleashing of our energy to realise our dreams for the benefit of society at large.  A truly developed nation is one where opportunity is not the privilege of the few but the right of all.”

Underlining the sustainable development credentials of Bharat, Shri Dhnakhar said, “Bharat is home to one-sixth of humanity. We are the world's largest economy at number four and we are the torchbearers of a development paradigm that seeks to harmonize  the economy, the ecological and the ethical…..the global 2030 agenda for sustainable development cannot succeed on the planet without India's participation, without India's contribution, without India's proactive affirmative stance and fortunately, with the vision of its leadership,  India has embraced this responsibility both with clarity and conviction……In this country, we seek prosperity with purpose, growth with inclusion,  innovation with integrity……Let Indian industry become the torchbearer of this green revolution. Let us invest in renewable energy, green hydrogen, circular economy models, and carbon markets. Let us not treat sustainability as a compliance, but as a source of competitive advantage. The moment we take it in the compliance groove; the battle is lost.”