Kolkata: Industrialists should evolve growth models that generate employment and narrow down disparities, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said here on Thursday.

"I feel anguished that while we are on the high GDP [Gross Domestic Product] trajectory, about 26 crore of our people still live below the poverty line, grappling with the scourge of malnutrition, illiteracy and disease," Mr. Shekhawat said at an event organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce (MCC) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of India's first war of independence.

On this occasion, the MCC honoured the three surviving Param Vir Chakra winners of the 21 who have been conferred the award till 2007 — Captain (retired) Bana Singh, then Naib Subedar of 8, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry who showed great bravery and skill in the war of 1987, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, of the 13 J&K Rifles who was instrumental in the capture of Mushkoh valley in July 1999, and Havildar Yogender Singh Yadav, who received the PVC at the age of 19 for destroying bunkers while capturing Tiger Hill in July 1999.

Drawing attention to the widening urban-rural gap as well as inter-regional disparities, Mr. Shekhawat said the country needed development that made quality education affordable to all sections of society, provided infrastructure to rural and backward areas as well as supplied power for a balanced growth of the economy.

"Overcoming underdevelopment and alleviating poverty are the biggest challenges before the country," he said.

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