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“Pro-poor schemes need collective effort”

Kolkata: President Pratibha Patil has called for vigorous and regular monitoring of the implementation of pro-poor schemes saying that this requires the collective effort of the government, civil society organisations and the people.

She said the nation was committed to inclusive growth where all sections of the society, particularly the weaker sections, can benefit from economic growth.

“Contributing to social upliftment and rendering service for the benefit of the humanity are important for inclusive growth.

The President has encouraged the Asiatic Society to develop “partnerships with other academic and research institutions in India and abroad to enrich work about Indian cultural thought.”

Speaking at a commemorative programme to celebrate the 225th year of the institution, she said in all its years of service, the Asiatic Society has stood at the forefront of service in enhancing research and pursuit of knowledge in the country.

She expressed confidence that the Society will face the challenges of the 21st century with the same spirit of dedication and scholarship as of the last more than two centuries since its foundation.

Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also the chairman of the planning board of the Society, said there was no dearth of national institutes but this was a unique institute where scholars were keen to maintain their academic freedom.

West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi said it was significant that the President had chosen this institute to mark her first visit to the State. However, he felt that the Society needed a clear vision of its present and future role. He too emphasised the need for a synergetic association with other archives elsewhere in the world and India.

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“Pro-poor schemes need collective effort”

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