Prerna Lau Sian LLB (Hons) in Davos
This year marked the 48th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) summit which took place from January 23 to 26 in the Swiss mountain region of Davos. The focus was heavily on India whereby Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to address the summit in two decades. The Indian delegation was the fourth largest group at Davos that
included Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The Indian presence this year was the largest in the 48-year history of WEF, with nearly 130 Indian CEOs attending the annual event. This included Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal and Tata Sons CEO N Chandrasekaran.
Upon arrival in Davos, the snow laden roads were filled with private blacked-out cars taking delegates to and from an exciting array of conference venues. India House, positioned next to Russia House provided guests with food catered by the Taj Group and had exhibitions and
displays showcasing the benefits of investing in India. Rooms were filled with the Indian press, government and business representatives of Indian origin.
The theme of the summit was “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World” and in his speech, Prime Minister Modi spoke eloquently on the topic drawing in resounding quotes from our ancient scriptures, reminding delegates where the world had gone wrong and strayed. The basic tenants and principles of Hinduism, if followed correctly would ensure that violence and greed would not be present. Prime Minister Modi reminded delegates how the world should be seen as one big family “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – we are all together and linked as one family” and this would help eliminate fault-lines. Furthermore, Hindu sacred meaningful prayers always start with praying for wellbeing of all and ends with praying for peace.
Climate change was a focal point in the Prime Minister’s speech as it has contributed to fractures within nations. Disparities in the allocation of resources and assets is the root cause of these tensions between communities and groups. The
influences of extreme weather
conditions could also be seen in Davos where the snowfall had been more than the last 20 years. Prime Minister Modi stated that in Indian culture, “We treat nature as mother” and that holy scriptures taught humankind that “the Mother Earth is our Goddess and we are her children”. The importance of the Paris Agreement was highlighted and PM Modi told the audience that India is “willing to take the lead in mitigating the effects of climate change”.
India as a country has neither ever invaded other countries nor fought wars to gain territories not belonging to her. “In fact, violence or damage is not thought of even towards the nature.” It is inbuilt and inherent in Indian ethos to respect and love one another and the nature around us and, if this philosophy was obeyed and followed throughout the world, we wouldn’t be living in a
fractured world.
Tackling terrorism was also
highlighted where the Prime Minister urged the world to act collectively against the meance and reminded that, “it was intrinsic in the Indian belief to oppose terrorism with the firm conviction in co-existence of races and religions; as can be
witnessed in India today”. Prime Minister Modi also pointed out that “worse is when people say there is a difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terror.” The world being stronger together was reiterated throughout PM Modi’s speech and he explained that the biggest reasons for fracture at an international level were
isolationist and protectionist trade
policies, leading to ‘shrinking of globalisation’.
Technology happened to be a major focus in this year’s WEF Summit with an array of fora focussed on cryptocurrencies and block-chains, and PM Modi stated how technology driven
transformation influences everything including international groups and politics. “The world is accumulating
mountains of data and whoever can control and manipulate data has control of the world.” This is
becoming increasingly evident with the importance and reliance of social media, in addition to the mainstream media who has a stronghold over data and can manipulate
information.
This year’s WEF Summit, with a strong focus on India, ensured that the world was exposed to the great moves and initiatives being made by the Government of India. India’s attractiveness as a nation with its philosophical tenants built upon love for nature and mankind was
beautifully displayed to the world, coupled with India’s great economic
initiatives and advancements. India ranked 3rd in the WEF’s list of most trusted governments in 2017 and according to the World Bank and IMF, its growth rate is going to be steady and high. Global rating
agency Moody’s has also upgraded India’s rating on account of its economic reforms. In light of this and after PM Modi’s landmark speech in Davos, it is evident that the largest democracy on earth is on course to become one of the world’s
superpowers.
(The London-based writer is the CEO and Founder of Vaahan Magazine: www.vaahan.org and broadcaster on Nusound Radio 92FM. Twitter: @PrernaSian)
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