Excelsior Correspondent
New Delhi, Mar 26: A group of 40 students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Management, hailing from different parts of the world including USA, UK, China, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Singapore, Canada and Costa Rica, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances,Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh at his North Block office.
The students are on an India itinerary, as a part of which, they undertook a trip to important offices and Ministries of the Government of India in the Union Capital.
In an interaction lasting nearly two hours, the students engaged Dr Jitendra Singh in a discussion on a variety of subjects ranging from India’s perspective and future road map particularly in the context of the Narendra Modi Government’s months rule. They also quizzed Dr Jitendra Singh about the lesser known facets of his personal life and his journey from a medical professional, Diabetologist and author to an important Minister in the Modi Government.
Giving a lucid account of India in the 21st century and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India is on a fast track on the road to self-sufficiency and economic empowerment. Next few years, India is set to achieve its goals of becoming a world power, he added. When asked what were, in his view, possible hurdles in the path of India’s journey to progress, Dr Jitendra Singh explained that India is a heterogeneous society with a huge population and several diversities living under same nationality. These factors are a distinguishing feature of India and though sometimes these may cause some disadvantage, in many ways these also offer an advantage and are a part of Indian civilizations cherished heritage, he observed.
The students of MIT School of Management were inquisitive to know about India’s achievements in space technology, particularly the recent Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). In reply, Dr Jitendra Singh explained that the Mars Orbiter Mission was a 100% indigenous achievement and to that extent, it was the most striking example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” dream. He said, the Mars Orbiter Mission had given India a huge strategic advantage in the world arena and established India’s supremacy in the area of space technology. It is no small achievement that while 50% of Mars Missions since 1960 had proved a failure during the first attempt, it is the first Indian Interplanetary Mission to Mars which has created history by proving absolutely successful in its maiden attempt. The MIT students were full of praise for the warmth and hospitality of the people of India. They also shared their own experience of visits to Red Fort and Qutab Minar.
Before the conclusion of the interaction, the students wanted from Dr Jitendra Singh the answer for one last question, which was, as to how he managed to handle so many departments and ministries at the same time.
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