Srinagar, Oct 05 (KNS): Khursheed Ahmad Ganai (IAS Retd), who is also a former advisor, on Sunday said that India can only become a developed country by 2047 if poverty is eradicated, education is universal, and the media plays a fair and impartial role.

Ganai was speaking at a lecture organised by the Indian Institute of Public Administration on the theme Developed India and the Media. The lecture was delivered by Professor Shahid Rasool from the Central University, with other speakers also participating in the session.

Ganai said the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, when India completes 100 years of independence, requires achieving multiple targets. “Developed India means poverty should be zero, education should reach 100 percent, and people should be able to live a materially comfortable life,” he said.

He added that urban and rural spaces should have proper facilities and look well-managed. “Not necessarily like Europe or America, but we should develop to a decent level,” he said. Ganai stressed that social cohesion and peace are essential. “People should love each other, there should be harmony, and governance should be fast, efficient, digital, and transparent,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

According to him, achieving this vision without many obstacles and within the set targets would be a major accomplishment. He said Jammu and Kashmir must also be part of this journey. “J&K should not remain behind. It should become a developed region with no poverty and access to the same facilities,” he said as per KNS.

Ganai underlined the importance of media in achieving these national objectives. He said a developed India is not possible without a truthful and impartial media. “If the media doesn’t tell the truth or hides it, how will we correct our mistakes?” he asked. “If mistakes keep happening and the media doesn’t point them out, how will we move forward?”

He described the media as a watchdog and an oversight mechanism that must function with honesty. “The role of media is very important. It has to be honest, informed, and impartial,” he said. He also noted that current public perception does not strongly associate media with transparency or impartiality.

He said if the media performs its role with full honesty, it can contribute significantly to the journey toward a developed India.(KNS)