“India is Reshaping Its Development Paradigm to Seize New Opportunities”: Suman Bery at 31st Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture

New Delhi: Lal Bahadur Shastri National Memorial Trust in collaboration with National Museum, (Government of India) and Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management organized the 31^st Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture. Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, delivered the 31st Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture on the theme “Competitive and Cooperative Federalism: Role of NITI Aayog,” where he highlighted India’s transformation in development policy and governance. “India stands at a crucial juncture in its development journey. As the world’s fastest-growing major economy with a thriving digital ecosystem, flourishing agriculture, and a drive towards self-reliance through Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the nation is reshaping its development paradigm to seize new opportunities in a fast-changing world,” said Bery. 

He emphasized that NITI Aayog’s mandate to promote competitive and cooperative federalism, foster knowledge and innovation, encourage research-driven policymaking, and ensure rigorous monitoring and evaluation at the grassroots level is key to driving India’s growth.

Bery Highlights NITI Aayog’s Role in State-Centre Collaboration

Bery underscored the evolving relationship between NITI Aayog and the states, noting that “NITI Aayog engages with states by winning them over with ideas rather than money, fostering accountability and encouraging innovation. This transformation has resulted in a fluid dialogue between the Governing Council, the Chief Secretaries’ Council, Chief Ministers, and domain specialists across states, ensuring a collaborative approach to national development.” He also highlighted the success of the State NITI Workshop Series, which has conducted over 30 workshops across India on diverse themes such as fisheries, border security, and artificial intelligence. These workshops have provided an important platform for cross-learning and policy enhancement across states.

Anil Shastri Emphasizes Cooperative Federalism for Balanced Growth

The event witnessed the presence of Anil Shastri, senior trustee of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Memorial Trust and son of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Anil Shastri reiterated the importance of cooperative federalism in empowering India’s diverse regions and emphasized that collaborative efforts between the Centre and States are essential for achieving balanced growth and development.

A Legacy of Visionary Discourse

The Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture has consistently served as a platform where eminent personalities address critical national and international issues. Over the years, the event has featured inspiring lectures by renowned leaders and experts.

Complete List of Speakers at: https://www.lbsim.ac.in/cpage.aspx?mpgid=2&pgidtrail=167

Honoring Shastri Ji’s Ideals

The Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture continues to inspire meaningful discussions on governance, policy reforms, and national development. It stands as a tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri’s enduring legacy and fosters dialogue that promotes participatory governance and inclusive growth.

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Memorial Trust (LBSMemorial.in) remains committed to upholding the values of simplicity, integrity, and dedication that Lal Bahadur Shastri embodied. Through its annual memorial lectures, the Trust contributes to strengthening India’s policy discourse and empowering the nation to realize its full potential.