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 31st 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.