India-Africa relations are very important for making India 30 trillion dollar economy: Prof Yogesh
Two day
International Conference on “Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhism: Energizing India's
Relations with Africa” inaugurated at DU
A two day international conference on "Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhism: Energizing India's Relations with Africa" by the Department of African Studies, University of Delhi, was inaugurated on Thursday, April 6, at the Convention Hall, Vice Regal Lodge. On the inauguration of this conference, organized in collaboration with the University's Centenary Celebrations Committee, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Prof Yogesh Singh in his address as the chief guest, said that by 2050 India's economy should be $30 trillion and for this India-Africa relations are very important. The keynote speaker on the occasion was Reema B Robbie, High Commissioner of Mauritius and Dr Richa Sharma, Deputy Director, ICSSR, New Delhi was also present.
Prof Yogesh
Singh in his address said that Africa is moving fast in terms of youth
population. Currently one in three people in the world are being born in
Africa. 3 out of 10 fastest growing economies of the world are in Africa.
Giving details of various resources, he said that Africa has 30% of the world's
mineral resources. If we have to do something meaningful for India, it can be
done successfully with strong India-Africa ties, which will be beneficial for
both the countries. He said that the import and export of Africa with India is
very good. Currently more than 21% of India's exports are with Africa. He said
that Africa has 25% of the world's land resources which can provide food to the
whole world, therefore India's developed technology and knowledge in the
agriculture sector can be used for the development of agriculture in African
countries. Along with this, a lot can be done with Africa in education, banking
and financial sectors.
Highlighting
Gandhi and Africa relations, the Vice Chancellor said that Gandhi went to
Africa in 1893 and returned to India in 1915. During this period, Africa made
Gandhi into Gandhi Part-1. Elaborating on Mahatma Gandhi's association with the
University of Delhi, the Vice-Chancellor said that Gandhi had a deep connection
with the Vice Regal Lodge, the historic building of DU. He told that Gandhi
came to this building several times and the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in
this building only. Due to this agreement, about 80,000 prisoners were released.
The Vice Chancellor while discussing the relevance of Gandhi in present times
said that the Government of India is working actively to make India the India
of Gandhi's dreams. Referring to the Ujjwala Yojana and the ambitious food
security scheme, which would directly benefit 82 crore people, he said that
Gandhi had wanted that no one should sleep hungry in my country.
Speaking as the
keynote speaker at the conference, High Commissioner of Mauritius Reema B
Robbie mentioned about India-Africa economic and diplomatic relations with
detailed statistics. She said that India provided about 37.59 million doses of
vaccine to African countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. Describing Gandhi's
Satyagraha as the basic mantra of freedom, she said that Gandhi believed that
India's freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Africa. Many international
leaders like Nelson Mandela have drawn inspiration from him. She also expressed
her gratitude for India's contribution to African countries, especially
Mauritius, and India's support in education and scholarships to their students.
Along with her, Dr Richa Sharma, Deputy Director, ICSSR, New Delhi, who was
present as the other keynote speaker, expressed her views on Gandhi in a
different way. She said that people have to understand and know Gandhi in many
ways. Dr Richa Sharma said that she sees Gandhi as a successful lawyer. She
explained in detail, with many incidents related to Gandhi's advocacy, that
Gandhi did a lot for the legal profession. Professionally, Gandhi was a successful
lawyer, practicing extensively in India and Africa. At the beginning of the
ceremony, the coordinator of the conference and the head of the African Studies
Department, Prof. Gajendra Singh welcomed the guests and gave detailed
information about the conference. At the end of the ceremony, vote of thanks
was proposed by Dr Manish Karmawar. On this occasion, the convenor of the
Centenary Celebrations Committee, Prof Neera Agnimitra, DU Registrar Dr Vikas
Gupta, Dr Gajendra Singh, Head of Department of African Studies and many
participants from African countries were also present.