Vijayanagara legacy offers lessons for inclusive growth: Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that the ideals of prosperity and inclusive governance reflected in the Vijayanagara Empire remain relevant to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Ms. Sitharaman, who visited the UNESCO World Heritage site at Hampi in Vijayanagara district along with a team of 120 officers from the Union Ministry of Finance, said that the visit enabled officials to understand the historical, administrative and economic significance of the erstwhile empire.

“The message of Vijayanagara, ‘Prosperity for all’, aligns with the principles guiding the current public policy. As preparations are under way for the forthcoming Union Budget, the visit offers perspective on building a prosperous and inclusive India,” she said.

Earlier, Ms. Sitharaman planted saplings of tamarind, custard apple and other species on the Hampi Development Authority premises near Kamalapur. She also participated in the National Pulse Polio Programme at the Community Health Centre in Kamalapur by administering polio drops to children.

Stressing the need to sustain India’s polio-free status, Ms. Sitharaman said that continued institutional support is essential for doctors, paramedical staff, nurses and caregivers engaged in immunisation efforts.

Referring to her visit to Kasapur village in Kudligi taluk in October this year, where facilities for agricultural processing were inaugurated using funds from her MP Local Area Development Scheme, she said that rural livelihoods require sustained policy and institutional support.

She added that the plantation drive undertaken by the visiting officers reflected a commitment to environmental conservation.

Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, Ballari MP E. Tukaram, MLAs H.R. Gaviappa and N.T. Srinivas, Finance Ministry Secretary Nagaraju Maddirala, Central Board of Direct Taxes Chairman Ravi Agrawal, Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur and senior officials were present.