30-August-2018
Shri Subhash Chandra attended the Global Cruise Conclave organized by India Cruise Lines Association (INCLA) as its chief guest.
Addressing the gathering Subhash Ji referred to some historical facts and their correlation to the present and the future. “In 18th century Bharat’s GDP and share in global trade if compared to today was very very high. Before the British came it was almost 23% of the global trade. Our GDP was the third largest in the world. Our economy was the globally second largest economy in the world. China was also equally leading in the 18th century. When the industrial revolution happened, economic growth moved from Asia to the west,” he said.
He further said that, “Over a period of time, our share in the global economy dropped from 23% to 0.5%. The unfortunate thing is that in the past 60 years it has not increased much, not even to 1%. After 1992’s liberalization we have come out of the slow growth rate.” Expressing optimism and confidence he said that the country is on route and India will obviously cross the mark that it was before the Britishers came.
Saying that there is a lot of work to be done in between this change he said that it was imperative to first change our attitude, “Firstly, believe in ourselves, if our friends in the west can do, we can do it even better.”
Acknowledging the conducive environment created by the Modi-led government, support from the ministers and positive approach of the port trusts, Subhash Ji urged everyone to not let this opportunity pass. “For India and the investors in cruise industry the time is now or never,” he added.
Subhash Ji also announced the launch of Essel Group’s first cruise liner ‘Jalesh’. He added that while the group is into entertainment, but it now plans to enter cruise entertainment. Assuring Essel Group’s commitment towards cruise tourism and looking at the potential of the industry, he said, “It is an extension of entertainment, on the cruise too we have to entertain people. But at the same time as a responsible citizen of the country, I feel that this is the industry which can create jobs for at least one million people in the next 3-4 years.”
He added that it will give a boost to the industry and cruise tourism which also creates direct and indirect employment.
Speaking about the revenue currently earned from the tourism industry in India he said, “8% is not enough for the country the size of India. I am sure we can achieve hundreds of billions of dollars as a tourism industry, if we work together and work with positive minds.”
“Today people from here go abroad and take cruises. Why can’t we do it from here? That is what ‘Jalesh Cruises’ that we are launching is about.”He further added, “I know there are a lot of challenges, but we will be able to make it.”
He expressed confidence in the future of the industry and continued support from the ministry.
