New Delhi: Breaking fresh ground and offering a new model of development, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Aug 6, 2004) suggested creation of seven economic zones based on their core competence and missions for evolving an economically empowered nation.

He also made it clear he was convinced that economic development of India would not be complete unless the lifestyle and living conditions of 35 crore people in BIMARU States like Bihar, MP, Orissa and UP are lifted.

In keeping with his unusual style, he made a power presentation at the 'India Today' Chief Minister's conclave saying that the thrust of it is to evolve an empowered nation through seven economic zones from 28 States and Union Territories based on their core competence and missions for water, power, healthcare, education and employment generation.

The country will be divided into Northern, Desert, Gangetic, Northeast, Deccan, Southern and Coastal regions since economic development is a function of core competence, specific natural resources, climatic conditions and cultural heritage of a particular region, he said.

Addressing a gathering that included Union Ministers and CMs, Kalam said that every Chief Minister is the CEO of the State whose vision for development will lead to generation of multiple missions and a movement.

"All that we have to do is to make up our minds and have a conviction that the nation is above all of us. Let us empower our people to work with indomitable spirit towards the mission of nation building," he said.

Kalam said he considered that the holistic planning and development have to be region-based since rivers, hills, climate, terrain and culture are based on regions. "Hence the solution to problems and development schemes also need to be region-based," he said.

He said that the BIMARU States had adequate water, natural resources and hardworking people but the results of modern economic development had not reached most of the people.

"It can happen only through improving the skill level and creating employment opportunities for the youth and structured marketing for the products of the region to ensure balancing of the demand and supply.

"One of the most important ingredients for development of regions is the evolution of mission-driven management structure...unified planning, decentralised execution with empowerment of the local bodies will lead to overall development of regions," he said adding his presentation could help in the evolution of a roadmap for an economically empowered nation during the 10th and 11th plan period.

Suggesting integrated action for development of each of the seven regions, he favoured education with value system for all leading to entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, healthcare and nutritional security for all.

Containment of population growth and excellent infrastructural facilities, including water and electricity to be addressed on priority for maintaining the momentum of economic growth was also emphasised by him.

As part of integrated actions of development, Kalam favoured progressive shift of the workforce from agriculture to manufacturing sector and to the service sector, which should take place through well-conceived industrial growth.

Value addition to agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors, building the regions' core competence and technologies will lead to additional high income employment potential.

The engines for growth will be launching of five national missions water, energy, education and skills, infrastructure and employment generation that will enable achievement of 10 per cent GDP growth rate per annum which has to be sustained for a minimum period of 10 years.

He advocated region-wise missions under which agriculture, tourism, light engineering manufacture and herbal products in Northern region, power generation and milk and dairy products in desert region, agriculture, agro-food and flood water harvesting in Gangetic region, hydro power and herbal products in north Eastern region, industrial-based pharma, sugar, automobile industry and tourism in Deccan region and knowledge products, bio-technology and automobile products in Southern region.

The coastal region could take up fisheries, water generation for drinking and irrigation through seawater desalination process and sea-based eco tourism.

He also stressed on the need for connectivity for national development.