Saturday, October 15 2005 15:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Charkhi Dadri (Haryana): India should take immediate steps to eradicate poverty and improve health and educational sectors if the country aspires to become a rightful member of the developed world, NRI industrialist and British MP Lord Swraj Paul said today (Oct 15, 2005).

Visiting this remote hamlet in Haryana, the birthplace of his mother Moongwati Devi, Lord Paul said, "Education is a major issue in India and the country's money should go into this sector. We must educate all our children."

"We as a nation are improving, but more needs to be done. We need to concentrate on education, health and eradicating poverty to take its place in the developed world," Lord Paul told reporters after visiting Apeejay School and College, founded by his brother Stya Paul here.

Lord Paul was leading a six-member British Parliamentary delegation to the village, which is a special place for him because he belonged to the place.

Asked why he brought the delegation here, the Chairman of $1.3 billion Caparo Group said, "The members wanted to have a first hand feel of rural India. The country's strength lies in rural India."

About Indo-British relations, he said it was 'strongest' as ever. "India and Britain have a lot to gain from each other by combining together their efforts in all the fields, whether it is education or culture."

Paul was earlier given a civic reception where senior officials of the district administration were present.