Saturday, January 7 2006 17:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Affirming that the country was on the threshold of unprecedented opportunities, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Jan 7,2006) said development would occur 'only if we make the right choices.'

"No power can stop India from emerging as one of the top nations in the period of globalisation and social scientists should evolve plans for balanced socio-economic development," Singh said while inaugurating a seminar on 'Perspectives on Equitable Development International Experience and What Can India Learn," here.

The Prime Minister asked Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), which organised the seminar, and other Centres for Learning to become more actively engaged in policy debates at the state and regional level.

"To promote equitable development, sound macro-economic policies should be pursued to attract new investments and the government should provide social safety nets and social insurance to protect workers, farmers, self-employed and professionals from the downside of a down turn," he told the gathering of social scientists who will be participating the three-day seminar.

Admitting that there were shortcomings and external constraints during the past fifty years, Singh said the situation has changed now and it's time to g make the right choice.

The outcome of the seminar and similar debates, Singh said, must in tune with tapping the opportunities keeping in view the regional balances and equitable development.