'Can India be the World's Bright Spot?' Top Leaders Speak at HT Summit

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal is speaking at the 13th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Below are the highlights of the session:

• On odd-even number plates, the Chief Minister says Delhi govt announced a host of plans to curb pollution. Court was forced to say we are living in a gas chamber
• Since we came to power, but it was a medium term goal. Because we wanted to redesign roads, fix public transport - bring in 10,000 new buses
• There is a lot of dirt in Delhi's air. From April 1, we will start vacuum cleaning on all PWD roads. That will suck all the dust.
• There are lots of reasons for pollution in Delhi detailed by IIT Kanpur. Burning of trash is one of them, We are coming down heavily on that. We will penalise those burning trash
• Swachh Delhi app got 50,000 complaints, 42,000 have been  addressed. This app will also be used to track down trash burning and polluting vehicles now
• Rajghat and Badarpur thermal power plants will be shut down to control pollution
• Time for movement of trucks will be changed from 9 pm to 11 pm
• We are strengthening PUC certificate testing and introducing new features so that this testing cannot be cheated with
• Camera traps will be put which will catch cars with PUC certificate stickers
• Euro 6 standard will be implemented in Delhi by Jan 1, 2017. Centre will implement this in 2019.
• We are considering elevated bus corridors
• The odd-even decision has been taken in principle. Many things need to be sorted out. We don't want to do anything that will inconvenience the public. We will fist try this for 10-15 days.
• Lots of agencies need to be brought on board. Exceptions need to be put in place.
• The government earlier used to intervene in small matters. So we are not micromanaging
• My experience suggests that it's not rocket science to govern
• You need your space to be able to govern
• Some problems are political, some are constitutional
• There is so much crime. We asked Police for a list of beat constables so we can put up on a website. Commissioner said we don't report to you, won't give you list
• I handle the politics of Delhi governance. That's my portfolio
• When I met with PM last time, I told him whatever dreams you have, I will realise - Cleanliness, Yoga, Skill India, everything. And you will get all the credit. You don't even have to give any money, just stop this interference
• PM talks of his 'mann hi baat'. I talk of your 'mann ki baat'.
• Event managers told me they need 27 clearances to organise an event in Delhi, now everything is online.
• Our changed measure was tried out by the Zubin Mehta concert
  Organisers got permit in 20 minutes online
• I was never anti-establishment, but concerned about the society
• No substance in rumours of me becoming face of party for Punjab elections
• On Hike in Salary of MLAs:  41 crorepatis among AAP lawmakers, I am one of them because I have an IRS flat too. But that is not income.So the hike, is from 12,000 to 50,000 for salary. Another 50,000 is constituency allowance. So that's 1 lakh. The rest are reimbursements
• If PM's salary is less than ours, it should be increased.
• On Punjab elections: Our survey tells we are winning. Won't be surprised if Delhi results are repeated. If Navjot Sidhu comes to party he will be welcomed but we haven't had talks yet
• Some people are touring the world. I haven't stepped out of Delhi after becoming the Chief Minister. I only work for Delhi.
• On safety, I'd like to say though the Delhi Police does not come under me. I can say you are as safe on public vehicles as you are in your cars
• The state of affairs in Delhi will definitely improve. We will work together
• I'd like to say the CAG report has exposed the swindles of power discoms. Though the audit has been halted by the High Court, we will take it to the Supreme Court.
• Rs 250 crore was the initial cost of the flyover that had to be constructed. It was made before the deadline for Rs 100 cr less
• There should be more schools than demand. Admission should be the right of children.
   

In discussion with Nikhil Naz, Sports Editor, NDTV 24x7, Justice Mudgal, former Aussie skipper Ian Chappell, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, former India cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, spoke at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Here are some highlights:


• BCCI is a bully, says former Australian skipper Ian Chappell when asked to describe it in one word
• Gautam Gambhir says BCCI is 'transparent' when asked to describe it in one word
• The accountability of the BCCI is absolutely zero: Bishan Singh Bedi
• BCCI should have an executive officer to oversee the affairs: Mukul Mudgal
• Sharing of spoils biggest evil in BCCI: Mukul Mudgal
• You got to have the right people in the mix, especially those who have played the sport: Gautam Gambhir
• Putting an administration body together is like picking a cricket team: Ian Chappell
• India has a lot of power now, but with power comes responsibility: Ian Chappell
• The credibility factor is very low as far as the BCCI is concerned: Bishan Singh Bedi
• The BCCI anti-corruption unit does not have coordination with the police: Mukul Mudgal
• The players' voice is very important in issues of match-fixing or chucking: Bishan Singh Bedi
• Everything in cricket administration these days seems to be related to the bottom line: Ian Chappell
• BCCI becoming professional depends on the quality of people involved: Gautam Gambhir
• I personally feel BCCI should have the moral responsibility to promote other sports: Gautam Gambhir
• BCCI has got way too many politicians involved. Cutting back on them isn't a bad start: Ian Chappell

• Gender should have nothing to do with your ability and performance. We are beyond that.
• Tolerance is the strength of our country. There are some fringe elements who are misusing Hinduism in India.
• I think Bihar election has done a great job. Bihar polls answer to 'Go To Pakistan Remarks.'
  

• What about ISIS flags in Kashmir?
  

• These ISIS flags are just to catch attention. These ISIS people, they are destroying everything Islam holds dear. That's why I think Kashmiris will never get swayed by that. The Kashmiri boys are innocent.ISIS talks about rapes, pillaging...that's complete anti-thesis of Islam.
• Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India has to go beyond ownership of land. The negative image projected by the media undermines the dignity of Kashmiris. No channel bothered there to show 25,000 people turn up for Independence Day.
  

• Would you like your daughter to join politics?
  

• No, not at all!
  

• What about ruling coalition in the state?
  

• My father partnered with the BJP because Mr Modi has come with such a huge mandate and he has often said he wants to follow Mr Vajpayee's policy.
  

• Do you think he's done that?
  

• Well, he's coming around to it.
• If we want to deal with terrorism, we have to have cooperation with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh.
• We need to be wholesome and accommodating about these things (relations with Pakistan).
• Our government is very serious about rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits.
  

• Do you believe Article 370 should be repealed ? (audience question)
  

• No fiddling with Article 370. It is a  unique state , different in every way from other states. If Kashmiris chose to be part of India, we need to be treated specially. If there is Article 370, then we will have a more stronger bond with India.
  

• ISIS is against Islam, still why younger Muslims are attracted towards it? (audience question)
  

• ISIS plays up Afghanistan, Iraq war victimhood. ISIS is cashing on this general feeling of victimhood. We should not be influenced by ISIS so much that start suspecting every Muslim. Indian Muslims should be saluted.

(Also Read:No Alternative to Vajpayee's Policy on Pakistan: PDP's Mehbooba Mufti)

• India largest democracy in global industry.
• The world economy has been worse, far worse before.
• We are heading into a period of slower growth.
• Donald Trump isn't going to be the US president and that is really a good thing.
• India is projected over next 5 years to be fastest growing economy in the world.
• I am very optimistic about the capacity of India.

•  What are the chief concerns of investors coming to India?

• Speedy decision making has never been an Indian hallmark. There is still too much of sense in India, that being well-connected is particularly very important in the country. If this can be worked on, nothing like it.

• If you were in Janet Yellen's (US Fed Chief) position what would be your major decision?

• There is too much concern about austerity.

• What is your view on Kyoto Protocol? 

• Growth of emissions has been from industrial countries and not India. You're right in protesting against it. The climate has gotten warmer and it is not because of India, your Prime Minister is right.

• I would say that the world needs all the science it can get. Breaking down barriers is very important

• I have been coming to India since the age of 17.
• I wanted to explore the world as a teen and India was one of the destination.
• I loved different food, clothes smell....I travelled and absorb culture. In India I was comfortable.
• One of the great things about being an actor is that you get to learn things about life which you don't get to learn in any other profession.

• You have supported charities. Do you believe you like doing it? What drives you towards this?

• We live in small world and we have to protect each other and help each other.

• What about anonymity?

• Beyond films, I live a very quiet and private life. I don't live under the spotlight every day.

• Which is one director you would love to work with?

• I would love to work with Steven Spielberg.

• What would you like to be in your next life?

• I'm an introvert. I would like to be reborn a crazy extrovert.

• Now, coming to questions from the audience: As a thinker, as a creative person, what's the one thing that worries you about today's world?

• Not having enough human contact.... excessive use of technology... that scares me the most. I see less and less conversation these days.

•  Coming to next question, where do you see yourself 20 years from now?

• I would be down on my knees and very humble to just be alive 20 years from now.

•  What message would you give to India to save the girl child?

• Education in terms of understanding is a must for all. The female dynamic is so important.

Kangana Ranaut:

• I used to study 19 hours a day. I used to look outside my class and see athletes
• During my 11th Standard, results were quite disappointing. I could not even be in the first ten. I could see the chances of me becoming a doctor were very very bleak
• There was a time when there was a strong discrimination. There were actors, stars and superstars.
• Women who ask for what they deserve in the industry are considered difficult. You must know when to put your foot down
• Films as a business is not a platform for charity. All of us contribute in our own ways. Films can't be made for charity.
• When I first saw Kareena's picture, I was awestruck with her cheekbones
• I don't care how I am remembered, I just want to know how I remember people
  

  Kareena Kapoor Khan:
  

• I think my parents couldn't handle the brat I was refusing to study and hang out at shoots.
• Though at one point I did want to be a lawyer
• I realised very young this is what I want to do.
• I actually cried when I left home. I would love to go back to school
• My principal made me believe that there is a little more to life than films
• I continued following my dream and I think i am a good actor
• I don't think I have become reserved after marriage. I am still the same. I am the last person to be reserved.
• I love my job, I love what I am doing.
• When an actor is not conversing a lot and doesn't have dialogues, I think that's the most difficult part
• I would never like to be forgotten

Imtiaz Ali

• I feel women have always been better actors than men.
• We are all very tolerant in the film industry
• Congratulations to both of you for bringing glamour to the industry.

• I don't think the word drama would be an appropriate word for either of the two institutions (Parliament and Court). Fundamental difference between the two.
• Parliament is a forum for MPs - since they are peoples representatives.
• These are all motivated with some kind of compassion, concern of political constituency.
• Courts are different, they predominantly look into legal aspect of the matter therefore court proceedings are never shrill.
• But of course there is an underlying impression that the last word has to be yours.
• Therefore the sense of authority does remain in the institution.
• I have always seen separation of powers in not a defined concept.
• The larger picture is not such a bad news. I don't recollect since 1991 when reform process started, a single legislation that has been abandoned altogether because Rajya Sabha said 'no'.
• There have been delays but there hasn't been indefinite abandonment. Reforms get obstructed indefinitely is not true.
• Larger issue that in a country with a bicameral system what should be the relationship.
  I don't foresee in future any government that has absolute majority in Upper House.
• Lower House is a directly elected House so mandate principle is always with them. Lower House elected on a manifesto unlike Rajya Sabha.
• Now I am told that last month, Italy has moved in the same direction.
• Therefore we will have to follow the practice that by consensus that we come to a view.
  Otherwise you have a system when an indirectly elected House vetoes the directly elected House.
• I am not particularly worried about the fiscal deficit. This year after a long time, not only will we achieve it but also the quality of it.
• Last year we were in the middle of the year. This year we had a free hand, we have concentrated on the quality and will be probably able to maintain it.
• As far as salaries and pensions are concerned, normally in India's fiscal practice we follow a system where the salary and pension pressure on the budget should be about 2.5% of GDP.
• In the initial year it moves up an economy growing at 7%, base of GDP increases. By the end of 3-4 years, the spikes come down. As the economy expands itself the capacity to absorb them also grows.
• If you continue to grow, then that growth leads to additional revenue.
• It's been always suggested by the RBI and Governor publicly suggested it. Small savings rate must come down.
• As an elected government we have to look at it with a sense of political pragmatism.
• I don't think its any longer possible to classify government programmes into traditional ideological brackets.
• For instance what is the India model? The Indian model is a lot more market centric, growth centric, and encourages private sector activity.
• At the same time of out of the revenues, a very large part has to go for social security programmes.
• Therefore a combination of the two that India has evolved.
• Incentivising private sector, easing business to grow, international investment to come in.
  At the same time we have to look at our social security programme.
• Every school in India has toilets. Now we have to maintain them
• Idea is, are we only going to speak people who still carry night soil on their hands?
• Apart from fiscal planning, once you are moving towards GST, one fact is clear that your service tax is going to be shared by states.

• Uttar Pradesh being the most populated states has taken path breaking decisions
• I can say after four years, that many decisions have been taken which can be an example for the nation
• It is true that Samajwadi Party is a little behind in marketing and branding
• We have created a balance between farmers and urbanisation
• The expressway from Delhi to Lucknow will be the biggest one - six lane expandable to eight lane
• No canes were used. Farmers gave their land peacefully. It will be functional tomorrow
• Lucknow Metro is being made at the fastest speed in the country
• Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state in the country. Cattle head has also gone up
• 45 lakh women are getting pension
• This is the difference between Socialists. They are what they are. Who is not scolded by parents one shouldn't feel bad when a father complains
• We are not fighting for rights. There is no fight between father and son for rights
• 10 lakh stolen from ATM, you will see our photos on news. 22 crores were stolen, did they show any photo of the Chief Minister
• You have to see everything in totality
• One thing should be cleared. If there is any communal politics, it will not benefit Socialists
• It is easy to be communal but tough to be secular, if we have communal riots, who will gain
• The worst thing is always shown about us
• Mulayam Singh's birthday was not a controversy. Some people celebrate birthdays behind closed doors, we do it in the open with everyone
• On Netaji's birthday, we didn't spend any money from the government
• Drought - Yes we should be prepared, there is no drought right now. I decided and started preparing for it

• There's no problem - Uncle (Azam Khan) and Netaji's (Mulayam Singh Yadav) relations have been the same as always
• Our party was shamed during Badayun. The truth came. Did anyone say even once that they made a mistake

• I said that we will not take the issue to the United Nations
• Police was there on time, victims admitted in the hospital. Police will reach when they have information
• Some wanted it to become a big issue. We took action, sent people to jail, slapped National Security Act
• Achche Din, where did they go - Love Jihad
• You are taking a selfie with everyone. We should forget about what people are eating and wearing
• When we give laptop, they say it is a sop
• According to population Uttar Pradesh is the biggest state in India. If we go into losses, how will we make roads, bridges
• If we are building an expressway from Agra to Lucknow, we are spending Rs 14,000 crore
• I have met PM Narendra Modi, have written to him for more funds for the state, stating that you (PM) came to Uttar Pradesh to become PM, you have to help
• BJP creates divide, the kind of language used by their people
• On Rahul Gandhi
• Rahul Ji is an old friend
• I will be with them if Mulayam Singh ji is PM and Rahul Gandhi is Deputy. I will say yes to the alliance right now

(Also Read:Mulayam Singh as PM, Rahul Gandhi as Deputy PM: Akhilesh Yadav's Formula)

• I am sure there will be extensive discussions on the topic you have decided
• It is an acceptable fact that India is one of the fastest growing economy in the world
• Let us place what is happening in India in the context of the world and in context of what we witnessed in the recent past
• Let us place what is happening in India in the context of the world and in context of what we witnessed in the recent past
• There was an environment of disappointment. If we keep this in mind and then look at the current scenario. However good the people and party, but if there is a fractured mandate, there is mood of apprehension, whether they can do it or not
• The first change or credit to the people is giving a full mandate. Credit goes to 125 crore Indians
• You need to work hard for long periods to change the economic scenario
• For many years, we have either been stable or fall back, forget about moving ahead. We had also become used to it
• Having a stable Government is a very big thing and this can't be ignored. Fractured mandates always have uncertainty
• On 'Ease of Doing Business', we were either constant or falling. Progressing in those rankings was unthinkable in the past
• States we never usually look towards did well in 'Ease of Doing Business' rankings- Odisha, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh
• India is not going to progress from Delhi. States have the most important role in India's progress. States and Centre must work together
• Till now Delhi decided where states will spend money. This has changed and now Chief Ministers decide where money will be spent
• It is important that the world knows about our states and the strengths of our states
• I thank the states for being open to Centre and yet made their point
• We want exports to grow, but that is not on the agenda of states. Do states do anything for exports
• We requested states to make export promotion council, meet such people and understand their problems
• First time we have tried to join the states with the global world
• We signed MoU with 100 cities for changing LED bulbs. The day this work is completed - 21,500 MW electricity would be saved
• I can't say for HT, but it will definitely make it as a headlines in some newspaper
• On a pilot basis we tried to make Chandigarh free from kerosene
• This will lead to savings of Rs 45,000 every year. Imagine the change
• 80 per cent kerosene never went to the homes yet kerosene was being used
• Only 3200 families used kerosene, we decided to send them gas cylinder
• The black marketing stopped, environment improved. I am just telling you the direction is important
• If I cut down subsidy, I will be hailed as reformist, but if we do targetted delivery of subsidies it is not seen as reform
• When we travel in a plane and keep a book on an empty seat next to us, which is not even ours, but when the rightful owner comes, we feel bad emptying it. This is our mentality
• When Modi says give up gas subsidy of Rs 300-400, how would you feel.
• I am happy to tell you that over 40 lakh people have given it up. The country that does not like giving up seat next to them has done so. This shows how the country is changing
• We also decided that the people who gave up subsidy, we will not keep their money, we want to convert it into a source of strength for society
• We transferred the gas cylinders to people who use firewood
• We also tell the people who gave up subsidy that your share has gone to the poor
• First time, Rupee bond has been accepted for Railways at London Exchange
• Development of India's eastern part cannot be ignored. They are areas with great potential
• When we fill air in cycle, then we check with the metre. Imagine if there is a bubble in the tube and all the air goes there. So the air is there in the tube but the cycle will not move
• Similarly if the country's economy moves only in the West and not in the Eastern part, then India will not be able to move forward
• Four days ago an important thing happened. I wish media had noticed
• India will make Rail engines. Files have been moving for years, nothing happened.
• 40,000 crore FDI for two rail engines has happened last week - both in Bihar - decided after Bihar election
• Eastern India will be linked to the gas grid. 80,000 crore urea subsidy

(Also Read:Centre, States Must Work Together for India's Progress: PM Modi)