The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a Global Summit on "Academic & Economic Reforms – Role of Cost & Management Accountants” organized by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in Kolkata today (June 29, 2017).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that he was delighted to inaugurate the Global Summit on "Academic & Economic Reforms – Role of Cost & Management Accountants”. He congratulated the Institute of Cost Accountants of India for conducting this Summit with a focus on two very important areas of reform.

The President said that India is a diverse country with the population of 1.3 billion with people speaking around 200 languages, practicing 7 major religions and belonging to 3 major ethnic groups yet remaining under one system, one flag and one Constitution. He said that this is the ethos of India. We must have change. We must move forward as a whole and not in isolation.

The President said that major reforms have been brought by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi such as presentation of Budget onFebruary 1instead ofFebruary 28. He said that the introduction of GST slated to be rolled out on July 1 will be another major reform.

The President emphasized on the need to provide quality education and revive the glory of higher educational system prevalent in ancient India when Universities like Nalanda, Taxila etc attracted mighty minds in the form of students and teachers.

This release issued at 1700 hrs.