🟢News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2024 : Jayen Mehta GCMMF | Ashish Dhawan Ashoka | Neera Nundy Dasra

Summary

The discussion explores key challenges and opportunities in addressing inequities in India, focusing on healthcare, education, and economic growth. Panelists emphasize the need for stronger public-private partnerships, innovation in policy implementation, and capital mobilization through models like fund-of-funds. Solutions include incentivizing doctors to work in rural areas, empowering women in leadership, and breaking down patriarchal barriers. The conversation highlights the role of youth in shaping India's future and calls for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to build an inclusive and equitable society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The next 25 years in India present a solid growth trajectory, with a focus on labor-intensive growth to reduce inequity while accelerating overall development.
• 😀 Public-private-philanthropy (PPP) partnerships are crucial for addressing gaps in healthcare and education, as the government cannot do it alone.
• 😀 The government must continue playing an active role in incentivizing healthcare professionals to work in underserved areas, ensuring that hospitals are well-supported in rural regions.
• 😀 The focus on urbanization is essential for ensuring that healthcare services and specialists are accessible in smaller towns, and the quality of life for healthcare professionals is improved.
• 😀 Innovation, collaboration, and partnerships are essential for addressing large-scale issues in India, especially in the fields of healthcare and education.
• 😀 The creation of fund-of-funds with significant outlays is a promising approach for mobilizing capital and empowering multiple stakeholders to deploy resources more efficiently.
• 😀 India’s healthcare system is underfunded and under-served, with a notable gap in the number of surgeries conducted compared to global standards, highlighting the need for better access and awareness.
• 😀 Healthcare needs to be viewed not only as a matter of access but also as a matter of addressing underserved areas, with significant room for improvement in surgical care and public health awareness.
• 😀 The youth of India hold the key to the country’s future, with their aspirations and transformative potential offering hope for a better tomorrow.
• 😀 The fight against patriarchy remains one of the most crucial societal issues to tackle in order to create a more inclusive and equitable India, with a focus on empowering women in leadership roles.

Q & A

What is the main challenge faced by impact investors in India, as discussed in the script?

The main challenge faced by impact investors in India is the difficulty in achieving competitive returns while also fulfilling the goal of making a social impact. Investors often struggle to balance both goals, especially when they are required to deliver the same financial returns as traditional investors.

What is the concept of an 'Impact Coin' mentioned in the discussion?

An 'Impact Coin' is proposed as a way for the government to incentivize investments in underserved areas or sectors. It would function as a means to mobilize capital, generate returns, and receive compensation, especially for regions where creating value is a challenge, like Samastipur.

What is the idea behind expanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to include philanthropy?

The idea is to expand traditional Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to Public-Private-Philanthropy Partnerships (PPPP), especially in critical sectors like healthcare and education. The government cannot completely rely on the private sector, and philanthropy can help bridge gaps and provide additional resources.

Why is it important for doctors and healthcare providers to go to aspirational districts?

It is crucial for doctors and healthcare providers to set up healthcare facilities in aspirational districts to ensure equitable access to medical services. These regions often lack proper healthcare infrastructure, and providing services there can help reduce disparities in health outcomes.

What role does urbanization play in improving healthcare, according to the script?

Urbanization plays a significant role in improving healthcare because it ensures that doctors and healthcare providers have the infrastructure, schools, and quality of life necessary to work in remote areas. It helps in attracting professionals to underserved regions and improving the overall healthcare system.

What is the biggest learning for Ashish when it comes to institution building?

Ashish's biggest learning is that institution building is a collaborative effort. It is better to work with others, especially the government, rather than trying to go it alone. Being innovative and outcome-oriented is also essential in building effective institutions.

How does Vinesh view the potential of 'fund of funds' structures in India?

Vinesh sees 'fund of funds' as a promising way for the government to mobilize capital. By setting up larger funds with less direct control, the government can enable thousands of others to efficiently deploy capital, thus accelerating growth and investment in various sectors.

What is Shin’s perspective on India’s healthcare system, particularly the number of surgeries performed?

Shin points out that India has a significant gap in healthcare access, particularly when it comes to surgeries. The country performs far fewer surgeries than is needed, and many people suffer due to a lack of access to necessary medical procedures. He stresses the importance of reducing out-of-pocket spending and improving awareness to increase access.

What initiative is Nara focusing on to drive social change in India?

Nara is focusing on transforming women’s leadership across various sectors, including business, philanthropy, and development. She believes that empowering women in leadership positions is critical to breaking down patriarchy and fostering a more equitable society.

Why does Nara believe that India’s youth give hope for the country’s future?

Nara believes that the aspirations of India's youth provide hope for the country's future. She emphasizes that young people’s dreams and their drive to see a transformed India represent the energy needed to overcome existing challenges. The collective responsibility to support these aspirations is crucial for the country's growth and transformation.