Vajpayee tags poverty-free India to urgent reforms

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee Tuesday said consensus was needed on urgent economic reforms for the country to become "free at last" of poverty, unemployment and disease.

"To me, the true test of reforms is when they beneficially touch the lives of all Indians -- especially the poorest and those living in backward regions," he said in a New Year's message from the western state of Goa where he is on holiday.

Vajpayee said he wanted to see an India "free at last of poverty and unemployment, of illiteracy and disease, of poor shelter and sanitation, and of all other curses of underdevelopment.

"For this we have to expand the area of consensus on economic and other urgent reforms, so that these can be implemented speedily and effectively."

He said India was embarking on its most ambitious program to upgrade its roads network since independence from British rule in 1947 while rail and air links were also being strengthened.

"I would, however, place a far bigger importance on another connectivity effort... connectivity of the hearts and minds of one billion Indians.

"No nation has ever attained greatness without first attaining success in the awakening and organising of the whole strength of its people."

Vajpayee also urged people to reduce their dependence on the government.

"For example, why should our cities and villages be so unclean and unhygenic? Can this not be changed visibly by changing the habits and the mindset of each one of us?"

He also urged the rich to provide more funds for the care of orphans, the disabled and the destitute.