Gandhinagar, Jan 11 (IANS) Sharing the stage with people who together control trillions of dollars and give direction to world economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday scaled his idea of Vibrant Gujarat to that of 'Vibrant India'.
He called upon countries and corporates to invest in India's growth story and sold his 'Make in India' campaign to the world business community.
As the proceedings began Sunday at Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir complex, Modi had UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State John Kerry, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, the prime ministers of Bhutan and Macedonia, ministers from Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Singapore and other countries, corporate czars and top CEOs by his side.
"This event is perhaps the biggest gathering on earth where a budding entrepreneur has the opportunity to see the president of the World Bank. Where a young farmer, dreaming to set up a food processing unit, can listen to the views of the UN secretary general on issues like food security," a visibly happy Modi said.
xxx
The number of private jets bringing in top industrialists, global CEOs, leaders and diplomats at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport and the blaring sirens of police vehicles escorting VIPs to the summit venue were an indicator of the how seriously everyone, Modi included, took the investment summit.
This year, the summit has the US, Britain, Japan, Canada, Holland, Australia, Singapore and South Africa as partner countries. Leading trade bodies like the United State India Business Council (USIBC), which has brought its biggest-ever delegation of over 130 top business honchos, and others are part of the event.
The scaled up summit saw Prime Minister Modi hosting and inaugurating the event here.
Top Indian industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Kumarmangalam Birla, Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani and ICICI Bank's Chanda Kochhar rubbed shoulders with global CEOs, including Ajay Banga of Mastercard.
"We are placing our bets on India," said Banga, who once studied at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
"In the next one decade, India can lead in ending poverty. Till India is part of our efforts (in removing poverty), the World Bank cannot succeed," World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was inspired by Modi's slogan 'Sabka saath, Sabka vikas'. "We should all adopt it," he said in a lighter vein.
xxx
Modi last hosted the summit in 2013 as chief minister of Gujarat.
From modest beginnings in 2003, the investment summit saw 17,719 MoUs (memorandums of understanding) being signed in 2013 when Modi still headed the state. This time, the figure is likely to cross 21,000.
"The investment commitments could be over Rs.15 lakh crore," one Gujarat official told IANS.
xxx
Modi met around 50 CEOs at the event. This time the agenda was not only about investing in Gujarat but in India.
BSF recovers 10 kg heroin in Punjab
Chandigarh, March 3 (IANS) Border Security Force (BSF) troopers recovered 10 kg of heroin along the India-Pakistan border in the Amritsar sector, a BSF spokesman said on Tuesday.He said that the
Weather Update: From Kashmir to the South, the weather changed its course, and temperature may increase in different parts
The weather has changed its course in India. In most parts of the country, day temperature has been seen as high, while in the northern part of India, people can get relief from snowfall. The
Raahgiri Day for disabled held
New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) The ministry of social justice and empowerment Sunday organised "Raahgiri day for persons with disabilities" here.A first of its kind event was organised as a unique
Earthquake: The person who predicted the earthquake in Turkey gave a warning, know what he said about India-Pakistan
Strong earthquake tremors were felt in the capital Delhi and NCR at 10.19 pm on Tuesday. Apart from this, earthquake tremors were also felt in many states including Uttarakhand, and Punjab. There was
DA hike up to 31 percent effective from July 1, separate orders will be issued for armed forces and railway employees
Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees has been increased from 28 percent to 31 percent of the basic pay with effect from July 1, 2021. This information has been given by the Ministry of
Mamta Banerjee meets PM Modi, and talks on many issues including GST arrears
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Delhi residence on Friday. The Trinamool Congress supremo is on a four-day visit to Delhi. Discussed issues like GST
UGC: Return the hostel, and mess fees taken during the Corona period, UGC gave instructions to educational institutions
The University Grants Commission has taken a tough stand regarding non-refund of hostel and mess fees during the Corona period. The UGC directed all the universities and higher educational
Team India Captain: Who will be the captain of the Indian Test team after Rohit? Apart from Rahane, these are the four strong contenders
After the defeat in the final of the World Test Championship 2021-23, there is a lot of talk about the captain of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma. There are calls for Rohit Sharma to be removed from
Award to 'UDAN' scheme: 419 new air routes started, this big target has been set by the Ministry of Aviation for 2024
Usha Padhi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation said that so far around 67 destinations have been connected and 419 new air routes have been started. Giving further information, he also
Earthquake in Arunachal Pradesh: The earthquake in Arunachal Pradesh shook the land of Arunachal Pradesh
Strong earthquake tremors were felt in Pangin, Arunachal Pradesh today. The earthquake occurred at around 6.56 am. According to the National Center for Seismology, the 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck
