Vibrant Gujarat 2013: Industrialists laud Gujarat CM Narendra Modi but shy away from "Modi for PM" chorus

AHMEDABAD: Industrialists and who’s who of Indian corporate world gathered at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 in Gandhinagar on Friday. This time, however, every speaker lauded chief minister Narendra Modi but shied away from joining in the “Modi for PM” chorus. In a big departure from the past summits, none of the speakers, barring Mukesh Ambani of RIL and Hari Bhartia of Jubilant Lifesciences, committed investments in the state. The investment sentiment will likely get clear only at the conclusion of the summit. Last time, Gujarat had attracted investment proposals worth Rs 20 lakh crore.

Congratulating Narendra Modi on his hat-trick in Gujarat Assembly elections, Godrej group chairman and CII president Adi Godrej said it was the result of continuing policies and commendable leadership. He appreciated the stress on Knowledge that Vibrant Summit will focus on this time and expressed hope that Gujarat and India will emerge as Knowledge hubs of the world.

Speaking at the inauguration function of the Vibrant Gujarat summit 2013, US-India Business Council (USIBC) president Ron Summers said: “How many countries or states can boast of double digit growth in the depressed global environment.” But Gujarat has provided growth by policies and able leadership, he added. He ended his speech with slogan: “Jai Hind”.

Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group chairman Anil Ambani hailed chief minister Narendra Modi as the King among Kings and requested the audience for a standing ovation for chief minister Narendra Modi. The audience readily relented as Ambani went on to say Modi dreams with his eyes open to ground realities and is a big magnet for attracting investments to Gujarat.

Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013

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Lauding Gujarati entrepreneurship, Mahindra and Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra said: “I don’t know what’s in the soil of Gujarat that makes such successful entrepreneurs.” Breaking his speech into Hindi, he said: Gujaratis are free from fear of failure and perhaps there lies their success in business ventures.” He ended his speech on a high regard for Gujarat: “We will soon have a Gujarat model of growth in China.”

RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani said Modi has determination to transform dreams into reality. In a lighter vein, he said: “I have attended all the summits held so far, so it 100 per cent presence from me.” He further said RIL is first a Gujarati company, then an Indian company and later a global company. He committed huge investment in mobile telephony in Gujarat and said RIL will invest Rs 1 lakh crore in Gujarat over the next few years.

Hari Bhartia of Jubilant Lifesciences committed investments worth Rs 1500 crore over the next two years. This will be over and above Rs 2000 crore so far, he said during his speech at the inaugural function of Vibrant Summit 2013.