Vibrant Gujarat Summit: Global leaders praise PM Modi's development initiatives

GANDHINAGAR: Vibrant Gujarat is purportedly a meeting of investors, but it has since inception in 2003 also been a platform for business leaders to sing platitudes of Narendra Modi. The seventh edition of the biennial meeting on Sunday was no different. “Welcome to the land of Krishna, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and now Shri Narendra Modi, our beloved Prime Minister and a world leader that India is very proud of,” said India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. “His powerful and passionate leadership has drawn the world best to Gujarat.

His clarion call of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ has energised India and its enterprise.” Kumarmangalam Birla, the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, said for his company, Gujarat is the most preferred investment destination in India. “We’re greatly impressed by proactive approach of government of Gujarat...I have a personal bias for it,” he said.

The state, he said, has progressed for nearly 15 years under Narendra Mpodi who was instrumental in creating a positive policy and governance framework with clearcut polices and speedy approvals for projects. “As CM, he showed exceptional energy to make things happen.” World Bank President Jim Youg Kim said he expected India to grow at 6.4% in 2015.

“The growth would come accelerated on the back of steps that have been taken by Narendra Modi,” adding that India is projected to be a bright spot in an otherwise medium global economic outlook. Yosuke Takagi, the minister from Japan, said last year when Modi visited Japan, in a meeting with the ministry of trade and economy, Japan, he mentioned an Indian proverb —“To know if rice is cooked, pressing one grain is enough.

Similarly to know how India has grown, just visiting Gujarat you can understand,” he said. Modi’s expression was deadpan as the paeans continued. He broke into a smile only when something was said in jest.