Tag: gujarat

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Chinese envoy recalls Xi’s Gujarat visit, hails India ties

Chinese envoy Feihong reflected on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, drawing parallels between India and China as “fellow travellers.”…reports Asian Lite News

The Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on Thursday remembered Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and praised the relationship between India and China.

Sharing a post on X, Feihong wrote, “Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping and PM Modi walked along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, beautiful park and pleasant China-India relationship.”

“Today the park is still expanding its construction, and no efforts could be spared to advance our relationship,” the post added.

During his three-day visit, Chinese President Xi was accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan. During the visit, PM Modi and President Xi were seen sitting together on a swing on the banks of the Sabarmati River.

Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront developed along the banks of Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad.

Proposed in the 1960s, the construction began in 2005. Since 2012, under Phase 1, the waterfront has gradually been opened to the public as and when facilities are constructed.

The iconic Sabarmati Riverfront symbolises the very essence of Ahmedabad. The riverfront complex not only adds to the beauty and infrastructure of the city but also encourages a culture of fitness and sports amongst the general public.

Meanwhile, Chinese envoy Feihong also reflected on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, drawing parallels between India and China as “fellow travellers.”

In a post on X, he wrote, “Mahatma Gandhi observed that China and India are fellow travellers sharing weal and woe in a common journey. Yes, we supported each other fighting for independence and liberation. We share common dream of development and revitalization.” (ANI)

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Environment Gujarat India News

Gujarat flood toll rises to 28, over 40,000 displaced

A patient being evacuated by police personnel from a flood-affected area due to heavy downpours, at Narahari Hospital in Vadodara. (ANI Photo)

Rain-related incidents have claimed at least 28 lives in Gujarat in the last three days…reports Asian Lite News

Several regions in Gujarat were facing acute flood situation as heavy rainfall lashed parts of the western state for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, with Vadodara city being the worst-affected urban pocket where some areas were submerged under 10 to 12 feet of water. The alarming situation, especially in Vadodara, prompted the state government to rope in the help of Indian Army for relief and rescue operations, officials said.

Rain-related incidents have claimed at least 28 lives in Gujarat in the last three days, while around 40,000 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas to safety, state relief commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said.

Making the monsoon fury worse is the latest forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rains in isolated parts in various districts in Saurashtra region on Thursday.

Though there was a pause in rainfall in Vadodara, the city grappled with severe flooding in a large swathe of low-lying areas after the swollen Vishwamitri river, flowing through the city, breached its banks and entered residential localities, inundating buildings, roads and vehicles. The river breached its danger mark of 25 feet on Tuesday morning following torrential rainfall and release of water from the Ajwa Dam.

State’s health minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel, who rushed to Vadodara on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, said some low-lying parts of the city were submerged under 10-12 feet of water while some areas experienced 4-5 feet of flooding.

“With the Ajwa Dam’s water level reaching a critical 213.8 feet, officials have shut its gates to stop more water from flowing into the already overflowing Vishwamitri river. The river, now at 37 feet, has crossed its danger level, causing it to overflow and flood large parts of the city,” Patel said, adding that over 5,000 people were evacuated and another 1,200 rescued so far in Vadodara.

Amid flood-like situation prevailing in several parts of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up chief minister Bhupendra Patel to take stock of the situation, and assured the Centre’s support in tackling the natural disaster.

The chief minister, meanwhile, sought mobilisation of five additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and four Army columns to address the flood situation in Vadodara, the state government said in a release. Rescue boats from Ahmedabad and Surat have been dispatched to Vadodara, officials said.

At least 28 people have died in rain-related incidents in the last three days, with the deaths being reported from Rajkot, Anand, Mahisagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Morbi, Junagadh and Bharuch districts.

The deceased include seven of the eight people who went missing after the tractor trolley they were travelling in was swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway near Dhavana village under Halvad taluka of Morbi district on Sunday. Their bodies have been recovered, a police officer said, adding the whereabouts of a six-year-old girl who went missing in the incident are yet unknown.

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

Rahul bats for Dalit rights in Gujarat rally

The Congress leader criticised the government’s policies like the Agnipath Scheme and increased privatisation, which he said aimed at dismantling the reservation system…reports Asian Lite News

Insisting that the ongoing Lok Sabha election is a critical battle between two contrasting ideologies, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for posing a “direct threat” to India’s democracy and constitution.

“This is a fight between two thought processes. On one side, the BJP and RSS want to finish our constitution while on the other, we in the Congress and the INDIA bloc are safeguarding it,” said Gandhi while addressing a rally in Patan Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat.

He also criticised the government’s policies like the Agnipath Scheme and increased privatisation, which he said aimed at dismantling the reservation system.

“You will not find an Adivasi or a Dalit among the top anchors and editors in the country. Nor will you see unemployed youth or farmers on television, which instead showcases the opulent weddings of the wealthy and Bollywood actors,” said Gandhi.

Highlighting the current unemployment crisis, he emphasised that such issues are grossly underreported, with the voices of 90 per cent of Indians comprising farmers, labourers and small business owners rarely heard in the media.

The Congress leader also stressed the importance of a caste census for ensuring justice and proper representation for Dalits and Adivasis, questioning their absence from significant events like the Ram Mandir and Parliament inaugurations.

Patan seat was initially dominated by the Congress and later challenged by other parties like the Swatantra Party and Lok Dal.

A pivotal moment came in 1989 when the seat was reserved for the Scheduled Caste category, leading to a win for the Janata Dal. This marked a shift in the nature of political representation in Patan. The BJP won the seat in 1991 with Mahesh Kanodia setting the stage for ongoing contests between the BJP and Congress.

Congress drawing flak for poor planning

 As campaigning for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections gathers pace, a stark contrast has been observed by experts in the poll strategies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, especially when it comes to their star campaigners addressing rallies all over the country.

While the BJP, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular, has focused on holding election rallies in areas that go to voting next as per the seven-phase schedule, the Congress and its top leaders like Rahul Gandhi are drawing flak for being ‘careless’ with their planning.

PM Modi, having already done over 70 rallies and roadshows till now, on Sunday addressed four back-to-back rallies in Karnataka’s Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Davanagere, and Ballari, which will go to the polls in the third phase on May 7.

On Monday, he was in Karnataka’s Bagalkote before addressing public meetings in Maharashtra’s Solapur, Satara, and Pune.

On the other hand, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi addressed the public in Daman and Diu and Odisha’s Kendrapara on Sunday.

On Monday, he was in Gujarat’s Patan and Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur for campaigning.

Analysts are somewhat baffled with the Congress’ choice of venues for holding Rahul Gandhi’s rallies as Kendrapara goes to the polls in the seventh and last phase on June 1. Not just that, Congress’ last win in the constituency came way back in 1952.

Calling it a case of poor planning, the experts reckon it as one of the many reasons why the party has failed to maximise gains in the ongoing elections.

Meanwhile, even while following a gruelling schedule, addressing one rally after the other from one corner of the country to another, PM Modi is thanking the BJP supporters for turning up in large numbers for his rallies across the nation.

“Incredible energy at the public meeting in Pune! Gratitude to everyone for joining the rally in huge numbers,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a rally in Pune on Monday.

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Gujarat India News Politics

Gujarat Congress Ex-Chief Modhwadia Resigns

Modhwadia, a former Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly, wrote a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that he is resigning from all party positions…reports Asian Lite News

In a setback for Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, party leader and its former Gujarat unit chief Arjun Modhwadia resigned from the party and said that the leadership’s decision to decline the invitation for Pran Prathistha ceremony at Ayodhya had hurt the sentiments of people.

Modhwadia, a former Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly, wrote a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that he is resigning from all party positions.

In a hard-hitting attack, Modhwadia said the party had lost connection with the people. In his letter, Modhwadia hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and accused the party of “insulting Lord Ram by boycotting the Mahotsav in Ayodhya”.

He said that he had voiced his dissent when the Congress leadership declined the invitation to the Pran Pratishta event at the grand Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya in January.

“Prabhu Ram is not just pujaniya to Hindus, but he is the Aastha of Bharat. By declining the invitation to witness Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav have hurt the sentiments of the people of India, Congress as a party failed to assess the sentiments of the people,” he said.

“Since my dissent, I have met scores of people who were offended by the manner in which the Congress Party insulted Lord Ram by boycotting the Mahotsav in Ayodhya. To further distract and humiliate this pious occasion, Rahul Gandhi attempted to create a ruckus in Assam which further angered our party cadres and citizens of Bharat. Over and above, since the last few years, I found myself helpless to contribute to the people of my district Porbandar and the state of Gujarat,” he said.

Modhwadia said that he is leaving the party with a “heavy heart” after being associated with it for over 40 years and “given my entire life for”.

Modhwadia later told the media that he had tried to convey his message to the party but was not successful.

“When a party loses its connection with the people, it cannot survive for long. The people of the country wanted the Ram Temple to be constructed. The Congress had also decided that after a constitutional verdict from the Supreme Court, we would support it. Even then the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha was declined. I raised my voice then too, that this would hurt the public sentiment and we should not make such political decisions and that decision showed a lack of connection with the people. I tried to convey my message in several other matters, but I was not successful. Finally, I decided to resign today,” he said.

While BJP has declared some of its candidates from Gujarat for Lok Sabha polls, Congress is yet to decide its candidates. (ANI)

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-Top News India News Politics

AAP, Congress Clinch Seat-Sharing Deal in Gujarat, Stirs A Row

The pact, announced on Saturday, to give the Bharuch seat in Gujarat to AAP, has sparked debates.

Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have reached a seat-sharing agreement ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, causing a stir in Gujarat, especially over the contentious Bharuch seat. The pact, announced on Saturday, to give the Bharuch seat in Gujarat to AAP, has sparked debates.

Outlining the broader strategy, Congress General Secretary and MP, Mukul Wasnik, stated, “Gujarat has 26 Lok Sabha seats. Congress will contest on 24, leaving Bharuch and Bhavnagar for AAP.” This arrangement is part of the INDIA bloc’s efforts to consolidate opposition unity and challenge the ruling party in the upcoming elections.

The decision has not gone down well with all, particularly by members closely associated with the Bharuch constituency. Earlier on Friday, Mumtaz Patel, the daughter of the late Ahmed Patel, a veteran Congress leader with deep ties to Bharuch, voiced her concerns, saying, “This seat traditionally belongs to Congress, and its potential reallocation has demoralised many within our party.”

Bharuch is an important seat, here’s why:

The efforts to protect the seat were also done by Faisal Patel, Ahmed Patel’s son. He expressed his discontent in a letter to the party leadership, highlighting the emotional and political significance of the Bharuch seat to his family and the Congress party. He pointed out the demographic composition of Bharuch and the electoral history, including his father’s victories from 1977 to 1984, to argue against the seat-sharing decision. Faisal Patel warned that ceding Bharuch to AAP could replicate the adverse impacts seen in Delhi and Punjab, where Congress’ presence has waned.

The Bharuch seat has been a stronghold for the BJP since 1989, with Mansukh Vasava securing it for the party in six consecutive terms. The AAP’s performance in the region, particularly their win in Dediapada during the 2022 Gujarat polls, has been cited as a factor in the seat-sharing discussions.

However, concerns about diluting Congress’s traditional support base and jeopardising its chances of reclaiming the seat have led to calls for a reconsideration of the agreement. As the Congress-AAP alliance navigates, these internal disputes, the outcome of their deliberations on the Bharuch seat remains a focal point of interest in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

ALSO READ: Breakthrough for INDIA bloc: AAP, Cong seal deal

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Gujarat India News

Gujarat govt seeks to delete remarks against it in Bilkis Bano case

Gujarat government usurped the powers of Maharashtra government acting in furtherance of the judgment dated May 13, 2022, which in our opinion is a “nullity”, the apex court had said…reports Asian Lite News

The Gujarat government on Tuesday moved Supreme Court and filed a review petition seeking to expunge certain remarks made against the government for its conduct with regard to the premature release of the 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case.

The State said that the adverse remarks made against the government in the apex court’s judgment have caused great prejudice to the State government.

The Gujarat government has sought to delete adverse remarks against the State.

It further argued that the State government had only acted as per the mandamus issued by the Supreme Court by way of its judgment of May 2022.

Gujarat government was acting as per the Supreme Court’s May 2022 judgment which directed it to consider the remission application of one of the convicts, it said in the review plea.

The State submitted that it cannot be held to have “usurped” the jurisdiction of the State of Maharashtra when it was acting as per a direction of the Supreme Court.

On January 8, the Supreme Court struck down the Gujarat government’s order granting remission to 11 convicts who had gangraped Bilkis Bano and murdered her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots.

The top court had held that the Gujarat government was not competent to pass the remission orders but the Maharashtra government. It had said the appropriate government to decide the remission was the State (in this case Maharashtra) within whose territorial limits the accused are sentenced and not where the crime is committed or the accused are imprisoned.

It had held that the judgment of May 13, 2022, by which another bench of the apex court had directed the Gujarat government to consider remission of a convict as per the 1992 policy, was obtained by “playing fraud” on the court and by suppressing material facts.

Gujarat government usurped the powers of Maharashtra government acting in furtherance of the judgment dated May 13, 2022, which in our opinion is a “nullity”, the apex court had said.

Filing the review plea, the Gujarat government objected to the apex court’s observation that State of Gujarat has acted in tandem and was complicit with convict.

“The Supreme Court’s observation holding Gujarat guilty of ‘usurpation of power’ and ‘abuse of discretion’ for complying with the order of apex court, whereby another co-ordinate bench of this Court held the State of Gujarat to be the ‘appropriate government’ under section 432(7) of CrPC, and issued a mandamus to the State of Gujarat to decide the remission Application of a convict in accordance with the Remission Policy of 1992 which was in existence at the time of conviction in the State of Gujarat, is an error apparent on the face of the record primarily,” review plea of the Gujarat government stated.

The Gujarat government had released the 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, on August 15, 2022. All the 11 life-term convicts in the case were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008.

In March 2002 during the post-Godhra riots, Bano was allegedly gang-raped and left to die with 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter. She was five months pregnant when rioters attacked her family in Vadodara. (ANI)

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Gujarat India News STARTUPS News

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, TN Ranked Top States For Startups

The Minister noted that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, realizing the dreams of countless entrepreneurs and introducing innovative ways of doing business…reports Asian Lite News

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu were ranked as the best performing states in India at the startups awards function held here on Tuesday.

Addressing the startup awards and state ranking awards function, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said startups are playing a pivotal role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

He highlighted the diverse sectors in which startups are making substantial contributions, ranging from MedTech, FinTech, AgroTech to the aviation sector, drones, and simulators. He identified tourism as a sector with untapped potential, encouraging startups to explore innovative ideas around sustainable tourism.

He pointed out that PM Modi had said at the Vibrant Gujarat summit that the priority is New Age Skills, Futuristic Tech, AI & Innovation.

Expressing appreciation for the achievements in sectors like millets and food processing, Goyal urged startups to focus on new areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). He encouraged them to come up with ideas that make life easier and revolutionise existing ways of working.

The minister commended the significant progress made in the startup sector over the last eight years, stating that what was once a novelty has now become an integral part of the national mainstream.

Goyal expressed confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of both the young and old, urging them to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas to the startup ecosystem. He reiterated that age should not be a barrier to engage with new ideas and foster innovation.

The Minister noted that India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, realizing the dreams of countless entrepreneurs and introducing innovative ways of doing business.

During his address, Goyal outlined key initiatives that will be taken to further support startups, including the categorisation of startups into different sectors for more focused interactions, the sanitisation of data to identify their locations and track development stage of the startups, and efforts to ensure all startups are registered on the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) portal.

The Minister called for greater collaboration and mentoring through the MAARG portal – Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth of Startup India. He emphasised the importance of outreach and on-boarding startups with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as the process for onboarding of startups has been simplified. He encouraged startups to register for patent, copyright, and trademark protections as the fees have been reduced for them.

Goyal announced that ‘Startup Maha Kumbh’ is scheduled to be organised in March 2024. He assured continued government support for the startup ecosystem, inviting entrepreneurs to leverage the vast consumer market and work collaboratively to transition from an emerging to a developed startup system.

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-Top News Gujarat India News

Vibrant Gujarat Summit Seals 26.3L Cr Deals

In the 10th edition of the Vibrant Summit, MoUs for 41,299 projects worth a whopping Rs 26.33 lakh crores have been signed, reports Asian Lite News

The much-awaited Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has come to an end after three days of activities, witnessing various big-ticket investment proposals from various Indian and overseas companies.

The high-value investment proposals included Indian companies such as Adani Group, Reliance Industries, Tata Group, and global corporate DP World, among others.

In the 10th edition of the Vibrant Summit, MoUs for 41,299 projects worth a whopping Rs 26.33 lakh crores have been signed, the organiser said in a post on X.

A large part of the MoUs were in the green energy space, said officials.

In 2022, MoUs for 57,241 projects with investments worth Rs 18.87 lakh crores were signed, but the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With this, Gujarat accomplished a landmark by securing MoUs for investments in 2022 and 2024, surpassing Rs 45 lakh crores across 98,540 projects.

“Through MoUs in emerging sectors like Semiconductors, E-Mobility, Green Hydrogen, and Renewable Energy, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, themed ‘Gateway to the Future,’ aims to establish Gujarat as a leading state in realizing Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi’s vision of Viksit Bharat@ 2047,” the official X handle of Vibrant Gujarat wrote.

During these three days, about 3,500 foreign representatives joined the summit, and representatives from 19 states also converged.

The 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 was inaugurated on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The theme of this year’s three-day summit is ‘Gateway to the Future’ and includes the participation of 34 partner countries and 16 partner organisations.

The Summit is also being used as a platform by the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region to showcase investment opportunities in the North-Eastern regions.

The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was initiated by Narendra Modi in 2003, the then chief minister, to put Gujarat on the world map of trade and industry.

This year, multiple industry captains, including Chairman of ArcelorMittal, Lakshmi Mittal, Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Group, Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron Technologies, USA, Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, Jeffrey Chun, CEO Simmtech, South Korea, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman Tata Sons Limited, Chairman of DP World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Shankar Trivedi, Sr VP Nvidia and Nikhil Kamat, Founder and CEO of Zerodha, addressed the gathering and informed about their business plans.

Addressing the summit after formally inaugurating it on Wednesday, the Prime Minister reiterated the pledge to make India ‘viksit’ by 2047, making the next 25 years ‘Amrit Kaal’ of the country.

“It is time for new dreams, new resolutions and continuous accomplishments,” he asserted.

Referring to the 20th anniversary of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the Prime Minister remarked that the summit has showcased new ideas and created new gateways for investments and returns.

Throwing light on this year’s theme of ‘Gateway to the future’, the Prime Minister said that the future of the 21st century will be brightened by shared efforts.

During India’s G20 Presidency, the Prime Minister said that a road map for the future has been presented and is being forwarded by the vision of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

“The priorities and aspirations of India’s 1.4 billion citizens and their belief in human-centric development, coupled with the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality, are a major aspect of world prosperity and development,” the Prime Minister remarked. Today, the Prime Minister mentioned that India is the 5th largest economy in the world, while it lagged at 11th position a decade ago.

He also underlined that in the next few years, India will go on to become one of the top 3 economies in the world, as predicted by various rating agencies around the world. (ANI)

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-Top News Gujarat India News

Gujarat unveils Viksit Gujarat@2047 vision document 

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel showcases detailed timeline outlining the industrial, economic, and social development of Gujarat until 2047…reports Asian Lite News

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, in collaboration with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the CEO of Niti Aayog, BVR. Subrahmanyam, unveiled the visionary “Viksit Gujarat@2047” document during a seminar at Mahatma Mandir on the first day of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.

Gujarat takes a historic stride as the first state in India to introduce a comprehensive roadmap aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat@2047.”

Chief Minister Patel showcased a detailed timeline outlining the industrial, economic, and social development of Gujarat until 2047.

The ambitious goals set for “Viksit Gujarat@2047” include achieving a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of USD 3.5 trillion, elevating the per capita annual income to USD 38,000 to USD 40,000, and aiming for net zero emissions by 2047.

The state also aspires to boost women’s participation in employment to an impressive 75 percent and enhance the average life expectancy of citizens to 84 years through robust health infrastructure services.

During the unveiling, Chief Minister Patel emphasised the state’s commitment to contributing significantly to the nation’s growth.

Gujarat aims to raise its contribution to the country’s GDP from the existing eight and a half percent by achieving the USD 3.5 trillion GSDP target.

Praising Gujarat’s development model under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, Chief Minister Patel highlighted the state’s leadership in start-up rankings, cargo handling, industrial output, and exports.

The “Viksit Gujarat@2047” vision document aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Modi’s larger vision for a developed India by 2047.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commended Gujarat’s role as the growth engine of the country, recognising the state’s pioneering efforts in various sectors.

She emphasised the crucial role of Niti Aayog in shaping policies and reiterated the significance of cooperative federalism.

The Finance Minister expressed confidence that Gujarat, with its 19 per cent contribution to the total gross value addition of the country, would play a leading role in achieving the goal of “Viksit Bharat@2047.”

She underscored the collaborative relationship between the central and state governments as essential for advancing the nation.

CEO of Niti Aayog, BVR Subrahmanyam, acknowledged Gujarat as the first state to craft such a visionary document.

Recognising Gujarat’s trendsetting role, he urged the implementation of the vision document through the establishment of a dedicated cell in the state.

The seminar aimed at generating innovative ideas and suggestions for the effective implementation of the “Viksit Gujarat@2047” roadmap.

Chief Secretary Raj Kumar discussed the comprehensive vision, focusing on fostering a healthier, more educated, sustainable, and secure society.

The “Viksit Gujarat@2047” vision document was meticulously prepared through consultations with various stakeholders, thinkers, and policymakers.

It is expected to serve as a guiding framework for the state government in formulating impactful policies and programmes, steering Gujarat towards a future of sustainable and inclusive development.

Bhupendra Patel as he reaffirmed the state’s commitment to becoming a hub for the semiconductor industry, which was proposed in 2022.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2003, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has evolved into a flagship event and is now celebrating its 10th edition.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patel emphasised the increasing role of technology in India, particularly in the semiconductor and electronic sectors.

He highlighted the state’s proactive approach to embracing advanced technologies like AI, shaping the trajectory of everyday life.

“In order to prepare for the future,” Chief Minister Patel stated, “Gujarat is proud to be the first state in India to announce plans for developing a semiconductor industry.”

He underlined the state’s dedication to fostering the semiconductor sector, citing the swift allocation of land to Micron in Sanand as a testament to Gujarat’s commitment.

Patel said, “We are committed to encouraging and promoting the semiconductor sector. Within a week, we allocated the land to Micron in Sanand and presented an example of this commitment. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Gujarat is ready to be the semiconductor hub of the country to make the semiconductor programme in India successful.”

The Chief Minister expressed Gujarat’s ambition to position itself as a leading centre for semiconductors, echoing the state’s successful track record in various industries.

Gujarat’s prowess in following effective policies was acknowledged during the summit, with a particular mention of Gujarat Pharma’s remarkable achievements in the petrochemical sector.

The state’s embrace of the self-reliance campaign was credited for making previously unattainable goals a reality, transforming India from a net importer to an exporter of smartphones.

As Gujarat continues to forge ahead in various industries, the announcement on semiconductor development underscores the state’s commitment to technological advancement and economic growth.

The summit remains a platform for fostering partnerships and showcasing Gujarat’s strides towards becoming a leader in the ever-evolving landscape of global business. (ANI)

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Gujarat India News Investment

GIFT City Attracts Global Investors at Vibrant Gujarat Summit

The Education Centre of Australia has submitted an Expression of Interest to become an academic infrastructure service provider to foreign universities in GIFT City…reports Asian Lite News

GIFT City, which has expanded into a major international financial hub in India, has attracted a host of global investors. Many of them have made a beeline to mark their presence and to take the first movers’ advantage.

GIFT City is billed as a world-class business district envisaged and built to cater to global and domestic business enterprises. It aims to set an international benchmark for finance and technology hubs worldwide. During the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority decided to set up a one-of-a-kind sovereign fund in GIFT City. APEX Group, one of the leading fund administrators, decided to set up their office in GIFT City as a fund administrator and fund accounting service provider. APEX Group would employ around 1,000 people over 3 years.

Mizuho Bank becomes the second Japanese Bank to set up IFSC Banking Unit in GIFT IFSC. Deakin University inaugurated its campus in GIFT City, which is India’s first campus of a foreign-based university. Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Deakin University, Iain Martin inaugurated the campus. Prime Minister Narendra also held a one-on-one meeting with Deakin University VC.

The Education Centre of Australia has submitted an Expression of Interest to become an academic infrastructure service provider to foreign universities in GIFT City. This will bring leading foreign universities to GIFT City. Through the new education policy brought in in 2020, India has opened floodgates for foreign educational institutes to set up brick-and-mortar infrastructure. Further, Transworld Group has announced plans to set up ship leasing and aircraft leasing activities in GIFT IFSC. Transworld is one of the leading UEA-based groups.

Moreover, Accenture has shown a keen desire to establish its presence in GIFT City. Stonex Group intends to set up a bullion trading desk in GIFT City IFSC. As part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Global Fintech Leadership Forum held at GIFT City on Wednesday, the first day of the summit. The forum saw the participation of the chairman and CEOs of 26 prominent fintech companies worldwide, including Mukesh Ambani, Sanjay Mehrotra, and Lakshmi Mittal. The Prime Minister received recommendations from leaders of fintech companies to elevate GIFT City to an international standard and position India as a leading fintech country. PM Modi attentively listened to all the industrialists for nearly three hours. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of bringing together top industrialists in finance and technology to explore innovative solutions for the digital economy. The Prime Minister said that it is interesting to see how fintech will have a transformative impact on the world, and extended an invitation to industrialists to invest in GIFT City, aligning with the vision of making India a global leader in the financial sector. Hasmukh Adhia, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel and Chairman of GIFT City, provided insights into the purpose behind organising the Global FinTech Leadership Forum. The forum was moderated by renowned businessman Uday Kotak. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.

The theme of this year’s summit is ‘Gateway to the Future’ and includes the participation of 34 partner countries and 16 partner organisations. The Summit is also being used as a platform by the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region to showcase investment opportunities in the North-Eastern regions. (ANI)

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