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Making Gujarat Vibrant: Some thoughts on Vibrant Gujarat 2013

Published By : Admin | January 10, 2013 | 18:29 IST

Dear Friends,

I hope the New Year has been treating you well! For the coming 3 days Gujarat is hosting the 6th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. It was back in 2003 that we organized the first of this biennial event and I am glad to say that the past five summits have been a resounding success and made a strong contribution to the development journey of Gujarat by attracting investments worth Rs. 820 billion. These summits have immensely contributed in making Gujarat a Global Business Hub and been instrumental in creating innumerable opportunities for our people.

This year’s Vibrant Gujarat Summit is not just bigger in scale and participation but it creates a fascinating confluence of knowledge, thoughts and ideas from around the world for sustainable, holistic and inclusive development.

For the next three days top-level diplomats, high-powered delegations from over 120 nations will converge at the iconic Mahatma Mandir and other places in Gujarat. From India we will have captains of industry, top companies and most of the Indian states participating. More than 125 different kinds of seminars, discussions, conferences and talks are a part of the Summit. Some of them have been held already and we look forward to the rest in the coming days.

This high level of participation by so many nations as well as states is no small thing. It is a manifestation of the fact that the world has taken note of the Gujarat model of development. And if there is someone who is worthy of congratulations it is you- the 6 crore people of Gujarat. It is your hard work and sweat that has made Gujarat synonymous with development not only in India but also across the world.

The 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Summit is unique because it has gone beyond the conventional considerations of hardcore financial investments. A key focus area for this summit is the knowledge sector. History has shown that whenever we have entered an era of knowledge, it is our great nation that has shown the way. The 21st century is the century of knowledge and if we want to take on the mantle of the leadership of the world, we will need to strengthen our knowledge creation and spreading mechanisms. That is why knowledge sector is a prime area of focus.

Yesterday I was at the International Conference of Academic Institutions. Among all the events of the Summit, this one is most important for me. Under a single roof we had 135 universities & institutes from 56 nations and 60 universities & institutions from 14 states participating in the conference. Several MoUs were signed and I got an opportunity to interact with many of the sharpest minds that have made a mark for themselves in academics. I am certain that the universities of Gujarat will gain immensely from an event such as this.

Another area of focus of the 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Summit is Small and Medium Industries Sector. A few days back I was in Surat attending a gems and jewelry exhibition where I heard Government of India data that stated that growth of small industry in India stands at around 19% whereas in Gujarat the figure is 85%! The biennial Vibrant Gujarat Summits have contributed immensely in this. At the same time, this is a fitting answer to the handful anti-Gujarat elements that have time and again tried to cast misleading aspersions on the industrial development of Gujarat.

Through the Summit, we would also like to continue the focus on technology exchange, skill development and innovation so that our youngsters get the best of opportunities to fulfill their various dreams. We want each one of you to create your own path of growth and add to the prosperity of our state and our nation.

One of the most interesting facets of this year’s Summit is the Global Trade Show 2013. This is India’s biggest ever exhibition, spanning across over 1 lakh square meters and one that involves 1200 companies displaying over 25,000 products. A separate pavilion has been given to promote entrepreneurship among women. I strongly urge you all to visit the exhibition in the coming days.

I take this opportunity to welcome you all to Gujarat and assure you that you will not go back disappointed with the well-known Gujarati hospitality. I hope you will make maximum use of your time at the Summit- go visit the exhibitions, attend conferences and meet new people. I myself had a wonderful time meeting people through the various conferences, meets, discussions I have attended over the past few days.

This event coincides with the world famous Kite Flying festival and I invite you to be a part of this unique heritage of Gujarat and experience the colourful skies across the state!

A special thanks to the partner nations, Japan and Canada, our partner organizations and my deepest appreciation to the various departments of the Gujarat Government who have been working day and night to make this Summit a success.

Welcome to Vibrant Gujarat 2013!

Yours,

Narendra Modi

 

Keep yourself updated with the latest happenings at Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013! Come, be a part of this vibrant journey towards development

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Rann Utsav - A lifetime experience
December 21, 2024

The White Rann beckons!

An unforgettable experience awaits!

Come, immerse yourself in a unique mix of culture, history and breathtaking natural beauty!

On the westernmost edge of India lies Kutch, a mesmerising land with a vibrant heritage. Kutch is home to the iconic White Rann, a vast salt desert that gleams under the moonlight, offering an otherworldly experience. It is equally celebrated for its thriving arts and crafts.

And, most importantly, it is home to the most hospitable people, proud of their roots and eager to engage with the world.

Each year, the warm-hearted people of Kutch open their doors for the iconic Rann Utsav—a four-month-long vibrant celebration of the region’s uniqueness, breathtaking beauty and enduring spirit.

Through this post, I am extending my personal invitation to all of you, dynamic, hard-working professionals, and your families to visit Kutch and enjoy the Rann Utsav. This year’s Rann Utsav, which commenced on 1st December 2024, will go on till 28th February 2025, wherein the tent city at Rann Utsav will be open till March 2025.

I assure you all that Rann Utsav will be a lifetime experience.

The Tent City ensures a comfortable stay in the stunning backdrop of the White Rann. For those who want to relax, this is just the place to be.

And, for those who want to discover new facets of history and culture, there is much to do as well. In addition to the Rann Utsav activities, you can:

Connect with our ancient past with a visit to Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage site (linked to the Indus Valley Civilisation).

Connect with nature by visiting the Vijay Vilas Palace, Kala Dungar. The ‘Road to Heaven’, surrounded by white salt pans, is the most scenic road in India. It is about 30 kilometres long and connects Khavda to Dholavira.

Connect with our glorious culture by visiting Lakhpat Fort.

Connect with our spiritual roots by praying at the Mata No Madh Ashapura Temple.

Connect with our freedom struggle by paying tributes at the Shyamji Krishna Varma Memorial, Kranti Teerth.

And, most importantly, you can delve into the special world of Kutchi handicrafts, each product unique and indicative of the talents of the people of Kutch.

Some time ago, I had the opportunity to inaugurate Smriti Van, a memorial in remembrance of those whom we lost during the 26th of January 2001 earthquake. It is officially the world's most beautiful museum, winning the Prix Versailles 2024 World Title – Interiors at UNESCO! It is also India's only museum that has achieved this remarkable feat. It remains a reminder of how the human spirit can adapt, thrive, and rise even in the most challenging environments.

Then and now, a picture in contrast:

About twenty years ago, if you were to be invited to Kutch, you would think someone was joking with you. After all, despite being among the largest districts of India, Kutch was largely ignored and left to its fate. Kutch borders Registan (desert) on one side and Pakistan on the other.

Kutch witnessed a super cyclone in 1999 and a massive earthquake in 2001. The recurring problem of drought remained.
Everybody had written Kutch’s obituary.

But they underestimated the determination of the people of Kutch.

The people of Kutch showed what they were made of, and at the start of the 21st century, they began a turnaround that is unparalleled in history.

Together, we worked on the all-round development of Kutch. We focussed on creating infrastructure that was disaster resilient, and at the same time, we focussed on building livelihoods that ensured the youth of Kutch did not have to leave their homes in search of work.

By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the land known for perpetual droughts became known for agriculture. Fruits from Kutch, including mangoes, made their way to foreign markets. The farmers of Kutch mastered drip irrigation and other techniques that conserved every drop of water yet ensured maximum productivity.

The Gujarat Government’s thrust on industrial growth ensured investment in the district. We also leveraged Kutch’s coast to reignite the region’s importance as a maritime trade hub.

In 2005, Rann Utsav was born to tap into the previously unseen tourism potential of Kutch. It has grown into a vibrant tourism centre now. Rann Utsav has also received several domestic and international awards.

Dhordo, a village where every year Rann Utsav is celebrated, was named the 2023 Best Tourism Village by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The village was recognized for its cultural preservation, sustainable tourism, and rural development.

Therefore, I do hope to see you in Kutch very soon! Do share your experiences on social media as well, to inspire others to visit Kutch.

I also take this opportunity to wish you a happy 2025 and hope that the coming year brings with it success, prosperity and good health for you and your families!