Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh is on a major economic growth trajectory. Conducive atmosphere for industries and trade prevails there. Referring to projections of international organisations, he said that India's economic growth rate will soon surpass that of China. Madhya Pradesh will play an important role in this.
Chouhan was addressing the Friends of MP Conclave in New York last night. The Chief Minister also launched a website, friendsofmp.com ,at the conclave at Avery Fisher Hall in lincoln Center of New York. Industries Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia, over 3,000 NRIs and other distinguished citizens were present on the occasion. The conclave has been organised in pursuance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to States to create global talent pools. Madhya Pradesh is the first State in the country to take this initiative.
During his half-hour speech, the Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh's growth rate is 11.08 percent. The State's agriculture growth rate has been 20 per cent or above for many years. Chouhan said that self-confidence of Indians and NRIs has increased manifold since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in May 2014. The country has come out of policy paralysis which had become hallmark of the previous Government. Modi is emerging as not only the leader of India, but also as a world leader. On his suggestion, the United Nations Organisation has declared June 21 as International Yoga Day.
Chouhan informed that Madhya Pradesh is pioneer in availing the benefits of new policy initiatives of the Central government. For this, the State Government has framed a number of new policies, several existing policies have been amended and there is ease of doing business. Referring to the advantages of Madhya Pradesh for investment, the Chief Minister said that the State has good law and order situation, communal harmony, industrial peace and investment-friendly policies.
A land bank of 26,000 hectares has been developed for establishment of industries in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister said that he has implemented the single-door policy instead of single-window for the convenience of industrialists and investors. The Chief Minister invited the NRIs and others to Simhastha to be held at Ujjain next year. Stating about Simhastha's religious and spiritual importance, Chouhan informed that scholars and thinkers across the world have been invited to Simhastha to deliberate on global problems and challenges. A message for world will be released from Ujjain on the basis of conclusions of these discussions. The Chief Minister invited all to also visit Madhya Pradesh's religious and tourism destinations.
Industries Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia urged the NRIs to become partners in India's development through investment in Madhya Pradesh. The Industries Minister said that under the leadership of Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh has scaled new heights by implementing novel schemes in various sectors including agriculture, women and child development, education etc. He has now moved towards industrialization and infrastructure. Scindia urged the NRIs to become partners in development of the State through participation in the 'Make in Madhya Pradesh' campaign. Scindia also shared the experiences of her years in the US. The Industries Minister also informed about the efforts of the Chief Minister for nursing Madhya Pradesh into a pioneer State in the country from a sick State.
The Chief Minster was accorded a rousing welcome amidst beating of drums and cheers by the NRIs. They were also displaying the national flag. The Chief Minister's address was interspersed by thunder of applause and slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' The Chief Minister felicitated the NRIs for special achievements in various fields. He also referred respectfully to the Indians who have become part of the American society. He made special mention of Nobel laureate Dr Hargobind Khurana and astronaut late Kalpana Chawla. Other prominent American Indians include Indra Nui (Pepsicola), Satya Nadela (Microsoft), Vivek Murthy (US Surgeon General), Nina Davuluri (last year's Miss America) etc. He also made special mention of Tulsi Gabbard, member of US Congress who had taken oath in the name of Gita.
NRI Pankaj Nayak attending the conclave belongs to Ujjain. He said that he liked the speech of the Chief Minister in which he has stressed on economic development and investment side by side important things about culture. “I loved the entire speech,” he added. Another participant, 39 years old software engineer Manish Dube was quite impressed by reference in Chief Minister's speech about protection of girls and women's rights. He also expressed happiness over 50 per cent reservation to women in local bodies. Manish Dube belongs to Seoni. IT professionals lalji Goswami and Pramod Bhagat lauded the initiatives taken in Madhya Pradesh during the last few years.