I had been reading and hearing about unprecedented enthusiasm among Indians living in other countries since the formation of the new Government in India. I practically experienced it during my recent US visit. Over 3,000 Indian-Americans and others attended the Friends of MP Conclave organised in New York with great zeal defying bone-chilling cold. Some American Senators and Congressmen also participated in it.
At the Conclave and in other programmes during my five-day visit, I realized that the people of Indian origin are playing a vital role in the progress of superpower America. More importantly, they are maintaining very cordial and intimate relation with the locals and the people of other countries living in the US. They have no problem with anyone and no one has any problem with them. And why should not it be so!
After all they belong to the soil that declared millennia ago that entire world is a family. The Indic philosophy prays for the well-being of every living being. I was overwhelmed to see that the Indians living in the US and their children are rooted in Indian culture and value system. In fact, they represent the unique blend of modern civilization and ancient culture; and material progress and spiritual sublimity in the true sense.
During the course of my visit I met industrialists, businessmen, investors, politicians, academics and other professionals. During the discussions with them all one thing that I clearly noted is that they are very impressed by the policies and initiatives of the new Government in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They are very keen on being active partners in his Make in India campaign. This would greatly benefit Indian States, too.
A very important thing that came to fore during my US visit is that now Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a global brand to be reckoned with. The visit was not confined to mere making presentations and holding discussions with potential investors. We have come back with fixed dates for MoUs and other procedures vis-à-vis executing the investment proposals.
Madhya Pradesh is the first State in the country to take the initiative of creating a global talent pool on Prime Minister's suggestion to States for this. I also launched www.friendsofMP.com web portal at New York as part of the measures to create a global talent pool of People of Indian Origin (PIOs) and other well-wishers of Madhya Pradesh to invite and facilitate their cooperation in development of the State. Initially we have offered them to partner with Madhya Pradesh in various sectors including education, health, medical service, infrastructure development, tourism by way of investment, ideas, suggestions or in any other manner.
A large number of people showed interest in becoming friends of Madhya Pradesh. Within a week many friends of MP have been registered. Dr. Anil Sharma from America committed one million US dollars for improvement of MGM College and Hospital, Indore. Others are also willing to follow suit. We have received very good investment proposals during the US visit. I have set up a special cell for this.
At the Conclave and other functions I extended open invitation to all those present to visit Ujjain during the Simhastha-2016, the largest religious-spiritual congregation in the world. I informed them that eminent thinkers and scholars from various parts of the world have been invited to brainstorm on the global problems and challenges and higher human values. An Ujjain Declaration would be issued based on these deliberations at the global level. I am fully confident that my US visit would open up new vistas of development in Madhya Pradesh.
(Writer is Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh)