By IANS
New Delhi : Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, basking in the glow of a landslide victory in state polls, Wednesday sought to showcase Gujarat as India’s number one state and offered to host the first People of Indian Origin (PIO) University in the state.
Modi, attired in a dapper suit, made a strong pitch for attracting investment from NRIs and exhorted them to make the most of the $100 billion Japan-funded industrial corridor that would cover a large part of Gujarat.
In a rare speech in English, Modi acted invoked the patriotic spirit of the NRIs, particularly expatriate Gujaratis, asking them to contribute to the state’s transformation so that it can compete with any developed country of the first world.
“Because of you the world knows what India is. I pay my homage to all the people, including those overseas, who have died for their country on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the 1857 freedom struggle,” Modi said to ringing applause from Gujarati NRIs at the sixth conclave of overseas Indians.
“Gujarat is the growth engine of India. The Planning Commission set a target for Gujarat to achieve 10.2 percent rate of growth. We have achieved 10.6 percent growth,” he said at the Vigyan Bhavan convention centre that was the two-day venue of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
“This time again, the Planning Commission has set a target of 11.2 percent growth rate for Gujarat – the highest for not only any state in the country for any Asian state. Gujarat will fulfil the expectations of the country,” he said to more applause from the audience.
Alluding to a dramatic economic transformation of the state he has ruled for over seven years, Modi, who has attended all six diaspora conclaves held so far, envisaged a major role for the India diaspora in development of infrastructure and social services in the state.
Recalling the suggestion made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for setting up a Peoples of Indian Origin (PIO) University, Modi said Gujarat was ready to be the first state to set up the university.
“Gujarat is ready to offer any assistance in this regard. If the PM wants, Gujarat can be the first state to set up the PIO university,” said Modi.
In his inaugural address at the conclave Tuesday, Manmohan Singh had said that the government had already approved a basic policy framework for the university, which could be established through public private partnership with participation of the Overseas Indian Trust.
Touting Gujarat’s achievements in the social sector, Modi said the state was confident of achieving human development index of developed countries and cited the state’s success in reducing the drop out rate in schools from 49 per cent to 3 per cent in just five years. “By 2010, when Gujarat celebrates its golden jubilee, we want to achieve zero per cent dropout rate,” he said.
Modi also announced that his government would launch ‘Nirmala Bala’ (Healthy Child) project next year to reduce the infant mortality rate, and sought the support of the NRIs to make this mission a success.
Modi was speaking at a session on “Developmental Challenges of the States: Partnership Opportunities.” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Bihar Industry Minister Gautam Singh also addressed the session.
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi chaired the session.
Modi also invited the Gujarati NRIs for a special conclave he has organised in Gujarat over the weekend.