With the assertion that India is all set to become the third largest economy of the world during his third tenure at helm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Investors Summit-2023 at Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun on Friday. Congratulating the Uttarakhand government for the success of the rescue mission in Silkyara, Uttarkashi, the PM said that one gets a feeling of divinity and development in Uttarakhand. Terming Uttarakhand as the best example of the growth story of India, the PM said that the effect of the double engine government is clearly on display in the State. He said that both Union and State governments have put in tremendous effort in increasing connectivity in the State. Modi said that with completion of the Delhi-Dehradun expressway the distance between the two cities will be covered in only two and half hours. He added that the work on Rishikesh- Karnprayag rail project, Char Dham project and others are going on and the State government is also increasing helicopter services in the State. Modi said that Uttarakhand presents a golden opportunity for investors with the kind of connectivity and environment the State offers. In a veiled attack on the Congress party, the PM said that the approach of earlier governments was to keep the border areas away from development but this approach has now been changed. He said that the government is focussing on theme based tourism and added that Uttarakhand is all set to emerge as a strong brand in the tourism sector.
Remembering his comment made during his Kedarnath visit, the PM said that the words that the third decade of the century will belong to Uttarakhand had emanated from his mouth. He expressed satisfaction that his words are being realised on ground.
Modi said that just like the businessmen his government also does its SWOT analysis. The analysis shows that there is an increase in aspiration, hope, confidence and innovation in the country. Referring to the results of recent assembly elections, the PM said that aspirational India seeks a stable government and the people are voting for good governance and track record of the government.
The PM congratulated the State government for launching the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand. He said that the new brand strengthens the concept of ‘vocal for local’ and ‘local for global’. He said that the government has taken a target to make two crore Lakhpati Didis and concepts such as the House of Himalayas are a step forward in fulfilling the target of empowering women.
Welcoming the participants, the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the objective of the summit is to take the State forward on the path of development by striking a balance between ecology and economy. He said that when Modi was CM of Gujarat, he started the Vibrant Gujarat conclave which has now become a model for others and taking inspiration from it the Uttarakhand government is organising the investors summit. He declared that the summit will be organised every two years. The CM said that grounding of projects worth Rs 44,000 crore has been done in the inaugural session of the summit. Exhorting the investors to invest in Uttarakhand, the CM said the State has a good investment ecosystem, excellent law and order, investment friendly policies and good climate. He said that a mega convention centre will be constructed in the State. The CM said that the State government has appointed Nivesh Mitras who will be the single point of contact with the entrepreneurs wishing to invest Rs five crore and more in the State.
The governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh, former chief ministers, ministers, MPs, MLAs and others attended the inaugural session of the summit.
