This Article is From Aug 22, 2014

A Delhi Debut For Vibrant Gujarat. And For Modi's Successor Anandiben Patel

A Delhi Debut For Vibrant Gujarat. And For Modi's Successor Anandiben Patel

File Photo of PM Narendra Modi with Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel (AFP)

New Delhi: Narendra Modi is now in Delhi and his pet event - Vibrant Gujarat - is coming to town too. At least a curtain raiser is.

As Gujarat chief minister Mr Modi used the biennial event, his brainchild, to display his marketing savvy and drive investment in his state.

Now that he is Prime Minister, his successor in Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, will preside over the event. She will showcase the latest edition in Delhi on August 27, in her first interaction with the press in Delhi since she became chief minister in May.

Vibrant Gujarat 2015 will be held from January 11 to 13 next in Gandhinagar. Pegged as the "global business hub" the event has drawn leading industrialists in the six editions held so far.

At the last event in January 2013, days after Mr Modi won a third straight term as chief minister in state elections in Gujarat, captains of industry lined up on stage to pledge thousands of crores in investment for Gujarat and praise Mr Modi and his business-friendliness. (Narendra Modi basks in rock star reception at 'Vibrant Gujarat' summit)

India's richest man Mukesh Ambani,  chairman of Reliance Industries, had said then, "In Narendra Bhai, we have a leader with a grand vision".  His brother, Anil, had called Mr Modi  "a king among kings". (Narendra Modi a 'king among kings', says Anil Ambani at Vibrant Gujarat summit)

Those comments and others now find pride of place on the Vibrant Gujarat website, which declares that preparations are on in full swing for the next event. (India Inc. promises Narendra Modi much investment, as always, at Vibrant Gujarat meet)

In a message posted on the website, the Prime Minister has said, "This is a matter of personal satisfaction as I have seen the evolution of this platform since its inception. It has transformed itself from an investment promotion exercise into a growth propelling event."

He has also assured "the investor community in general and participants in particular that along with the government of Gujarat, the Government of India is also committed to ensuring environment for innovation and enterprise."

When Mr Modi was named the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister for this year's national elections, India Inc cheered. In the emphatic victory that he powered his party to in the elections, his investor focus played an important role.

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