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ShareHarappan sites in Gujarat, dating back to over 5,000 years, bear testimony to the fact that when most people in the world were terrified of the sea, Gujarati sailors dared to harness the oceans with small sails.
They were armed with only a burning desire to trade with unknown lands. Once again, this state has dared to invite the world, through the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit -2009, to enable Gujaratis to do what they are good at -- business. It's in our DNA!
The fourth biennial summit has shifted many a paradigm in just 48 hours. Not only the rest of India, but the entire world needs to take note of the positive developments in Gujarat.
This is the first time that a Gujarati politician called Narendra Modi has dared to think global and expressed his commitment by making a public statement to that effect in the presence of business delegations from 40 countries and political representatives of 17 nations. The seeds for a global brand called, 'Gujarat', have been sown.
It is interesting that the chief minister has made it his business to personally take the responsibility of ensuring that MoUs translate into projects. His announcement about 'pro-active governance' was seconded by the ground reality. Babus dressed in business suits shunned the bureaucratic attitude and acted as facilitators, a task thatgovernments are charged with.
Modi's speech at the valedictory function was dignified and marked a shift from his tendency to use abrasive political rhetoric and bash the media.
A dash of sincere humility was perceptible when he appreciated the efforts of the government machinery.
The Gujarat chief minister has promised to create a global platform that will connect businesses from different countries -- a la Davos's World Economic Forum -- and turn Gujarat into a powerhouse that will help India become an economic superpower. Time will show if those aspirations are fulfilled.
But the figures that the summit has tossed up are impressive by themselves -- 8,500 investment intention MoUs, summing up to US $ 230 billion -- which is nearly one-fourth of India's GDP, and above all a potential of over 25 lakh jobs.
It is media's dharma to remind a politician when he deviates from his rajdharma and also to laud a sincere attempt, results apart. Modi has lifted himself into a different league.
The challenge now is to deliver tangible results, if he wants to do a 'Vibrant India' in future.
