The Banquet hall at the Leela Hotel in Gurgaon bore a celebratory look. Close to a thousand businessmen, investors, managers from twelve countries apart from India had congregated at the venue of the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit. I was still soaking in the vibrant atmosphere when I saw the Chief Secretary of Haryana State, Sh, Depinder Singh Dhesi, surveying the crowds with a sense of deep satisfaction. Proudly, and rightly so, he told me “we have had to refuse almost 800 registrations to the event.”
The synergy and cordiality between the best of the corporates, the Government, investors both current and prospective, seemed to be at a peak never witnessed before. There was visible excitement about Haryana amongst the industry fraternity as well as the international investors. Be it Y C Deveshwar, Sunil Mittal, Jamshyd Godrej, Gautam Adani and many others, each committed to participate in Haryana’s progress.
The Inaugural Session of the event was a star studded affair. With the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana, Sh Manohar Lal Khattar was seated the Union Finance Minister, Sh Arun Jaitley accompanied by Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Finance, Railways Minister, and Petroleum Minister; each one of them expressing their solidarity and support to Haryana, by their presence at the Summit.
However, what will remain etched in my memory is the openness with which the Chief Minister spoke about the recent unfortunate incidents in Haryana. Quoting extensively from the Scriptures he said he took his inspiration from Arjun who in pursuit of his Karma, had defeated his guru Dronacharya; in similar vein the Chief Minister too had kept his eye fixed on his Karma, in the face of adverse circumstances. He determinedly went ahead with the Summit, despite severe resistance from several quarters.
The Chief Minister is a dynamic man, with a vision and a determination, and one who lives his life by the scriptures. He is the Chief Minister that the “Sashvat” Haryana is proud of. Ever since he took office he has put the agenda of kick starting the economy in mission mode and the results are already visible. His will at the task, I am quite sure will succeed, given his very able team of Ministers, such as Capt Abhimanyu.
The Valedictory session was a befitting closure to a vibrant Summit in the gracious presence of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar along with Yoga Guru Sh Ramdev, a galaxy of Ministers and industry leaders. The results at the close of the two days’ event were evident. The 357 MoUs worth Rs 5.84 lakh crore signed in just two days are a testimony to the faith that the business community places in the Chief Minister’s vision and actions. The Minister of State for Road Transport, Sh Nitin Gadkari announced a slew of road projects that will change the face of Haryana forever.
What made me really proud of my Karma Bhoomi that day were the words of Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India who believes that Haryana is an example of the success of Japanese companies in India who wish to continue to strengthen this relationship. In this Statement, the Ambassador resonated the belief and trust that the 12 partnering nations had displayed in Haryana’s ability to offer wide ranging opportunities to their companies and the promise it holds for their people.
With a Chief Minister who has the vision and the drive to support a roadmap for growth, the State is sure to leap to the next curve of development. That the Chief Minister is a man of action way beyond words of commitment is visible in the immediate follow up action on the road projects announced. The quality of MoUs signed this time is visibly different from those that generally remain on paper or often hit a road block. In addition, a special department has been set up under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister to ensure that the MoUs actually get going.
What is also very unique to our Chief Minister is that he himself reaches out to the Industry and engages with us; in such a situation one can imagine the extent of efforts and action of his team of able Ministers such as Captain Abhimanyu and the efficient officers of the Government of Haryana. I can say with confidence that the differentiation of investing in Haryana is – the Govt. doesn’t see and evaluate you for what you are today; but what will be potentially, given the right enabler.
Haryana has been a crucible of growth and will continue to remain so. For those with a hunger to grow and make a difference, Happening Haryana is the place to be. It is a State on the path on to a Golden Era in its Golden Jubilee year.
The views expressed are personal.