New York – Following in the footsteps of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Indian diaspora and the business community here to urge them to invest in “Make in Madhya Pradesh” initiative on the lines of “Make in India” floated by Modi earlier.
Chouhan wrapped up his five-day tour of the US, after hosting two major events in New York. First at a conclave at the Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center and then at a US-India Business Council (USIBC) luncheon roundtable in the Marriott East Side Hotel, he addressed hundreds of Indian-Americans, key American lawmakers and American business owners. Madhya Pradesh industry minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia, along with an army of bureaucrats and government officials were at hand to support the efforts.
Chouhan, who has been Madhya Pradesh chief minister since 2006, spoke in Hindi – like Modi – at every event with an English translation for the audience. In addition to investment opportunities, he also showcased Madhya Pradesh as a major wild life tourism destination.
Extending an open invitation to the American business community he said, “I welcome you all with open arms. Use your talent and capability towards the progress of the country and your state. I am not just the chief minister but the CEO of the state and I assure you that you will not be disappointed.”
Joined by three US Congresswomen, Nita Lowey, Caroline Maloney and Yvette Clarke as well as India’s Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Chouhan launched the initiative which he defined as a talent pool of individuals of Indian origin as well as of other nationalities.
Chouhan said his visit was inspired by Modi’s vision of each Indian state having its own global talent pool and praised Modi saying, “India is changing. After a long time, there is a Prime Minister on which India has trust and faith. A new self-confidence and enthusiasm has engulfed the nation ever since Modi became the Prime Minister.”
USIBC acting President Diane Farrell addressing the audience at the Marriott event highlighted “change of attitude” in India giving Prime Minister Modi credit for the change. Mohammad Suleman, Principal Secretary of Madhya Pradesh called his state, “The Heart of India” adding long statistical list of achievements at the USIBC event.