With the aspiration of making Rajasthan a global hub of investment and development, the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led state government celebrated the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas in a grand ceremony attended by around 8,700 Non-Resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) from India and abroad.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the mega event at the sprawling Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in an impressive function. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Bhupender Yadav, C. R. Patil, and a host of political dignitaries and corporate leaders graced the inaugural session. Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar joined later.
The inaugural session also witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for projects worth ₹1 lakh crore, based on MoUs signed during the Rising Rajasthan Global Investors Summit held at the same venue in December last year. Chief Minister Sharma formally launched the ground-breaking ceremony from the stage using a remote control.
With this, ground-breaking ceremonies for projects worth ₹8 lakh crore, based on MoUs signed at the RR Summit, have been completed since December last year, he said.
Many visiting NRRs, including corporate magnates Anil Agarwal (Vedanta) and Praveer Sinha (Tata Power), assured further investments in the state. Several delegates expressed willingness to invest ₹1,000–2,000 crore in their native districts.
The Chief Minister also unveiled a commemorative coffee table book, Commitments in Action, during the function. A multifaceted exhibition on the state’s development journey, Pragati Ka Path, was inaugurated on the occasion.
As many as 13 new or revised investor-friendly policies were also released to facilitate investment and ensure ease of doing business.
Addressing the audience, Chief Minister Sharma invited NRRs to invest in the sectors of their choice and contribute to Rajasthan’s transformation. He said that all necessary infrastructure and essential facilities—along with a conducive business environment, raw material availability, mineral resources and robust support systems—have been strengthened to support industrial growth.
“You will find a transformed development landscape here. During the two-year tenure of the incumbent government, we have made significant progress in essential sectors, including water, power and energy generation, road, rail and air connectivity, education, and empowerment of women and other weaker sections,” Sharma said. He added that the government would facilitate investors in every possible way, having simplified various procedures through policy reforms.
Union Industries and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal endorsed the Chief Minister’s remarks and praised the state government for its resolute and innovative approach in accelerating the pace of development. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government fully support Rajasthan in realising its ambitious goals.
Goyal urged the nearly one crore-strong Rajasthan diaspora to contribute to their homeland’s development. “The collective potential of one crore people can create miracles,” he said.
Governor Bagade and Punjab Governor Kataria also praised the achievements of the Sharma-led BJP government and appealed to entrepreneurs to invest in Rajasthan.
Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal said that Rajasthan holds enormous potential to achieve high development goals. He noted that the state is richly endowed with minerals and natural resources, has a strategic geographic position and offers a conducive business environment. “We currently have three major initiatives here—Hindustan Zinc, Cairn Energy and Nand Ghar. Our group has contributed ₹3 lakh crore in revenue to the government so far,” he said.
Agarwal assured the state government of continued investment support and announced plans to set up an industrial park and a urea fertilizer plant in the state, which he said would be the largest in India. He also encouraged prospective investors to choose Rajasthan, saying, “I guarantee you that this state will be the best destination for your investment.”
The inaugural session was followed by seven sectoral discussions on Industry, Water, Energy, Health, Tourism, Mines and Education.
Governor Bagade and Chief Minister Sharma also felicitated nine NRRs—some in absentia—for their contributions to the state’s development. They included Anil Agarwal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Vinit Mittal, Ajay Piramal, Madhav Singhania, Punam Chand Rathi, Narsi Kularia, C. M. Mundra and Pradeep Ghisulal Rathore.