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January 19, 2013 | 13:15 IST
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"The SME convention at the sixth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit highlighted the SME sector’s role as a key driver of employment and innovation."
"Record Number of ‘Investment Intentions’ were signed by SMEs at the 6th VGGS"
"We are getting products from all over the world. We have to compete with those products. According to me the solution, is to provide better and cheaper products. Shri Modi at the SME convention held during the 6th VGGS"
"I want to incorporate new technology, make new innovations in the SME sector and ensure a skilled work force for the SME sector: Shri Modi"
"We want an economy with mass production and production by masses. The SME sector can help in generating substantial employment for the youth: Shri Modi"
"It is difficult for Individual businesses to make their place in the world. We need to come together and build a credible brand on the lines of ‘Made in Japan’ brand: Shri Modi"
"The Gujarat Government’s consistent efforts have borne fruit and Gujarat’s SME sector has grown at an astounding pace. While the growth rate for SMEs in India is only 19%, the rate of growth for the SME sector in Gujarat is 85%."
Gujarat has been a leading light when it comes to big-ticket investments; as was evident from the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. However, the highlight, of the sixth edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), was the tremendous enthusiasm and large-scale participation by SMEs. Out of 17719 investment intentions signed during the summit, 12886 investment intentions came from the SME sector.
Gujarat, with its strong tradition of business and entrepreneurship, abundant natural resources, sound and efficient infrastructure facilities and a supportive Government has a thriving SME sector. Fifteen percent of the total operational MSMEs in the country are from Gujarat. Additionally, the MSME sector accounted for 28 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product in 2011. There are over 3.9 lakh registered and almost 26 lakh unregistered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Gujarat.
Understanding the importance of the SME sector, the Govt. of Gujarat has provided encouragement and support to ensure its rapid development. At the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Shri Modi underlined his support for Industrial Development by saying, “It is our job to ensure [Industry’s] progress and reduce [Industry’s] difficulties.”
On January 12th 2013, as a part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Shri Modi addressed an impressive SME convention at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The convention highlighted the SME sector’s role as a key driver of employment and innovation.
In his speech, the Chief Minister explained his vision for the development of the SME sector and encouraged Indian businesses to compete in the Global Market. “We are getting products from all over the world. We have to compete with those products. According to me the solution, is to provide better and cheaper products. We must provide goods, which are reliable, which last. We should not have a defensive mindset, instead we should dream about selling products to the world”
Shri Modi expressed confidence in Brand Gujarat’s ability to cement its place in the Manufacturing World and highlighted the importance of small industries and the Government working together to ensure trustworthy products. Giving Japan’s example, the Chief Minister invited SMEs of the state to unite in building a Strong brand, on the lines of the ‘Made in Japan’ brand. He said, “It is difficult for Individual businesses to make their place in the world. We need to come together and build a credible brand on the lines of ‘Made in Japan’ brand.”
He further went on to say, “Earlier, when people bought a product which said ‘Made in Japan’ they would not care who the manufacturer was.” This vision given by the Chief Minister was widely hailed and covered across mainstream and social media.
Shri Modi, spoke about the importance of SMEs incorporating new technologies. He also highlighted the importance of securing Intellectual Property Rights for SMEs and the need for ensuring wider dissemination of path-breaking technologies developed by Indian SMEs. Further, Shri Modi highlighted the significance of SMEs as generators of employment. He declared, “We want an economy with mass production and production by masses. The SME sector can help in generating substantial employment for the youth.”
Additionally, Shri Modi drew attention to the government’s initiatives to support and assist SMEs. He spoke about the government’s focus on the cluster development approach, proposed establishment of ITI courses tailored to industry needs and setting up of a new unit to assist industries with patenting laws. Shri Modi also mentioned the government’s efforts to increase transparency in governance and the positive effect this had had on Industrial growth.
In his concluding remarks, Shri Modi outlined his vision for the development of the SME sector. He said, “I want to incorporate new technology and make new innovations in the SME sector and ensure a skilled work-force for the SME sector.”
The Government of Gujarat has undertaken consistent efforts to promote and foster the development of SMEs. The Government of Gujarat had laid out robust provisions in its Industry Policy (2009), to aid and assist the growth and expansion, of the MSME sector. Provisions include an Interest subsidies scheme, efforts to rehabilitate underperforming industrial units through financial assistance, monetary assistance to large industries to support the establishment of ancillary and auxiliary units and the establishment of a Technology Acquisition Fundto provide financial assistance to MSMEs,
Understanding the importance of the ‘Cluster Development Method’ to advance MSMEs, the Government included special provisions in the Industrial Policy to provide financial assistance for the development of such clusters. The state has 83 product clusters spread across 88 locations in the state. The Industrial Policy also emphasises interventions such as capacity building of cluster enterprises, technology up-gradation initiatives, quality improvement and training/skill up-gradation initiatives, creation of cluster-specific common infrastructure and facilities, creation of an incubation centre, establishment of ITI extension centres and other need-based facilities.
The Government’s vision is every indication that the SME sector is set to witness incredible growth in the years to come. The Gujarat Government’s Textile Policy (2012) is expected to bolster Small and Medium enterprises in the Textile sector. Similarly, sector specific Industrial Estates and Industrial Regions, including the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Industrial Region (PCPIR) are expected to provide a boost to the SME sector. Additionally, to support the booming Automobile sector, the Government intends to set up Electronic System Design and Manufacturing clusters accross the state.
The Government’s efforts have borne fruit and Gujarat’s SME sector has grown at an astounding pace. According to data announced by Govt. of India Officials,while the growth rate for small industries in India is only 19%, the rate of growth for the SME sector in Gujarat is 85%.
India's Digital Public Infrastructure has today become a subject of global discussion: PM Modi at the Rising Bharat Summit
February 27, 2026
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Developed nations are eager to sign trade deals with India because a confident India is rising beyond doubt and despair: PM
In the last 11 years, a new energy has flowed into the nation's consciousness, India is determined to regain its rightful strength: PM
India's Digital Public Infrastructure has today become a subject of global discussion: PM
Today, every move India makes is closely watched and analysed across the world, the AI Summit is a clear example of this: PM
Nation-building never happens through short-term thinking; It is shaped by a long-term vision, patience and timely decisions: PM
The air of Israel has reached here too.
Namaskar!
All journalists of Network 18, all colleagues overseeing this arrangement, all distinguished guests present here, ladies and gentlemen!
You are all discussing Rising India. And in this, your emphasis is on strength within-in simple words, your focus is on the nation’s own inherent capability. In our scriptures it is said: Tat Tvam Asi!-that which we seek in the Brahman is within us, it is us ourselves. The strength lies within us, and we must recognize it. In the past 11 years, India has recognized that very strength, and today the nation is continuously striving to empower it.
Friends,
Strength in a nation does not suddenly emerge; it is built over generations. It is refined through knowledge, tradition, hard work, and experience. But during a long period of history, through centuries of slavery, the very spirit of being strong was filled with inferiority. Imported ideologies instilled deeply into society the belief that we were uneducated and mere followers. Our scriptures say: Yādṛśī bhāvanā yasya, siddhir bhavati tādṛśī-as is one’s belief, so is the accomplishment. When the belief itself was inferior, the accomplishment was also inferior. We copied foreign technologies, waited for foreign approval-this was slavery not just political or geographical, but mental. Unfortunately, even after independence, India could not free itself from this mentality of slavery. And we are still paying the price for it. A fresh example can be seen in the discussions around trade deals. Some people are surprised-how did this happen, why are developed nations so eager to make trade deals with India? The answer lies in a confident India, emerging out of despair and hopelessness. If the country were still stuck in the pre-2014 gloom, counted among the “Fragile Five,” trapped in policy paralysis-who would have made trade deals with us, who would have even looked at us?
But friends,
In the past 11 years, new energy has flowed into the nation’s consciousness. India is now striving to regain its lost strength. Once upon a time, when India had the greatest dominance in the global economy, what was our strength? India’s manufacturing, the quality of Indian products, India’s economic policies. Today’s India is once again focusing on these aspects. That is why we worked on manufacturing, emphasized Make in India, strengthened our banking system, controlled inflation that was running in double digits, and made India the growth engine of the world. It is this strength of India that has developed nations themselves coming forward to make trade deals with us.
Friends,
When the hidden power of a nation awakens, it achieves new milestones. Let me give you some more examples. Whenever I meet heads of government from other countries, they are eager to hear about the immense power of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile. In a country where ATMs arrived much later compared to developed nations, how did India achieve global leadership in digital payments? Where leakage in government aid was accepted as bitter truth, how did India, through DBT, transfer 24 lakh crore rupees-twenty-four trillion rupees-to beneficiaries? India’s digital public infrastructure has today become a subject of global discussion.
Friends,
The world is astonished-how India where until 2014 nearly 30 million families lived in darkness, became one of the top countries in solar power capacity? How did India whose cities had no hope of improved public transport, become the third-largest metro network country in the world? How did India whose railways were known only for delays and slow speed achieve semi-high-speed connectivity with Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat?
Friends,
There was a time when India was only a consumer of new technology. Today, India is also a creator of new technology and is setting new standards. And this has happened because we recognized our own strength-the very strength within you are discussing is an example of this.
Friends,
When we move forward with pride, the way the world looks at us also changes. Remember, just a few years ago, how little global media discussed India’s events. Events in India were not given much importance. And today, see how every action of India is analyzed globally. The AI Summit is an example-it was held right here in this building. More than 100 countries participated. Whether Global North or Global South, all sat together at one table. From large corporations to small startups, all gathered together.
Friends,
In all the industrial revolutions so far, India and the entire Global South were only followers. But in this era of Artificial Intelligence, India is not only a participant in decisions but is also shaping them. Today we have our own AI startup ecosystem, the strength to invest in data centers, and we are working rapidly on the power most needed to store and process AI data. The reforms we have made in the nuclear power sector will also help strengthen India’s AI ecosystem.
Friends,
The organization of the AI Summit was a moment of pride for the whole of India. But unfortunately, the country’s oldest party tried to tarnish this celebration. In front of foreign guests, Congress did not just strip off clothes, but also exposed its ideological bankruptcy. When failure breeds despair and arrogance takes over, such thinking emerges that seeks to defame the nation. Clearly, Congress’s actions have angered the country. To justify its sin, they brought Mahatma Gandhi forward. Congress always does this-when it wants to hide its sins, it puts Bapu forward; when it wants to glorify itself, it gives all credit to one family.
Friends,
Congress has now reduced itself to a mere toolkit of opposition in the name of ideology. This mentality of blind opposition has grown so much that they do not miss any chance to belittle the nation on every stage, every platform. Whatever good happens for the country, whatever auspicious occurs, Congress only knows how to oppose.
Friends,
I have a long list-the new Parliament building was constructed, they opposed it. The lions of the Ashoka pillar atop Parliament-they opposed it. Those whose lions once ran away after eating ordinary citizens’ shoes, were frightened by the teeth of the Parliament’s lions. The Kartavya Path was built, they opposed it. The armed forces carried out surgical strikes, they opposed it. The Balakot air strike happened, they opposed it. Operation Sindoor was conducted, they opposed it. In short, for every achievement of the nation, Congress’s toolkit produces only one thing-opposition.
Friends,
The nation brought down the wall of Article 370, the country rejoiced. But Congress opposed it. We enacted the CAA law-they opposed it. We introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill-they opposed it. We brought a law against triple talaq-they opposed it. We launched UPI-they opposed it. We initiated the Swachh Bharat Mission-they opposed it. The country developed its own COVID vaccine, and even that they opposed.
Friends,
In a democracy, opposition does not mean blind resistance. In democracy, opposition means presenting an alternative vision. That is why the enlightened citizens of the country have been teaching Congress a lesson-not just today, but continuously for the past four decades. What I am about to say, I urge my media colleagues to analyze as well. You will see that Congress’s votes are not being stolen; rather, the people of the country no longer consider Congress worthy of their vote. And this decline began after 1984. In 1984, Congress received 39 percent of the vote and more than 400 seats. In subsequent elections, Congress’s vote share kept declining. And today, Congress’s condition is such that only four states remain where Congress has more than 50 legislators. Over the past 40 years, the number of young voters has increased, and Congress has steadily disappeared. Congress has become a club of people enslaved to one family. That is why first the millennials taught Congress a lesson, and now Gen Z is also ready.
Friends,
Congress and its allies have such a narrow mindset that they have even made long-term vision a crime. Today, when we talk about a developed India by 2047, some people ask-“Why talk about something so far ahead now?” Some even say, “Modi won’t be alive till then.” The truth is that nation-building never happens through short-term thinking. It happens through a grand vision, patience, and timely decisions. Let me present some facts before Network 18’s viewers. Every year, India spends more than 6 lakh crore rupees on freight through foreign ships. On fertilizer imports, we spend 2.25 lakh crore rupees annually. On petroleum imports, we spend 11 lakh crore rupees annually. That means, every year, trillions of rupees are flowing out of the country. If this investment had been directed towards self-reliance 20–25 years ago, today this capital would have been strengthening India’s infrastructure, research, industry, farmers, and youth. Today, our government is working with this very vision. To avoid paying 6 lakh crore rupees to foreign ships, Indian shipping and port infrastructure is being strengthened. To increase domestic fertilizer production, new plants are being set up, and nano-urea is being promoted. To reduce dependence on petroleum, ethanol blending, the Green Hydrogen Mission, solar energy, and electric mobility are being prioritized.
And friends,
We must take decisions today while keeping the future in mind. That is why India is building a semiconductor ecosystem. In defense production, mobile manufacturing, drone technology, the critical minerals sector, and investments therein-we are laying the foundation for economic security in the coming decades. The 2047 goal is not a political slogan. It is also a resolve to correct the historical mistakes where Congress governments failed to invest in time. Today, if we build indigenous ships, produce our own energy, and develop new technologies ourselves, then future generations will not discuss the burden of imports, but the capacity for exports. The progress of a nation is determined not by “today’s convenience” but by “tomorrow’s preparation.” And the hard work done with foresight is the foundation of a self-reliant, strong, and prosperous India in 2047. And no matter how many clothes Congress tears in protest, we will continue to work tirelessly.
Friends,
One very important condition of nation-building is sincerity of intent. Congress and its allies have failed even here. They have never worked with sincerity. They have no concern for the suffering of the poor. For example, in Bengal, the Ayushman Bharat scheme has still not been implemented. If there were sincerity, would they have blocked a scheme that provides free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees for the poor? No. You also know that under the PM Awas Yojana, permanent houses are being built for the poor. Let me give another figure to Network 18’s viewers. In Tamil Nadu, about 9.5 lakh permanent houses have been allocated for poor families-9.5 lakh. But construction of 3 lakh of these houses has stalled. Why? Because the DMK government is not showing interest in building these homes for the poor. And the reason is clear-their intent is not sincere.
Friends,
Let me also give you an example from the agriculture sector. During Congress’s time, farming was left to its fate. Small farmers were ignored, crop insurance was in shambles, the Swaminathan Committee’s report on MSP was buried in files. Congress made announcements in the budget, but nothing happened on the ground-because they lacked sincerity. We began working sincerely for the farmers of the country, and today the world is witnessing the results. Today, India is becoming one of the major agricultural exporters in the world. We have created a safety net for farmers at every level. Through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, more than 4 lakh crore rupees have been deposited directly into farmers’ accounts. We set MSP at 1.5 times the cost and made record purchases. Let me give you just one figure-pulses. The UPA government, in 10 years, purchased only 6 lakh metric tons of pulses at MSP-6 lakh metric tons. Our government has already purchased about 170 lakh metric tons of pulses at MSP-nearly 30 times more. Now you decide who truly works for the farmers.
Friends,
The UPA government was also stingy in providing help to farmers through the Kisan Credit Card. In its 10 years, the UPA government gave 7 lakh crore rupees in agricultural loans-7 lakh crore rupees. Whereas our government has given four times more-28 lakh crore rupees. During UPA’s time, only 5 crore farmers benefited from this. Today, the number has more than doubled, reaching nearly 12 crore farmers. That means, for the first time, even small farmers have received help. Our government has also given farmers the protective shield of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Under this, about 2 lakh crore rupees have already been provided to farmers in times of crisis. Because we are working with sincerity, the confidence of India’s farmers is rising, their productivity is increasing, and their incomes are growing.
Friends,
A quarter of the 21st century has already passed. The next phase is the decisive period of India’s development. The decisions taken today will determine the direction of the future. We must move forward by recognizing and enhancing our strength. Every individual must aim for excellence in their field, every institution must make excellence its culture. We should not just produce products, but produce best-quality products. We should not just do routine work, but world-class work. We must convert capability into performance. As I said from the Red Fort-this is the time, the right time. This is the time to take India to new heights. Once again, my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all of you. Namaskar.
