Narendra Modi exhorts Gujarati entrepreneurs to buy diamond mines abroad, create global brands
Even as Gujarat’s diamond and gems industry holds a place of pride in the world, Chief Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted Gujarati entrepreneurs to buy diamond mines abroad and create global brands. If Gujaratis decide, they could change the world, he said.
Presenting the awards to successful entrepreneurs at a function in Surat under the aegis of Gujarat Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), he regretted that the domestic diamond industry has to depend on foreign countries still for the raw materials. It would be in fitness of things for the Gujarati entrepreneurs to combine their traditional skill with modern techniques, and own the diamond mines to establish their dominance. He recalled how Gujarati entrepreneurs were buying coalfields abroad.
The Chief Minister stressed on the need to start appropriate courses to enhance the skills of diamond cutters and polishers, as per the needs of the industry. The Gujarat Government proposed to start a number of skill development courses, as part of Swami Vivekanand’s 150th anniversary in January 2011 being observed as Yuvashakti Varsh. However, he said, this called for the Central Government change its attitude and reform its policies to encourage entrepreneurship in this specific field. He wondered as to why the Centre created obstacle to start flight from Surat.
To take things to higher level and value-addition, Mr. Modi said that Gujarat diamond and Morbi’s clock industries are known to be the State’s two success stories. The two can well combine to design and develop diamond watches. Any industry needs new things any moment. He also suggested documenting India’s diamond and jewelry industry’s growth story.
