Inaugurating the Make-in Odisha, Utkarsh Odiaha conclave-2025, Prime Minister admitted to his special love for the state which is rising and shining. He also heaped praise on chief minister Mohan Majhi. The future appears to be bright for the state’s new BJP government which is going from strength to strength.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Odisha 30 times since he took over reins of the country for the first time in 2014. In his third term he has made five visits to the state so far.
The Prime Minister himself admitted to his special love for Odisha while inaugurating the ‘Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025’ on January 28. The biennial business summit, which began in 2016 under the chief ministership of Naveen Patnaik, has been given its own touch by the maiden BJP government of the state.
The Prime Minister sought to assure the assembled industry leaders that the state’s industrialization process would accelerate further with a double-engine (BJP both in state and at the Centre) in power. He praised the efforts of Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government in the state for its efforts to take the state forward.
“I want to make eastern India the growth engine of the country. Odisha plays a key role in this”, said Modi while addressing industry leaders at the Janata Maidan here. He described Odisha as the perfect combination of heritage and development. The Prime Minister said this was the biggest business summit in Odisha till date with participation of investors in the meet this time being five to six times more than in the conclaves held in the past.
The conclave that concluded on January 29 drew investment proposals worth Rs.16.73 lakh crore. Chief minister Mohan Majhi said that as many 145 MOUs totalling investment worth Rs.12.89 lakh crore was signed during the biennial event which started in 2016 during the previous BJD government’s reign. Besides this investment intents worth Rs.3.84 lakh crore was received during the conclave which was attended by a battery of industrialists from India as well 16 other countries. “We have received proposals worth Rs.16.73 lakh crore for 593 projects in 20 sectors including chemicals, petrochemicals, mining, metallurgy, IT, tourism and food processing,” the chief minister said, adding that the projects would create job opportunities for 12.88 lakh people.
Speaking at the conclave Prime Minister Narendra Modi was categorical that “India cannot rely on fragmented and import-based supply chains. Instead, a robust supply and value chain must be built within India to minimise the impact of global uncertainties.” Stating that both the government and the industry are responsible for building a self-reliant economy, Modi said it was not an ideal situation that India’s resources are exported and imported back after value addition overseas.
The PM urged industry partners and the state government to work together to build a modern ecosystem aligned with Odisha’s aspirations and provide new opportunities for the youth. Creating more job opportunities will lead to prosperity and progress in the state, he added.
“This is an era of AI, and everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence. However, the Aspiration of India, not just AI, is the power of our country. Aspiration grows when the needs of the people are fulfilled. In the last decade, the country has witnessed the benefit of empowering crores of people. Odisha represents the same aspiration,” he added.
Describing Odisha as outstanding, symbolising the optimism and originality of a new India, Modi said its people have always shown a passion for outperforming others. Sharing his personal experience of witnessing the skill, hard work and honesty of people from Odisha in Gujarat, the PM expressed confidence that with new opportunities emerging in Odisha, the state will soon reach unprecedented heights of development. The people of the state have taken a pledge to build a prosperous Odisha and the central government is providing all possible cooperation to fulfill this resolution, he added.
“I firmly believe that Odisha will soon reach the pinnacle of development that no one could have ever imagined. I am delighted to see that Chief Minister Majhi’s team is working tirelessly to accelerate the state’s development,” the PM said.
PM Modi said Odisha is becoming one of India’s leading states in various industries, including food processing, petrochemicals, port-led development, fisheries, IT, edutech, textiles, tourism, mining, and green energy. “Yehi samay hai, sahi samay hai (this is the right time),” said the Prime Minister, urging business leaders to invest in Odisha with the assurance of ‘Modi Ki Guarantee.’
“The government is working to build a vibrant ecosystem for research and a special fund has also been generated for the same. Industries should come forward and work with the government,” he said. Noting the state’s long coast, Modi said the old ports here are being developed and new ones are being built. The PM said the state has immense tourism potential. “Today, the focus is wed in India, heal in India. The natural beauty of this place is conducive for this,” he said.
Modi also inaugurated the ‘Make in Odisha’ exhibition, showcasing the state’s achievements in developing an industrial ecosystem. The conclave will serve as a platform for industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to converge and discuss the opportunities Odisha offers as an investment destination, the statement said.
While chief minister Mohan Majhi highlighted the opportunities, the state offers to investors, top industry leaders like Anil Agarwal, Sajjan Jindal, Naveen Jindal, Subhrakant Panda, Karan Adani listened with rapt attention.
Organising the conclave was a big challenge for Majhi government, especially because the arrangements were bound to be compared with the show put up by the Naveen Patnaik-led government in the past. But Majhi passed the test with flying colours and also earned the praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who seems to be besotted with Odia culture and tradition.
He recalled how the Konark Wheel was displayed during the G20 summit. He also talked about the state’s tourism potential. “There is a lot of potential for conference tourism in the country. In Bhubaneswar, there are a lot of good convention centres. There is a lot of potential for the growth of the concert economy as well. In the last 10 years, the demand for live concerts has gone up,” he said.
“India is on a path of development driven by the aspirations of crores of people”, remarked Modi and emphasized that AI stands for both Artificial Intelligence and Aspiration of India, which is the country’s strength. The Prime Minister asked the business tycoons of the country to work in the direction of self-reliance and resilience against global economic disruptions. “Our raw materials are exported and then get processed somewhere with value addition there. A new product is made there and returned to our country. I cannot accept it. This ecosystem needs to change,” said the Prime Minister.
Modi said tourism can get a boost with massive job creation through concerts which is a booming business. “I urge all to focus on necessary skills, event management, grooming of artists, security and other aspects. In Odisha, there is a lot of scope in this aspect. The state has a major role in Viksit Bharat and the people have taken a pledge for Samruddha Odisha. The Centre is extending all possible help to Odisha,” PM Modi added.
On his part chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said his government was focusing on ease of doing business with single window clearance, doing away with unnecessary and avoidable documentation. He remains determined to take Odisha forward and enjoys the blessings of the Prime Minister in this endeavour.