Industry leaders all praise for Narendra Modi

Gandhinagar, Jan 12 (PTI) Apart from showering megainvestments on Gujarat, captains of Indian industry, includingRatan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, today heaped praises on ChiefMinister Narendra Modi and described him as a great visionary.

At a time when the Congress-led UPA government at theCentre is struggling to keep basic needs of ''aam aadmi''affordable, Modi got full marks from corporate leaders forworking towards uplifting the quality of life of the commonman.

"Gujarat is shining like a lamp of gold and the creditgoes to the visionary, effective and passionate leadershipprovided by Narendra Modi. We have a leader here with visionand determination to translate this vision into reality,"Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director MukeshAmbani said.

Speaking at the fifth global summit of ''Vibrant Gujarat''here, Ambani said Modi''s efforts for growth and development inthe state has been responsible for alleviating poverty.

"Given Gujarat''s commitment towards the quality of lifeand prosperity of the people, I have no doubt that Gujaratwill be the first state to vanish poverty in India," he added.

Expressing similar sentiments, Tata Group chief RatanTata said: "The leadership of Narendra Modi has proved thatGujarat is not only seeing industrial growth but is alsowitnessing rural development."

Anil Ambani exhorted other states to take a cue from Modifor development. "Gujarat is a role model for other states tolearn from ... Narendra bhai has single handedly transformedthe state into a power state," he said.

Gujarat today is the power capital and power hub of thecountry and stands out in a sharp contrast to other states inthe country, Ambani added.

It may be recalled that in the last edition of the summitheld in 2009, Anil Ambani and Bharti Group chief Sunil Mittalhad said that Modi should be the next Prime Minister of India.

ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar saidGujarat is seen as the country''s growth engine.

"Today when the world looks at India to drive world''sgrowth, India looks at Gujarat to drive India''s growth...thestate has the potential and the ability to drive this growth,"she added.

Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej gave full marks to Modifor his government''s sustainable and inclusive policies.

The state government said it has got investmentcommitments from various corporate houses to the tune ofnearly Rs 15 lakh crore on the first day of the two-dayVibrant Gujarat summit.