Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India is witnessing an unprecedented phase of certainty amidst great global uncertainty. Mr Modi was speaking after inaugurating the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions in Rajkot. He said India is moving rapidly to become a developed nation, with reforms playing a crucial role in achieving this objective.
The Prime Minister urged industry leaders to invest in India and the Saurashtra-Kutch region, saying this is the right time for investment. He stressed that along with infrastructure, an industry-ready workforce is today’s biggest need. He said the Gujarat Saurashtra-Kutch region has emerged as a key hub for manufacturing, green growth, and green mobility. He noted that the world’s largest 30-gigawatt clean energy park is being developed in Kutch.
Highlighting the region’s transformation, Mr Modi said the Morbi-Jamnagar-Rajkot industrial belt has earned the nickname “Mini Japan” due to its scale, skills, and global linkages. He also pointed to major investment opportunities in port-led development, fisheries, and infrastructure. He said India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, supported by an industry-ready workforce and next-generation reforms in sectors such as GST, IT, insurance, labour, and nuclear energy.
The conference is the second of four Vibrant Gujarat regional events aimed at decentralising industrial growth across the Saurashtra and Kutch regions. It is aimed at boosting investment, innovation and growth in twelve western districts of Saurashtra and Kutch.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister virtually launched 13 greenfield smart industrial estates across seven districts of Saurashtra and inaugurated a specialised medical device park in Rajkot.
Prominent industry leaders Prominent Industry leaders including Mukesh Ambani, Karan Adani, and BK Goenka, attended the inaugural ceremony and participated in the inaugural ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Indian billionaire businessman and Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, Mukesh Ambani, expressed gratitude for being part ofthe Summit, marking 20 successful years of Vibrant Gujarat in Gandhinagar. Praising Prime Minister Modi, he stated that never in the history of independent India has the country seen so much hope and vibrancy as it does today.
Indian billionaire businessman and the founder and chairman of Welspun World, Balkrishan Gopiram Goenka, highlighted that Kutch will be known for housing the world’s largest home textile company. He lauded the Prime Minister’s efforts, vision and leadership for revamping the face of Gujarat.
Our correspondent reports that the conference serves as a platform for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions, targeting critical sectors such as ceramics in Morbi, engineering in Rajkot, and the extensive ports and logistics network along the coastline. Global engagement remains a priority, with Japan, South Korea, Rwanda, and Ukraine participating as partner countries to explore opportunities in green energy, petrochemicals, and agro-processing. The conference is expected to be a major catalyst for the regional economy, with more than 1,500 Memoranda of Understanding likely to be signed during the two-day event.
Earlier, on the second day of his visit to Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Trade Exhibition in Rajkot this afternoon. Spanning across an expansive 18,000 square metres, this grand exhibition is a vibrant showcase of development and innovation. More than 400 exhibitors have gathered in the city to present their cutting-edge capabilities across a diverse range of sectors, including agriculture, food processing, fisheries, and defence, as well as energy, petrochemicals, and logistics, with prominent participation from major corporates such as Torrent Power Limited, Cosol, Adani Green, and the Essar Group, alongside Nayara Energy and Jyoti CNC.
In the morning, Prime Minister Modi took part in the historic Somnath Swabhiman Parv, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Somnath Temple, at the coastal town of Prabhas Patan in the Gir Somnath district. The event marked one thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD by Mahmud of Ghazni. Mr Modi led the grand ‘Shaurya Yatra’ on the occasion. The ceremonial procession of 108 horses was organised to honour the countless warriors who defended the Somnath Temple over centuries. Thousands of devotees from across the country took part in the procession.
Addressing a massive gathering on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi called upon citizens to stay united and defeat all forces conspiring to divide the country. He urged countrymen to move forward together, shoulder to shoulder, for the cause of Viksit Bharat while remaining deeply connected to the nation’s past.
Describing the Somnath Swabhiman Parv as a vibrant reflection of the eternal faith and devotion, the Prime Minister stated that this festival is not merely a celebration of historical glory but a vital opportunity to keep the timeless journey of the Somnath temple alive for future generations.
Emphasising the values of Indian civilisation, Mr Modi said that Indian civilisation does not teach people to defeat others but rather to live a balanced life. Recalling the temple’s historic journey of redevelopment following successive invasions from Ghazni to Aurangzeb, Mr Modi noted how Somnath Temple rose and was rebuilt time and again.
