I had written a post on the Sixth Edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit just a couple of days ago. Yesterday, the Hon’ble CM of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, inaugurated the Summit in pomp and fashion, which ended today on a positive note.
The interesting feature was the West Bengal Governor Dhankar’s presence in the entire inaugural session. He rightly spoke high of the State he represents, showering praise on the Chief Minister and repeatedly conveying that India’s Prime Minister Modi is very happy with Bengal’s performance in many sectors.
I guess I have acquired a keen eye for the body language, and it seemed the CM was not particularly amused at the Governor’s newfound words of love and appreciation. For the uninitiated, the relationship between the two has always been frosty.
Of the many Industry stalwarts, Gautam Adani stole the show when he said he would be investing Rupees Ten thousand crores, notwithstanding the catch, in the next ten years. That makes an average of a thousand crore per year, leaving a huge void of the announced 3.42 lakh crores. I was always awed by the anchor, the former FM of West Bengal’s optimism that reflects on everyone, at least while inside the beautiful convention hall.
Other industrialists, too, played the usual lip service while earning and building their empires from Bengal and running to more lucrative but politically opposed states like the Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan for their newer ventures. I wouldn’t blame them, for business is like a flowing river and moves on the gradient, the clinching factor being the return on investments. Of the many corporates, none from the auto industry promised any immediate investment plan, still perhaps haunted by the Singur imbroglio, which formed the foundation of electing this government. The reversal of the presumed State’s apathy for industries can only be resolved by active and committed participation from all concerned, including the opposition parties.
The CM’s address was somewhat marred when she sought the Governor to convey to the Center not to disturb the industrialists. The forum was inappropriate for such digs, the situation somewhat saved by the lack of hearing by the Governor. However, the assembly disregarded this triviality as the CM announced that 137 MOUs had been signed with Rs.3.42 lakh crores investment proposals, which would create 40 lakh jobs. As claimed, earlier versions of the Summit have brought in Rs. 12 lakh crores investments.
The undying optimism in rapid industrialisation is like my undying hope of winning a power ball lottery someday. Somnath Chatterjee, the former head of the WBIDC, fondly called MOU da, must be smiling from heaven that he has finally found a match.
I humbly wish my best to West Bengal and the sincere efforts of Mamata Didi. I will be happy with every rupee of investment coming our way and every job created in the State.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
In Pic: Gautam Adani
