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Rising Rajasthan Global Summit
Daily Bulletin # 1 | December 09, 2024
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Inaugural Session
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in Jaipur, emphasising Rajasthan's dynamic growth and resilience. Highlighting its rich resources, modern connectivity, vibrant heritage, and youth power, he termed Rajasthan as "Rising, Reliable, and Receptive." Modi underscored the state’s ability to balance challenges with new opportunities, asserting its strategic importance as a link between Delhi and Mumbai, which supports national growth. Rajasthan's economy is strongly supported by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with over 27 lakh SMEs employing more than 5 lakh individuals, paving the way for economic advancement. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma highlighted pre-summit MoUs worth ₹35 lakh crore, emphasising efforts to ensure benefits for agriculture, industries, and water resources.
Kumar Mangalam Birla outlined Rajasthan’s progress pillars as MITR (Minerals, Infrastructure, Tourism, Renewable Energy). Anand Mahindra announced that the company’s solar division has established 1.1 GW of solar capacity in Rajasthan and committed over ₹11,000 crore to add 2.8 GW. The group has generated 5,000 direct jobs in the state and plans to significantly increase employment in the next five years, aligning with its ongoing investments in renewable energy and sustainable development initiatives in the region. Anil Agarwal of Vedanta Group announced significant investments of ₹1 lakh crore, creating employment for 1 lakh individuals and contributing ₹10,000 crore to the state government. Karan Adani praised Rajasthan for its balance of heritage and progress.
Modi lauded Rajasthan’s multifaceted strength in roads, railways, tourism, and hospitality, reinforcing its role as a national growth engine.
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Transforming Manufacturing With Industry 4.0
Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised Rajasthan's vast tourism potential, suggesting the integration of AI to identify "what, why, where, and how" to attract more tourists. He highlighted that AI can bridge existing gaps, making tourism more affordable and accessible. Complementing this vision, Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore praised Rajasthan’s shift from red tape to red carpet, reflecting the state’s commitment to ease of doing business.
Deepak Shetty, CEO and Managing Director of JCB India, highlighted Jaipur as JCB’s largest manufacturing facility, exporting to over 85 countries. He underscored that Make in India had transformed the industrial landscape, targeting a 25 percent GDP contribution from manufacturing. Shetty emphasised adopting advanced technologies to ensure global competitiveness.
Panelists further elaborated on Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, robotics, and IoT, which enhance productivity, reduce downtime, and promote sustainability. They noted that every manufacturing job creates 2-3 service jobs, underscoring the sector’s economic significance. Workforce upskilling, policy reforms, and investments in infrastructure were deemed crucial for sustained growth.
The session concluded with a call for collaboration among industry, government, and technology stakeholders to address challenges, foster innovation, and position India as a leader in global manufacturing while creating significant employment opportunities.
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HerStory: Advancing Inclusive Societies
In this thought-provoking session, Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, announced plans to distribute 1.25 lakh bicycles and 21,000 scooters as part of the state’s initiatives for empowerment. He also revealed that the government will integrate the "1 Lakh Lakhpati Didi" initiative into its development programs and provide gas cylinders at a subsidised rate of ₹450. Programs dedicated to the upliftment of youth, farmers, women, and labourers are scheduled for December 12, 13, 14, and 15, respectively, during which various schemes will be unveiled.
Mr Mahendra Soni, Principal Secretary of Women and Child Development, highlighted the transformative role of women entrepreneurs in driving sustainable growth and societal change. He emphasised the importance of education and skill development in fostering innovation and creating networking opportunities for women. His discourse focused on the economic and social factors influencing women’s entrepreneurship, including access to finance, mentorship, family support, and gender equality. Mr Soni also addressed the challenges faced by women, such as limited funding and an unfavourable ecosystem, while outlining strategies to overcome these barriers.
He also elaborated on government initiatives in Rajasthan designed to create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs. Key efforts include providing financial tools, digital infrastructure, and establishing incubators, accelerators, and community networks. These initiatives aim to position women not only as participants but as leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering a ripple effect of empowerment and societal change.
The session concluded by reaffirming the commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. He celebrated the resilience of women entrepreneurs, sharing stories of triumph and inspiration. The session provided valuable insights and actionable ideas to build a thriving, inclusive ecosystem, leaving the audience motivated to advance equality and sustainable progress.
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Country Session: Malaysia
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Versatility of Industries: Manufacturing and Beyond
There is robust potential in Malaysia-India relations, particularly in tourism and trade. Malaysia’s strategic Southeast Asian location, stable political environment, and business-friendly policies make it an attractive destination for Indian investors and tourists alike. With direct flights between the two nations and visa-free travel incentives, Malaysia offers affordable, culturally diverse tourist experiences, including popular destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Penang, ideal for destination weddings.
On the trade front, Malaysia provides significant investment opportunities in renewable energy, eco-friendly manufacturing, and textiles. Its 16 free trade agreements enable preferential trade, and the new Industrial Master Plan 2030 emphasises high-value sectors like chemical manufacturing and advanced materials. Rajasthan, with its rich resources and established industries, complements Malaysia’s offerings, creating avenues for bilateral collaboration.
The session celebrated the historical and cultural ties between the two nations, highlighting shared architectural traditions and vibrant multicultural legacies. Enhanced partnerships through special economic zones, Malaysian government initiatives, and Indian diaspora networks promise to deepen cooperation, fostering mutual economic growth and strengthening the tourism sector. The event concluded with a call to leverage this partnership for sustainable development.
The session highlighted Malaysia's strategic location, business-friendly policies, and cultural diversity, fostering bilateral ties with India. Key sectors for collaboration include tourism, renewable energy, and manufacturing. Rajasthan’s industries and heritage complement Malaysia's offerings, promising mutual growth through shared initiatives, trade agreements, and strengthened cultural connections, underscoring their long-standing relationship.
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Regional water security: Technology and Governance
The discussion focused on the integration of technology and governance to address water challenges. Abhay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources for Rajasthan, emphasised the role of large dams in supporting both energy transitions and climate adaptation, advocating for a regional water security board for better management. He raised critical questions about groundwater recharge and the importance of water sustainability, highlighting the irreplaceable value of every drop.
Manoj Tripathi, Chairman of BBMB, underscored the significance of water security over energy security, emphasising the necessity of appropriate geographical conditions and factors in building large dams to support agriculture and industries.
Nua and Sara from Israel highlighted the division of water management into saline and freshwater categories, as well as the importance of water pricing to encourage efficient usage. They shared the potential to enhance Rajasthan’s pomegranate production sector, leveraging their expertise in well-developed sectors like dates and vegetables. This exchange underscored the need for a balanced approach to water management, integrating technological advancements and governance strategies to ensure sustainable water resources.
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Solar Energy
The country session on Brazil, themed around solar energy, highlighted Brazil's impressive progress in renewable energy, with 85 percent of its electrical energy derived from renewable sources. Dignitaries, including the Brazilian Ambassador to India and Rajasthan’s Cabinet Minister Avinash Gehlot, emphasised the potential for India and Brazil to collaborate in advancing solar energy. Although India started its solar journey earlier, Brazil has rapidly caught up, with households being the largest users of solar energy, followed by entrepreneurs. The session stressed the need for both nations to further harness renewable energy to meet sustainable development goals and drive innovation in the sector.
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Water Management for Liveable Cities
The session focused on Denmark’s strengths in sustainability and societal investment, particularly in water management for creating livable cities. The emphasis was on Denmark’s success in implementing a holistic water plan, which has significantly improved urban livability through effective public engagement. This approach has not only addressed water management challenges but also set a model for other cities globally.
The discussion expanded into broader areas of sustainability, including energy efficiency and resource management, with insights from industry experts. Professor Avinaj Kumar Agarwal from IIT Delhi highlighted Denmark's water management practices, illustrating their impact on efficient resource use. Mr. Rishi Chawla from Novo Nordisk shared valuable lessons on resource efficiency in production. The session also touched on Denmark’s commitment to sustainability through its family-owned and foundation-owned companies like Lego, Carl, Novo Nordisk, and Maersk, which prioritise long-term sustainability goals.
The speakers called for a collective effort to prioritise water management, stressing its crucial role in achieving progress and prosperity. The conversation underscored the importance of learning from Danish companies and their water management strategies, advocating for similar approaches to be adopted globally for sustainable development.
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Sustainable Mining - Safeguarding the future
The session outlined four main objectives: achieving zero-waste mining, eco-friendly reclamation and rehabilitation, fostering innovation in sustainable mining, and implementing technical interventions.
Case studies from prominent mines showcased global leadership in sustainable mining. Kiruna Mine in Sweden targets carbon neutrality by 2045 using electric vehicles and AI-driven optimisation. Bingham Canyon Mine in the USA integrates renewable energy and Indigenous engagement. Australia's Pilgangoora Operations employs solar-powered systems, automated drilling, and water recycling. Indonesia's Grasberg Mine features state-of-the-art tailing facilities and a focus on community and environmental stewardship.
The session highlighted six critical areas: AI-driven exploration, autonomous excavation technologies, advanced concentration and refining methods, renewable energy adoption, waste recycling for mineral recovery, and automated material handling using robotics.
Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of innovation and global collaboration in creating a sustainable future for the mining sector, aligning with environmental and social governance (ESG) standards.
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Embracing Diversity: Promoting Inclusive Tourism
Ravi Jain, Secretary, of the Tourism Department, GoR, highlighted Rajasthan’s uniqueness in tourism, noting that 68 percent of India’s heritage hotels are located in the state. With 180 million tourists visiting India, he stressed the importance of inclusive tourism, focusing on tourists rather than just tourism beneficiaries. He emphasised the need for barrier-free and diverse experiences and detailed the benefits of the Rajasthan Tourism Unit Policy (RTUP) for stakeholders. Jain also proposed land banks for tourism projects and strong engagement with stakeholders. Training programs to involve local communities in tourism and Jaipur’s hosting of the IIFA Awards were also discussed.
The esteemed speakers called tourism the “biggest catalyst of change” and emphasised “Paryatan se Parivartan.” Atul Bhansali of Indian Hotels Company (Taj Group) highlighted tourism’s transformative role, while Shailesh Lodha emphasised promoting Rajasthan through art, entertainment, and destination weddings. Despite receiving industry status, panellists noted the tourism sector has yet to see substantial benefits, though it has achieved a level playing field with other industries.
Speakers including poet-actor Shailesh Lodha, actor Nakuul Mehta, and tourism experts Anjali Bharathari Ravi and Neha Arora highlighted Rajasthan's unmatched diversity, which is unparalleled in India or abroad. Nakuul Mehta emphasised the need to connect visitors with the stories of Rajasthan’s art and culture alongside its royal heritage. With offerings ranging from wildlife to adventure, he urged promoting tourism with fresh perspectives, particularly through the lens of youth. Suggestions included creating experiential museums, promoting Rajasthan for young travellers through digital storytelling, and connecting local artisans via platforms like ROOF. It was highlighted in the session that there is a dire need for accessible tourism, underlining its role in ensuring inclusivity. The RTUP was also proposed as a model for other states like Uttarakhand.
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