'Vibrant Gujarat' off to a colourful start

Even as the event that would lead to the global investors' summit got underway at the Kankaria Football Ground, an important question remained unanswered: How many prospective investors are arriving for the meet.

There were not more than 250 foreign guests, NRIs and NRGs at the inaugural function.

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, who was to be the chief guest at the inaugural function, was not present.

The number of foreign guests was below 70 and the number of the NRIs and NRGs invited for the function remained below 200.

Beginning the proceedings, the Chief Minister Narendra Modi said with this Global Investors' Summit, the state will experience a surge in trade and commercial activity starting this Navratri festival.

The programme will showcase the real power and potential of Gujarat in front of the world, he said.

"During the day, we will plan for the development of Gujarat and at night, we will pray to the goddess Shakti," he said regarding the investors' summit that has been clubbed with the Navratri festival.

The Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani termed his presence on the occasion as a coincidence as he visits the state every year on September 25 for the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and to seek blessings of Lord Somnath.

Unimpressed with the heavy security arrangements, the deputy prime minister said "Do not harass people in the name of security. Heavy security is unfriendly."

"Celebrations will lose their significance if people cannot participate in them whole-heartedly," Advani said.

Only after Advani lambasted the security personnel for harassing people in the name of security that police allowed people to occupy the vacant seats at the venue.

Advani said "India is respected for its democracy. Changes are made in this country through the ballot box and not through bullets as in some other parts of the world. The people of Gujarat have helped the country build up its image as Gujaratis go abroad and set an example to the world by their achievements there."

Advani said "The Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit will create a new identity not only for Gujarat, but also for India."

The cultural programmes included dance performance by artists from 18 states.

The cultural programmes included the traditional 'garba' and 'raas' dance, a shadow puppet play 'Hanuman Duta' by the members of the Indonesian Embassy in India and various performances by the Indonesian cultural troupe and artists from Bali and Java.

Eight stages had been set up around the Kankaria Lake to view the spectacular laser show and fireworks display which started at midnight.