Joshi wants marine institute in Gujarat

Union human resources development minister Murli Manohar Joshi has called for setting up a marine engineering institute in Gujarat.

"In view of the enormous potential and trade opportunities the 1600-km long coastline of Gujarat offers, it is imperative that a marine engineering institute is set up in the state," Joshi told a gathering of businessmen and industrialists of Surat at the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SGCCI) on Monday evening. He was in the city today to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Joshi also called for introducing new technologies in the textile and diamond industries.

"Even today, the local textile & diamond industries are giving a tough fight at the global level. Once new technology is introduced, there is no doubt that these industries will leave the competition far behind," he said. At the same time, Joshi advised trade representatives to have originality in technology as replicating someone else's technology would be no good.

The Union HRD minister was all praise for Surat, saying the city has developed at a tremendous pace in the past few years. He said this development is praiseworthy as it has been in a very balanced manner. Surat has witnessed growth with employment, which is not the case even in a country like the US, which is witnessing growth, but without employment.

Joshi said Surat's Model of Development is worth following in other cities, which would lead to progress in all sectors.

To SGCCI president Ashok Shah's suggestion on the need for a modern IT college in Surat, Joshi said it is not easy to set-up new institutes. He suggested that this proposal be tabled before the SGU or the Institute of Technology & Research. Joshi also urged the business community to consider setting up private educational institutes.

He said there was hardly any private educational institutes in Gujarat until a few years back, but emphasis was laid on encouraging such institutes, which led to 16 to 17 institutes coming up within an year.

He said there is a requirement and scope to set up 50 more such institutes in Gujarat.

The HRD minister also expressed grave concern at the fact that the world has become a very unbalanced place. Quoting a report, Joshi said one-sixth of the world's population, controls and enjoys 80 percent of the total produce, while only 20 percent produce is shared by the remaining five-sixth of the population.

Earlier, Joshi was welcomed at the programme by Chamber president Ashok Shah. Also present were Union Rural Development Minister Kashiram Rana, City BJP president Kishore Vankawala, SGU Vice Chancellor Premkumar Sharda, several chamber members and others.