Gujarat Information Bureau

Gujarat Information Bureau, Government of Gujarat, Ahmedabad September 17, 2014

PRESS RELEASE

Gujarat witnessed historic moment of visit of Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ...... Three MoUs were signed in the presence of the dignitaries, which will generate investment and forge further cooperation ...... India and China have strong history of 2000 years in the areas of religion, culture, trade and industry. Both countries share commonalities in their heritage and culture. China and India are now front runners for becoming strong economies of the world.

The delegation led by the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, and present Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited China in 2011 and conducted successful meetings with top Chinese political leaders, representatives of industry associations and leading industrialists. Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat recently inaugurated the ‘Green Energy Park’ in 2014, which has been set up by TBEA near Vadodara to manufacture power generation equipment. A Chinese delegation led by the Chinese Ambassador also visited Gujarat in July 2014 to strengthen trade and investment between the two regions. This was followed by the visits of other Chinese delegations.

To further bolster the relations between the two Asian giants, the Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping is leading a high powered delegation to India, comprising of top ministers, bureaucrats and industrialists. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi welcomed Mr. Xi Jinping during his visit to Gujarat.

A function held at Hotel Hyatt in Ahmedabad witnessed signing of three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in presence of the Chinese President and Indian Prime Minister, as well as dignitaries from China, Gujarat and leading industrialists. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed establishing 'Sister Province' relations between Guangdong, China and Gujarat, India. The MoU covers cooperation in economy and trade, environmental protection, public policy education, health, science and technology, tourism and culture. Page No-1

Page No-2 Through this MOU, both the sister provinces will also extend mutual cooperation in the fields of sports, youth affairs, urban planning, waste water management, infrastructure, environment, public health and exchange of economic and trade delegations.

On the same lines, a MOU was signed between the cities of Guangzhou, China and Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India for closer cooperation between the local authorities of the two cities. This will facilitate engagements in the fields of economy and trade, environment protection, public policy, education, health, science and technology, tourism and culture. Knowledge sharing will be done through delegation visits, institutional meetings and sharing of experiences in areas of mutual interest.

China Development Bank has taken the lead in encouraging Chinese investors in Gujarat by extending credit to set up industrial parks and factories within such parks. A MOU was signed between Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb), the nodal agency of Government of Gujarat for investment promotion, and China Development Bank, under which iNDEXTb will assist Chinese investors in obtaining required clearances and creating infrastructure facilities in the industrial parks. Chinese investors will set up manufacturing units in the electrical, electronics, plastics and other sectors in these industrial parks. This will help promote domestic industry, as local companies will have the opportunity to become suppliers to the Chinese manufacturing units. It will also encourage adoption of new technology by local firms and reduce imports. Citizens will benefit from increased employment and availability of goods at lower prices. Under this MOU, iNDEXTb and CDB also agreed to facilitate interactions between manufacturing companies and industry and trade associations of China and Gujarat in investment promotion activities. ******* Gujarat Information Bureau, Government of Gujarat, Ahmedabad September 17, 2014

PRESS RELEASE PM launches Swavlamban Abhiyaan – new pro- poor initiatives of the Guajrat Government

******** "Three things are important for the shram-yogi: self reliance (swavalamban), self independence (swashray) and self-dignity (swabhimaan)."

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today launched "Swavalamban Abhiyan" - a set of 11 new pro-poor initiatives of the Gujarat Government, at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. Addressing a large gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that 17th September is observed as Vishwakarma Day across the country, and Vishwakarma is revered by all shram-yogis (people who live through hard work). Congratulating the state government, he said it is significant that the state government has chosen this day to launch "Swavalamban" initiatives.

The Prime Minister said three things are important for the shram-yogi: self reliance (swavalamban), self independence (swashray) and self-dignity (swabhimaan). He said no "shram yogi" likes to be dependent. Gujarat Government has launched these pro-poor initiatives for the benefit of shram yogis, especially women and youth, so that they are empowered to fight poverty, he added. This is in keeping with the spirit of "Shrameva Jayate," he said.

The Prime Minister said that women in Gujarat are at the forefront of animal husbandry and milk production, and they will be benefited and empowered through this scheme. He also said ITIs in the state are focusing on soft skill development, so that the students can communicate their skills and abilities. The Prime Minister said the neo-middle class will also receive protection through the Swavalamban initiative of Ma-Vatsalya Yojana.

Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel termed the set of welfare schemes launched for poor on the birthday of the Prime Minister as an uniqaue and historical gift for the poor and deprived people of the state.

Smt. Patel said the schemes are showing the determination of Mr. Modi to provide an opportunity to the poor to join the main stream of developed section of the society. So far, the poor welfare schemes were centered around the families living below the poverty line. But the new set of schemes are covering all sections, including empowering the women, education and empoyment for youths.

The Chief Minister said, the BJP’s new government at the Centre under the leadership of Mr. Modi is speedily clearing all the long pending issues of Gujarat. The Gujarat Work Agenda and Swavlamban Abhiyaan would surely give desired results to fulfill the Prime Minister’s dream of ‘Divya Bhavya Gujarat’ (Great Gujarat).

Gujarat Governor Mr. O. P. Kohli said under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi (when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat) Gujarat was turned into the ‘Golden Gujarat’ and now it has become a bright-star on the world map.

The developmental path set up by Mr. Modi would inspire every citizen to become self-dependent. In this direction in coming days the state government would sure put sincere efforts and achieve fruitful results, he expressed with a confident voice.

Others who spoke on the occasion, included Gujarat’s Chief Secretary Dr. Varesh Sinha. The Prime Minister also distributed assistance to the beneficiaries of the schemes like Chief Minister’s Maa Amrutam Maa Vatsalya, Dattopant Thegadi Karigar Vyaj Sayah and others.

The function was also attnded by Union Minister of State Mr. Mansukh Vasava, Gujarat’s Council of Ministers, Assembly Speaker, Members of Parliament, Member of Legislative Assembly, family members of the beneficiaries, senior officials and dignitaries and invitees.

x-x-x Grand, traditional Indian welcome is accorded to Chinese President in Gujarat

The Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping was accorded a grand, traditional Indian welcome by the Gujarat’s Governor Mr. O. P. Kohli and Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel on his arrival at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad on his short visit to the state, this afternoon.

Later, the Chinese Premier was also given warm welcome by Gujarat Government’s Protocol Minister Mr. Pradipsinh Jadeja, Ahmedabad city Mayor Smt. Minaxi Patel, Gujarat’s Chief Secretary Dr. Varesh Sinha, and other senior secretaries and officials.

Then, Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yuchcng had given introduction of every present dignitaries to Mr. Xi Jinping. After that the Chinese President was also given Guard of Honour at the Airport.

Then, the Chinese Premier was given a grand welcome with traditional Indian folk dances and music by the folk artists at the Airport.

PRESS RELEASE PM’s mother Heeraba donates Rs. 5K for flood hit Kashmiris

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Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s mother Heeraba showered blessings for his long life on his birthday when he visited her here this morning. She also gave a donation of Rs. 5,000 from her personal sasving to Mr. Modi as help to severely flood hit Kashmiri people.

Mr. Narendra Modi is on the two day visit of Gujarat and today is his birthday. Like every year on this birth day Mr. Modi visited his younger brother Mr. Pankajbhai’s residence to take the blessings of mother Heeraba. Mr Modi had spent nearly 20 minutes with his mother and other family members.

For last several years on his birthday, Heeraba was gaving Rs 101/- and blessings to Mr. Modi. But, today showing the softer side of a mother’s heart, she handed over Rs. 5,000 to him as a help to flood hit poor Kashmiri people.