Make in Odisha, 2018, the second edition of state’s showcase business event, got off to a grand start in the state capital with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik doing the honours at the inaugural ceremony.

1. The second edition of Make
in Odisha Conclave has
turned out to be a runaway
success

3. Thanks to Naveen Patnaik’s grand
vision and V.K. Pandian’s meticulous
efficiency, the second edition of
Make in Odisha Conclave has turned
out to be a runaway success

4. A livewire, this IAS officer worked tirelessly behind the
scenes ensuring that that everything went fine as the
event, which has drawn top industrialists of the country
to the state, was a prestige issue for the government.
He marshalled his resources well directing officials and
personally supervising preparations. He was one of the
key persons who conceptualised how to showcase the
state’s business potential and its rich cultural heritage
before the world during the conclave for which Japan is
the country partner.

5. Inaugurating the conclave in the presence of Japanese
ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu, Naveen asked
the industrialists to explore the opportunities the state
offers and have a look at Odisha’s growth trajectory. A
robot elegantly wrapped in a Samabalpuri saree
presented the scissor to the chief minister to cut the
ribbon as the conclave was declared open.“I welcome
you to discover the enormous business and growth
opportunities that the state offers, and all-round
development that the state has seen in the past two
decades,” Naveen said.

6. The first Make in Odisha Conclave, another feather in
Pandian’s cap, was held in 2016 with the state receiving
nearly Rs 2 lakh crore worth investment proposals. Earlier
during his meeting with the national executive committee
members of the FICCI, Naveen said “Odisha is emerging as
manufacturing hub of the East, and we are incessantly
working towards developing it as a global hub for the
industries in certain focus sectors. I am pleased to inform
you that the average time taken for project approvals in
state has reduced to an average 20 days.”

7. He said, “The state has set a Vision 2025 for industrial growth in six focus
sectors. I would urge the FICCI to partner with the state government departments
in successful implementation of our various initiatives.”
Captains of Indian industry responded to Naveen’s invitation to be partners in the
transformational journey of the state and pledged to invest billions here.
The conclave saw a flow of investment assurances to the state from doyens of
Indian industry. All the major industrial houses of the country, including Reliance,
Aditya Birla and Jindal group, announced to invest in the state and be a part of its
phenomenal growth.

8. Reliance Group chairman Mukesh Ambani
said: “Odisha has been growing at 8% per
annum, higher than the national average.
Odisha is fast becoming an ideal investment
destination. Reliance has already invested
over 6,000 crores in Odisha. And today I am
committing to invest an additional 3,000
crore in the next three years in our various
businesses in Odisha.”

9. BIG COMMITMENT

11. Similarly, Birla group chief KM Birla
announced to invest two billion
dollars in the state. “We have a
large-scale business here in the
state. We have plans to invest
around another two billion dollars in
the state in next two years,” said
Birla.

12. The Tata group, which has a significant presence in the
state, also announced investments of another Rs
25,000 crore in its Kalinga Nagar steel plant. Similarly,
JSPL announced ramping up its investment from Rs
45,000 crore to Rs 100,000 crore by 2030. Although
JSW chief Sajjan Jindal did not spell out the exact
amount the company would invest in the state, he made
it clear that it would be a substantial amount. The
company would set up a modern greenfield steel plant
in the Pardeep area. SAIL chief Anil Kumar Choudhary
announced that his company would invest Rs.41000
crores in the state in the next few years.

13. Speaking on the occasion, Naveen showcased
Odisha’s business potential, saying: “Today I
also look back to the first Make in Odisha
Conclave in 2016 which was a huge success
with 124 investment intents, worth more than
Rs 2 lakh crore and offering employment
opportunities for above one lakh people. You
will be glad to know that about two-third of
these projects are in various stages of
implementation.”

14. Stating that Odisha is today the Aluminum capital of South Asia and Steel
hub of India, Naveen said, “With a view to giving further impetus to certain
key manufacturing sectors, we have laid down the Odisha Industrial
Development Plan: Vision 2025 with a target of attracting investment of
Rs 2,50,000 Crore and creation of 30 lakh job opportunities in six identified
focus sectors by 2025.”
The Chief Minister also touched upon the Skill Odisha mission to build an
iconic global brand and the launch of a progressive Aerospace and
Defence Manufacturing Policy by his government in the recent past.

15. He said, “We have built a world-class infrastructure – a
18-storeyed World Skill Centre – in Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Skill Development Authority shall manage the
World Skill Centre with technical support from ITEES,
Singapore.”
Naveen said this Centre will function as the centralised
hub with all 71 government ITIs as spokes for
implementation of the Odisha Skill Development Project
– an ambitious Rs 1400 crore project. More than
1,50,000 trainers and trainees will be trained in the next
four years under this project.”

16. Naveen also touched upon his government’s
biotechnology policy and said the government is setting
up a Greenfield Electronics Manufacturing Cluster and
developing other facilities to provide an enabling
environment to support electronics manufacturing
industries. “Odisha is the first State to rope in TiE,
Silicon Valley, USA for investment in ESDM and IT
sector,” he said.
Naveen reminded all those present that the theme of
Make in Odisha conclave is “ I am Odisha,” which
celebrates all the successes of Odisha and its people.

17. Many political observers in the state have noted that the smooth
organisation of the conclave is a result of Pandian’s efficiency. He has
proved without doubt his organisational skills and his ability to deliver the
goods. Even the display boards have been strategically designed. One of
them reads: “My chrome is used in more than half of the shaving blades
worldwide.” Another says that Odisha has more than 1.25 lakh acres of
land bank for industrial development.
The conclave, managed by him for all practical purposes, showcases how
Bhubaneswar ranks among the 20 top smart cities in the world and third-
best city for doing business in India (World Bank). It has 1,78,404 technical
manpower graduating every year from 956 training institutions in Odisha.

18. Display boards have also been put up at the venue carrying the messages
of stalwarts of Indian industry. “Reliance is privileged to be one of the
largest investors in the state. Our investment in Odisha for development of
digital infrastructure and services have opened new avenues for growth for
hi-tech industries in the state,” says Reliance Industries’ Mukesh Ambani.
Vedanta Resources chairman Anil Agarwal in his message mentioned
about Odisha’s well-developed network. Chairman of Aditya Birla group,
KM Biral said, “The scale and diversity of investments in Odisha speaks
volumes about how the state is viewed by the industries as a top
investment destination.”

19. Pandian’s touch can also be seen in the set of activities
planned to acquaint the delegates with the heritage of
the state. For example, there was a five-kilometre
coastal run along the serene coast of the state from
Konark Temple to Ramachandi boat club along
Chandrabhaga beach. More than 200 participants,
including various businesspersons, government officials
and students, took part in this run with three winners
among men and women respectively.

21. ON SHOWCASE

22. The participants got a chance to witness the centuries-
old heritage of Bhubaneswar’s Old Town during the
walk. It took the participants through history,
showcasing ancient and historically significant temples
such as Mukteswar Temple, Parasurameswar Temple,
Bindusagar Lake, Anant Vasudev Temple and its
kitchen, apart from the Art Vision Academy. The walk
through Ekamra Kshetra showcased the participants the
old times in Odisha and made them witness the
splendid temples of Bhubaneswar culminating in a stroll
through the medicinal plants of Ekamravan. An Odissi
dance performance also mesmerized the audience.

23. People interested in sports were given a
chance to showcase their skills in a golf
tournament at the Bhubaneswar Golf Club.
About 32 participants enjoyed golf along with
beautiful views of a wooded hillock and
adjoining forest.

24. For the participants interested in Odia arts, tradition and culture there was
a tour of Kala Bhoomi, the crafts museum of Odisha displaying the
multifaceted rich and vibrant traditions of handlooms and handicrafts of the
state. The participants were able to immerse themselves in the vibrant
galleries depicting the evolution of the handwoven fabrics and handicrafts
of the state. A live pottery workshop and musical performance engaged the
participants at the museum.
It required the genius of Pandian to execute such a show on such a grand
scale. No wonder he is the chief minister’s most trusted lieutenant.

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