Wrapping up US visit, Chouhan pats NRIs from MP, seeks help in state progress

New York, Oct 27: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged Indian-Americans to help his state develop further and become a part of its rapid progress on various fronts. On Thursday, the sixth day of his week-long visit to US, he addressed an interactive session at the Consulate General of India here of the 'Friends of MP' conclave. Most of the people present were those whose origin is the central state. The chief minister is scheduled to leave for India on Saturday. “You have to work for the society in which you live, but you should not forget your motherland and the land of your origin,” Mr Chouhan said. “Imagine if Indian doctors don’t work in America what will be the health condition of people here," he said. Similarly, the Chief Minister referred to Indians’ contribution to Silicon Valley and other fields. “India is great because of your contributions here.” He pointed out that there will be a three-day Friends of MP convention in the state in the run-up to the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in the second week of January. The first day will be allotted for music, art and culture, and the other days will be dedicated for economic and social issues as well as wildlife tourism and available investment opportunities. The conclave, formed when Mr Chouhan last visited New York in 2015, was urged to participate in the convention. He announced the appointment of principal secretary S K Mishra and a new minister to be in-charge of the non-resident Madhya Pradesh people. At the end of his hour-long address to the gathering, estimated to be 200 people, the 58-year-old leader received a standing ovation. He spoke on a wide range of subjects. On the bilateral relationship,Mr Chouhan pointed out both India and America are democratic nations and for international benefit, fight jointly on issues, including terrorism, . He referred to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and President Donald Trump, saying the former restated India-America friendship and the latter became the first president to be present at a Diwali function at the White house. “We are not as we were in 1962 (when China unethically attacked India). We are not going to surrender to any power,” he said, adding those countries that 'intimidate us' would not be spared. In the economic sphere, the long-serving MP leader noted China might be a little ahead now, but New Delhi would get past Beijing shortly. Some 12-14 years ago, the infrastructure – especially the roads’ condition -- in the central state was woeful. But now Madhya Pradesh has one of the best roadways systems in the country. Referring to his remarks that the roads in the state are better than the ones in the US, Chouhan said he was here to market Madhya Pradesh. “I mentioned the situation and it became viral in social media. If the roads are good in my state, should I not say it?” he asked. The Chief Minister said he would rather prefer to take the “Super Corridor” to go to the Indore airport than going by road from Washington to its airport. He spoke about the power-surplus situation in the state and noted that the world’s largest solar plant would soon come up in Rewa district. Aside from that, electricity is being obtained from wind and hydro sources. The CM also spoke on farm growth (which is 20 per cent for the last five years), irrigation (every year 500,000 hectares are being added to the four million, which itself is a state record), food processing (whose capacity is being increased exponentially), health and education (where the situation has to be improved substantially). “We have double-digit economic growth—much higher than the national average,” he pointed out. “But it has no value if the poor people are not able to obtain those benefits.” Mr Chouhan said the government would ensure the provision of housing to all the poor in three years. Seven medical colleges are being set up now. “I am the first servant of the state, which itself is a big temple and the people themselves are god to me,” the chief minister observed. Focusing on the climate change, Mr Chouhan said, citing social reformer Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, “You may make the best use of the nature, but you should not exploit it towards its selfish ends.” UNI