It all began in 2003 with 500 delegates attending the first Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit. During the course of time, the scale increased and now there are 30,000 plus delegates registered for Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. From an investors meet, it evolved to become a platform where countries all over the world converge. Following the success of the event, other states in India have also followed a cue and are organising similar meets.
However, after Narendra Modi moved to the Centre as prime minister, the zeal has been missing for some reason or another. Over the years, the formats have remained the same and the seminars have become monotonous.
Earlier, the organisers used to announce committed investment figures, which itself were debatable. Now they do not reveal figures and focus only on tie-ups and announcement of projects.
This time around, the United States and the United Kingdom were not present as partner countries. However, there are 15 countries participating in this year's event, including Australia and Canada.
The inaugural ceremony on Friday, too, seemed to be lacklustre. Narendra Modi had no major announcements to make in the large convention hall in which many seats were empty. While the delegates in the blue category were given entry only after the inaugural session, the hall had a large presence of politicians from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The enthusiastic politicians clapped and shouted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' as Modi spoke.
Except Purshottam Rupala, who belongs to Gujarat, no other Union minister was present on the first day of the three-day event.
