The first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas (PRD) in Jaipur was not only a cultural homecoming. The state government used the platform to outline a coordinated development agenda across mining, energy, tourism, education and health. The underlying message was that the diaspora is no longer viewed simply as a sentimental constituency but as an economic partner whose capital, networks and technical expertise are needed for the state’s long-term strategy.
Across the sectoral discussions as part of PRD, the direction of the state’s development push became clear. The common thread was preparation for Viksit Rajasthan 2047.
Mining: Critical minerals at core of industrial ambition
The mining session signalled Rajasthan’s intent to move beyond raw extraction towards becoming a key part of India’s strategic minerals ecosystem. The government highlighted that Rajasthan produces 58 of the country’s 82 identified minerals, including 15 critical minerals such as rare earth elements, potash, lead-zinc and fluorite.
The state also drew attention to deposits of emerald, fluorite and newly identified gold reserves in Banswara. MoUs with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIT Hyderabad reflect a shift towards scientific, data-based exploration.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma described mining as the backbone of Rajasthan’s industrialisation. “Our government is committed to transforming this potential into progress,” he said. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy added that a mineral exchange was planned to improve transparency and reduce dependence on imports.
The government wants the sector to drive rural employment, district-level industrial clusters and export capacity. It also acknowledged the need for safeguards and community engagement, with Minister Babu Lal Kharadi assuring that residents of mineral-rich tribal districts would receive priority in employment.
Energy: Rajasthan as a renewable energy pivot
The energy session showed how assertively Rajasthan is positioning itself within India’s clean energy framework.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal’s assertion that the “sunrise of green energy will begin from Rajasthan” was anchored in recent policy moves. The approval of Green Energy Corridor-III and the extension of central transmission networks through the state point to a structural transition: Rajasthan is emerging not only as a leader in solar energy but also as a key link in the national grid.
Chief Minister Sharma outlined land allocations for gigawatt-scale solar parks, expansion under PM-KUSUM and the development of battery storage capacity. He said the state now leads the country in solar and total renewable energy capacity and is moving towards surplus power generation.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing daytime electricity to farmers by 2027 and to scaling up battery storage to meet peak demand.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) were described as both a bottleneck and an opportunity. Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma said that traditional grid expansion alone could not address future needs.
The appeal to the diaspora was straightforward: Bring investment and technical expertise to storage, manufacturing and R&D.
Tourism: Heritage, experiences and a new policy
Tourism remains one of Rajasthan’s strongest economic sectors, and at PRD the government sought to update this narrative through the launch of the Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2025.
The policy focuses on heritage conservation, new circuits and investment facilitation. By identifying more than 600 havelis for restoration and inviting diaspora participation, the government reframed heritage as an investment opportunity.
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari described the diaspora as cultural ambassadors, while Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Rajasthan would feature prominently among India’s emerging global-standard destinations. He also welcomed the addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO intangible heritage list.
The objective is to shift tourism from a sentiment-driven sector to a competitive industry supported by policy clarity.
Education: Building a knowledge economy
The education session outlined Rajasthan’s strategy for a skills-oriented, technology-supported system designed to prepare students for global competition.
The chief minister listed expansions in public education, including 71 new government colleges, 21 new polytechnics, smart classrooms, digital libraries and science and mathematics labs.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav stressed digital literacy and foundational learning. Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa underlined the government’s focus on innovation and exposure for students.
Industry and academic leaders noted that while Rajasthan has expanded capacity, the next step is to improve learning outcomes, research quality and industry linkages. Speakers from IIT Jodhpur, IIM Udaipur and BITS Pilani highlighted the need to align higher education with emerging fields such as med-tech, AI and startups.
The diaspora was encouraged to support scholarships, rural school development and international partnerships.
Health: Expansion of state-supported infra
The discussions on health pointed to a two-track strategy: Strengthening public health systems while encouraging private and diaspora-led investment in tertiary care, med-tech and diagnostics.
The chief minister referred to free medicines, diagnostics, Ayushman-linked cashless treatment and the rapid expansion of medical colleges. Rajasthan’s claim of moving towards SDG-3 and universal health coverage by 2030 is significant given its demographic challenges.
Health Minister Gajendra Singh spoke of large-scale recruitment to fill workforce shortages while Social Justice Minister Avinash Gehlot framed health investment as essential to economic productivity.
Women and Child Development Minister Dr Manju Bhatnagar emphasised maternal and child health indicators and sought diaspora involvement in nutrition and digital monitoring initiatives.
Participation from industry leaders, including digital health and diagnostics firms, indicated the government’s preference for a hybrid model: A strong public backbone with private and diaspora-supported innovation layered on top.
Diaspora engagement: Towards structured partnership
The launch of the NRR Policy 2025 and the Rajasthan Development Support Portal (RDSP) marks a shift towards systematic engagement with the diaspora.
The new policy introduces structured mechanisms for grievance redressal, investment facilitation, cultural linkages and district-level development support.
Union Minister Shekhawat underlined Rajasthan’s comparative advantages, from land and raw materials to renewable energy and growing water security. Chief Minister Sharma highlighted heritage preservation and religious sites as areas where diaspora support could have visible impact.
Industries Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore described diaspora investors as “captains of change” and presented RDSP as a tool linking philanthropy with development needs.
Representation from domestic and international chapters suggested the government intends PRD to evolve into a single annual platform for investment, collaboration and policy communication.
