‘What was lacking was a government’: Sanjiv Goenka’s big praise for Suvendu Adhikari

The book brings together India’s finest industrialists, namely Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sanjiv Goenka, Ajay Piramal, Naveen Jindal, Sangita Reddy, Bharat Hari Singhania, Harsh Neotia, Ratan Jindal and Omkar Goswami, writing tokens of their entrepreneurial journey to inspire the future generation of the nation’s leaders.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group, Harshvardhan Neotia, Managing Editor of Times Now, Zakka Jacob, President of ICC and Director of Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited, Brij Bhushan Agarwal, and various other dignitaries of the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group, Harshvardhan Neotia, addresses the audience at ICC Centenary Book Launch. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

In his welcome speech, Neotia spoke on the ICC completing 100 years since its founding in 1926.

“When we look back at hundred years of any organization, it is not just a moment of reflection on the time that we have spent and the work that we have done, but it's also an opportunity to renew the commitment of Indian Chamber of Commerce to the furtherance of industry, to the improvement in competitiveness of Indian industry, to advancement in governance, and ultimately in nation building.

“Being a chamber that is headquartered in Calcutta, now with a footprint across the country and perhaps in about ten, fifteen other countries, this is truly remarkable. It is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship,” said Neotia

Sanjiv Goenka spoke on the significance of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and heavily boasted about the regime change in Bengal's political system.

He spoke on the last 50 years being an extremely difficult time to do business in the state and that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari are helping Bengal and Kolkata get back the glory the city had once upon a time.

Sanjiv Goenka in conversation with host Zakka Jacob. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

“There has been no focus on actually attracting investment. There has been no investment in infrastructure. There was not much thought given to development. So yes, we've lagged for several decades. Now with the BJP coming to power, there is not only optimism, but there is confidence that the state will start moving ahead on all fronts. So not only investment, but infrastructure, everything,” Goenka said.

In conversation with Zakka Jacob, Goenka spoke on Bengal’s investment opportunities for corporations and business, saying, “First and foremost, Intellect- the intellect that Bengal has, I don’t think can be matched anywhere else in the country. Second, the price of land is much lower than any other major metro. Third, I think, is the price of power; it’s the cheapest in India, and by a mile.

“So, I think, commercially it has everything that’s required. What was lacking was a government that wanted to invite tech investment. Now with the BJP and Suvendu Adhikari, you have a government which is keen, and I am pretty sure you will see strides of that soon.”

The book launched by ICC brings together essays from the remarkable leaders of India,  many of whom represent families with several generations of association with ICC.

The essays do not dwell in the past, but talk about practical hands-on problems and experiences of individuals, providing an inspiring perspective to the future entrepreneurs of the nation.

(Reporting by Swastik Sarkar, Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)