Political, business bigwigs to share stage at VHP’s biz forum

Shiv Kumar|
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, September 21

Senior politicians such as Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will share the stage with industrialists like Ajay Piramal and executives from the Tatas and MNCs at the World Hindu Economic Forum being organised in Mumbai next week.

The WHEF, which has been held in different cities of the world is being organised in India for the first time, according to Vigyananand, Joint General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)—the organisation behind the initiative.

“We have held the WHEF in different cities of the world and are organising it in India for the first time,” Vigyanand told reporters here.

According to him the three-day conference to be held from September 27 onwards will have more than 350 foreign delegates from 37 countries.

”The focus this year will be on making India a US$ 5 trillion economy. The main theme of WHEF this year would be ‘Prosperous Society: Stronger Society’ which would look at how India can take the advantage of the next generation technology-driven industrial revolution,” a statement by the organisers said.

According to Vigyanand the forum will discuss ways to increase employment in the country.

“We will discuss methods to increase employment opportunities in the country,” he pointed out. According to the VHP leader, the forum will also look at training people in adoption of newer technologies in the country.

“The conference will focus on how to boost the economy and create more employment through the technologically driven fourth industrial revolution,” Vigyanand said.

The WHEF is also lobbying with the Indian government for setting up a bank. With the Reserve Bank of India unlikely to give it permission the organisers are looking to buy a bank in a foreign country and obtain a license to operate it in India, Vigyanand said.