The evolution in Indore city over the last few decades has been enormous. No other city has achieved such traction. During the 1980s and 1990s, Indore was still known for cotton mills such as Hukumchand and the Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar (MTH) textile market. It was the capital of the Malwa area, which included the city and a 100-150-kilometer radius surrounding it on the Malwa plains, north of the Vindhya mountain range.
While Indore was the state capital, Ujjain the city of Mahakal was the cultural capital. Other cities include Devas, Dhar, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur etc . Indore was also known for Rajwada, the official residence of the Holkars, and Sarafa, which had city jewellers during day and became a good gastronomic spot by night. Govindram Sekseria, a prestigious engineering institution founded in 1963, attracted the brightest students from the state, as did MGM Medical College. Daly College was an exclusive school for the wealthy.
The progression of Indore really happened in the past 10...20 years. It bagged the cleanest city of the country a record 6th time and for good reasons. During these years, Indore became the first city to boast both the prestigious IIM and the IIT. Pithampur and Devas flourished as industrial cities, and Pithampur, along with Pune and Chennai, became synonymous with the country's automobile hub.
With the state's contribution to the nation increasing from 3.6 to 4.6 percent, it was no surprise when Chief Minister Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan declared that the state, particularly Indore, would become a 550 billion dollar industry centre in the future. The Ministry of External Affairs should be commended for choosing Indore as the site of the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD). This 'parampara' must now be carried on, with additional B towns being given the opportunity for future PBDs.
On Day 2 of the PBD convention, PM Modi won the hearts of the audience by speaking some typical Indore dialect such as 'apan' (meaning "us"). Other prominent speakers such as Guyana's President and Chief Guest Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali also spoke extensively and recollected memories as a student in India. The President of Surinam and special guest of honor, Chandrikaprasad Santokhi, used various Hindi words, from "parampara" to "Pehchaan," and described India as a trusted partner, reinforcing the major theme of the event, Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal.
Both of the guests expressed their unwavering faith and support for India and Prime Minister Modi, and made a number of suggestions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited to visit Guyana by the country's President.
