Mangaluru-(Press Release): The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has declared that, in alignment with its national theme, the CII Southern Region branch will focus this year on key enablers of growth that will propel economic growth of the southern states and will also set the tone to transition South India@75 to South India@100.
Speaking to reporters in the city on Saturday, Kamal Bali, Chairman of CII Southern Region, and President and Managing Director of Volvo Group India, said that the transition to South India@100 will be undertaken with the theme 'Transformation through Competitiveness, Growth, Sustainability, Trust & Globalisation' for the year 2023-24.
Highlighting the theme, Bali said, "We have nine tracks of focus or theme enablers. They are People and Culture Rejuvenation, Holistic Sustainability and ESG, Tech Adoption and Digital Transformation, Embracing Energy Transition, Innovation and Startup Ecosystems, Manufacturing Excellence, Industry 4.0, International Linkages, MSMEs, Membership Engagement and Brand Building and Sectoral Promotion."
Detailing the action points under the category of competitiveness, he said, "CII will work closely with the state government in bringing state-level policies on Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, as these are very important in realizing the economic goals and vision of the southern states. CII would also set up a state-level task force on Digital Transformation to support industries in their digitalization initiatives. This is primarily to make CII member companies be ready for Industry 4.0."
He added that CII will be handholding 2,000 MSMEs, which will be serviced and sensitized on various elements of competitiveness in collaboration with the CII Centres of Excellence.
The Chairman further said, "On the Growth front, CII would give special focus on state-level industrial policies and sectoral policies in areas like Start-ups, AI, Exports & Logistics, Food Processing & Clean Energy."
N M P Jeyesh, Regional Director, CII Southern Region, was also present at the Press Meet.
The CII Southern Region opened its office in Mangaluru on Saturday, as a major step towards expanding its services in South India. The office was inaugurated by Bali, in the presence of Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Chairman, CII Karnataka; Praveen Kumar Kalbhavi, Chairman, CII Mangaluru District, and other senior office bearers and members of Karnataka.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Bali said that, with the opening of new office in Mangaluru, CII’s office network in South India had increased to 17, including three in Karnataka. CII would now extend its services to members and other stakeholders with specific interventions for the development of MSMEs. Mangaluru, being a vibrant tier-II city, has huge potential to contribute to the growth of Karnataka, he opined.
Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan said that an office in Mangaluru was a long dream of members in Karnataka and with their support it had become a reality. With the expansion of its network in Karnataka, the CII would be able to service its members at the grass-root level.
The opening of the office in Manguluru would support in the industrialization and economic growth of the district, he added.
Praveen Kumar Kalbavi said, "The Mangaluru office will strengthen CII’s presence in tier-II cities in Karnataka and offer specific services to industry members in sectors like exports, food processing, manufacturing besides active engagement with academia and MSMEs in the district. The Mangaluru office will play a catalytic role in the transformation of the region as an economic power house of Karnataka."

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New Delhi (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who attended a prayer ceremony at 'Sadaiv Atal', the memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Thursday to pay tributes to him on his 101st birth anniversary.
Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers J P Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, NDA ally JD-U leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, several other ministers, MPs, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP working president Nitin Nabin were among those who attended the event.
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In a message, the prime minister said Vajpayee's personality, work and leadership will continue to be a guiding light for the all-around development of the nation. He said Vajpayee dedicated his entire life to good governance and nation-building.
"He will always be remembered as a brilliant orator as well as a spirited poet. Vajpayee's personality, work and leadership will continue to be a guiding light for the all-around development of the nation," PM Modi said.
Vajpayee was born on this day in Gwalior in 1924 and passed away in New Delhi on August 16, 2018. The government observes his birth anniversary as Good Governance Day.
The BJP marked the day by its leaders commemorating Vajpayee's legacy in nationwide events. Its chief ministers, Union ministers and MPs, besides organisational leaders, are part of these programmes held across the country.
Vajpayee, India's 13th prime minister, served the country for three terms between 1996 and 2004.
He is known for his valuable contribution to India's economic growth. The 'Operation Vijay', commonly known as the Kargil War, was fought against Pakistan and won during his tenure as prime minister. He made India a nuclear weapons power.
He had a distinguished four-decade parliamentary career, was elected nine times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha.
Rising from humble beginnings in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) to the post of prime minister, he received the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 for his selfless dedication to the nation and was conferred with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2015.
Vajpayee championed democratic ideals, women's empowerment, and social equality.
As prime minister, he prioritised good governance and economic development, building national highways, rural roads, expanding telecom, and improving infrastructure.
