Bengaluru (PTI): Pitching Karnataka as a key investment destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised its culture, language and people, and said the power of "double engine" government is one of the reasons for its fast-paced growth in several sectors.

The PM's stress on "double engine" government (same party in the government at both State and Centre), while delivering inaugural address at the three-day Global Investors' Meet, 'Invest Karnataka 2022', via video conferencing, gains significance, as the State goes to polls in about five months.

"Karnataka has the power of double engine, with the same party (BJP) in the government at both State and Centre. That is one of the reasons why the State is growing at a fast pace in several areas and is holding top ranking in ease of doing business and FDI inflow," Modi said.

The state also has about 400 'fortune 500 companies', and more than 40 of the 100 plus unicorns in the country, he noted. "Karnataka is today known as one among the world's largest technology clusters. From industry to IT, fin-tech to biotech, startup to sustainable energy, new records of progress are being written here."

Karnataka is not only challenging other states in India, but a few countries too, he said, adding that "whenever there is a talk about talent and technology, the name that first appears in the mind is: 'Brand Bengaluru'. It is established across the world."

'Invest Karnataka 2022' is said to be the first such large-scale investors meet in the country after COVID.

Welcoming investors to invest in the state, Modi said, "Karnataka is a place where there is both tradition and technology, there is a great amalgamation of nature and culture, and its identity is associated with both wonderful architecture and vibrant startups."

Karnataka is known for its most beautiful natural hotspots, he said. "the soft language Kannada, the rich culture here, and a sense of belongingness among Kannadigas towards all, has won the hearts of everyone."

Modi further said the organising of the Global Investors Meet is the best example for competitive and cooperative federalism.

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Guwahati (PTI): Blistering fifties by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel powered Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match here on Friday.

Sent in to bat, RCB rode on a fighting half-century by skipper Rajat Patidar (63) to post 201 for 8.

Virat Kohli (32), Romario Shepherd (22) and Venkatesh Iyer (29) also chipped in with useful contributions.

In reply, Sooryavanshi (78 off 26 balls) and Dhruv Jurel (81 not out off 43 balls) shared a 37-ball 108-run partnership for the second wicket to set the platform. Krunal Pandya (2/30) tried to bring them back with back-to-back wickets.

But Jurel, in the company of Ravindra Jadeja (24), completed the task with another 68-run stand, with two overs to spare.

For RR, Jofra Archer (2/33), Ravi Bishnoi (2/32) and Brijesh Sharma (2/37) took two wickets.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 201 for 8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 63; Jofra Archer 2/33, Ravi Bishnoi 2/32, Brijesh Sharma 2/37).

Rajasthan Royals: 202 for 4 in 18 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 78, Dhruv Jurel 80 not out; Krunal Pandya 2/30, Josh Hazlewood 2/44).