At the inaugural Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas in Jaipur, renowned industrialist and Chairman of the Vedanta Group Anil Agarwal received the “Pravasi Rajasthani Samman”. The award was given by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma in honour of Anil Agarwal’s contributions to employment, industry, and social advancement. In addition, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajasthan Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, and Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Bhupender Yadav attended the event.

Anil Agarwal made a significant announcement during the occasion, saying that the business will invest 1 lakh crore to increase its production in the areas of zinc, lead, silver, oil and gas, and renewable energy. “Rajasthan has abundant oil, gas, and mineral reserves, giving it the potential to take India’s economy to even greater heights,” he said, adding that the state will be a stop on India’s path to becoming a developed nation. Rajasthan has the potential to provide the globe with minerals and natural resources in the years to come, much like Punjab provides food for the country.

By creating a Zinc Park, the Vedanta Group hopes to support the state’s small and medium-sized zinc manufacturing businesses. The chairman said that the Zinc International Industrial Park, which can accommodate 200 new enterprises, will supply infrastructure, raw materials, water, and energy, greatly boosting MSMEs and downstream industries. In addition, Vedanta is establishing the first phosphate fertiliser plant in North India in Rajasthan, which is a significant step in creating a “Green Rajasthan”.

Vedanta has made approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore in investments in Rajasthan under Chairman Anil Agarwal’s direction, creating thousands of jobs and giving the national and state exchequers close to Rs 3 lakh crore in the last ten years. He continued by saying that production has multiplied tenfold since acquiring Hindustan Zinc, and India is now a producer of silver rather than an importer. “Rajasthan has not only provided me with opportunities, but it has also moulded my identity,” he continued. It always feels like home when I return here. I think Rajasthan will play an even bigger role in financial services, technology, and energy in the future. He emphasised that the state had more than 40 types of top-quality stones that can be polished, processed, and shipped to markets throughout the world.

Anil Agarwal is emotionally and financially connected to Rajasthan. In order to support MSMEs, Vedanta revitalised Hindustan Zinc, reopened a number of closed mines, and is building India’s first contemporary Zinc Park.

Vedanta’s continued investments and possibilities in Rajasthan were praised by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. Recalling Anil Agarwal’s conviction that young people can work with investments between Rs 2 crore and Rs 100 crore, he stated that the government is giving young entrepreneurs the chance to establish enterprises. He urged kids to become job creators rather than job seekers, saying that “skill development will generate employment for youth through small and large industries.”

With operations mostly in Rajasthan, Vedanta is the largest private oil producer in India through Cairn, and its firm Hindustan Zinc is the biggest producer of zinc, lead, and silver in the nation. The state’s self-certification and single-window mechanisms, the chief minister continued, guarantee quick and clear approvals for investors.

In his remarks on social development, Anil Agarwal emphasised the efforts of Vedanta and the Anil Agarwal Foundation in creating 25,000 Nand Ghars and enhancing the education and nutrition of women and children using the Anganwadi model. He pointed out that over 25,000 children have received high-quality education from Vedanta School in Bharatpur and Gurukul Public School in Ringas, while Vedanta Girls PG College in Ringas has taught over 50,000 students in 30 years. He boasted that the first women-led rescue squad in India was established by young women here and has since become a model for the rest of the country. Girls are working underground at the Dariba mine, increasing productivity by up to 30%.

Regarding Rajasthan’s potential, Agarwal stated that the state might become India’s future energy hub due to its wealth of minerals, renewable energy, and oil and gas. Vedanta’s production and investment ambitions are growing quickly because of the state’s proactive measures and robust Ease of Doing Business rules. In order to establish Rajasthan as a worldwide event hub, he also underlined the necessity of big hotels, conference centres, and international event venues.

“Rajasthan’s sand may be soft, but its people have the courage of rock,” he said, inviting the state’s young businesspeople and the international Rajasthani community to join this growth journey. The state has produced some of the best experts and business leaders in the country; I hope they will now support the advancement of its young people.