Farooq Abdullah breaks 'roza' with Narendra Modi

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, was the chief guest at the launch of IIMA's Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE)'s Rs100 crore sustainable energy fund - INFUSE (Indian Fund for Sustainable Energy).

He emphasised the need for having such fund that could incubate ideas in green energy at a time the world has realised its potential and in establishing sustainable energy using solar, wind and other natural resources.

Within minutes of jovially conversing with Modi, the Kashmiri politician succinctly made his point. 

While concluding the speech, the minister charmed the audience.

"I would like to tell you, Ram is not temple Ram but Vishwa ka Ram. He is Modi's Ram and He is Farooq's Ram. Mera bhi Khuda hai, Modi ka bhi Khuda hai (Allah is mine and Modi's as well," he said, as chief minister Narendra Modi looked on at him without any change in expression. As the minister addressed the gathering emphasising on communal harmony, he said till the time India has this power nobody can harm and it will rise further.

Though the buzz in the crowd had already started about how Modi will respond, the CM did not bite the bait. Speaking in Hindi, Modi emphasised the achievements of Gujarat in the field of environment. Modi said Gujarat has emerged as global capital of solar energy. He emphasised on the requirement of research in the area and said Gujarat was in the process of developing world-class incubation centre.

Abdullah broke his roza at the iftar time on the dais itself and shared snacks with Modi. The CM appreciated the central minister's effort of coming to Ahmedabad during the month of Ramzan when he is fasting.

Abdullah mentioned a line in praise for Modi. Prof Samir Barua and Prof Rakesh Basant had also a word of appreciation for Modi in their speeches.

Chairperson of the CIIE, Prof Basant, said that INFUSE was the first of its kind private-public-academia partnership that would help start-ups.

Secretary (technology development board) HK Mittal said that the work of the fund would start as the research gets over.

"It is going to be a package - not only providing funds but also mentorship in marketing, pricing and other aspects," he said. The board is a partner in INFUSE.
Secretary (MNRE) Deepak Gupta and head of BP Ventures, Justin Adams, were present.