Ratan Tata says will invest in Tripura to support its development

Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata, who visited Tripura recently, has said that the state has great potential, and has not received the recognition it deserves.

He promised that the the Tata Group will come forward with investments and industries to support for the state's development.

"We have been greatly impressed by what one can do in a state like Tripura. It's very refreshing from what you see in the overcrowded parts of the country. I have assured the chief minister that I will go back to Mumbai with a view to see how in fact, we can with whatever little experience I may have, to bring in terms of ideas, or, how we can establish industries in Tripura that can use important natural resources," said Tata.

He, however, did not declare the amount to be invested by the Tata Group. All he said was that the focus would be on value addition to various available resources within the state for a holistic development of the region and its people.

He assured that his company will not be exploitative, and stand as partner to see prosperity of the state as well as the nation.

On the occasion of his visit, the Tata Trust and the Government of Tripura signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be strategic partners in expediting socio-economic development initiative in the state on Thursday.

The joint initiative intends to implement interventions in the field of dairy development, fisheries, skill development, education, nutrition and health, for improvement in the quality of life of the people of the state.

The MoU was signed by Tripura Principal Secretary K Rajeshwar Rao and Executive Trustee of Tata Trusts R Venkataramanan in the presence of Ratan Tata, Manik Sarkar and other officials from both sides.

Later, a joint press conference was addressed by Manik Sarkar and Ratan Tata.

"Today is a very eventful day for us, because a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Government of Tripura and the Tata Trust. The MoU has been signed between our departments like fishery, agriculture, education and industries with view to undertake some philanthropic activities so that the quality of the life of the people can be upgraded," said Sarkar.

Ratan Tata said: "We have embarked on a partnership with a view to convey in our minds philanthropy, which today is no longer about providing charity. It is being a partner with recipient to raise the quality of life, to create prosperity not by being exploitive, not by taking natural resource or assets from here and developing from outside but creating livelihood for people we are working with a view to make a difference and to increase the dignity and self-respect of the community with whom we work. It is with this we have started the ventures that the chief minister has mentioned."

He promised that very soon he will be coming back to the state with investment and industrial sector for development of the state by utilizing the resources and creating employment for the youths of the state.