HELD ON: 20TH JULY 2007
CHIEF GUEST: SHRI THAKUR, HON’BLE DIGNITAR
the year 2007, the Council for Industrial and Trade Development (CITD) had the esteemed privilege of a courtesy meeting with Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, the then Hon’ble Union Minister of Power, Government of India. This meeting marked yet another milestone in CITD’s continuous journey of engaging with visionary national leaders to further the cause of industrial modernization, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth across the country.
In conclusion, the 2006 courtesy meeting with Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power, stands as a memorable chapter in CITD’s history. It underscored the importance of aligning industrial advancement with energy sustainability, and of building meaningful partnerships between government and institutions working on the ground. With Shri Shinde’s support and encouragement, CITD’s mission to contribute to India’s self-reliant, energy-secure, and industrially vibrant future gained renewed momentum and clarity.
The interaction with Shri Shinde came at a critical juncture, when India was witnessing rapid industrial expansion and an increasing demand for reliable, efficient, and sustainable power infrastructure. As the Union Minister of Power, Shri Shinde played a pivotal role in shaping national energy policies and championing reforms aimed at improving access to electricity and boosting industrial productivity. His insights and leadership in this area made the meeting both timely and impactful for CITD’s strategic objectives.
During the course of the meeting, key discussions revolved around the intersection of industrial development and energy infrastructure, with a special emphasis on how power availability acts as a foundation for economic progress. Shri Shinde emphasized the importance of investing in renewable energy, modernizing power distribution systems, and ensuring energy security to support India’s vision of inclusive growth. His forward-thinking approach resonated with CITD’s belief in building a future-ready industrial ecosystem.
Shri Shinde also expressed his appreciation for CITD’s initiatives in promoting sustainable industrial practices, skill development, and technical education. He acknowledged CITD’s vital role in empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encouraging local entrepreneurship, and fostering technological innovation. He highlighted the need for institutions like CITD to continue serving as a bridge between government policies and ground-level implementation in the industrial sector.
A key takeaway from the meeting was Shri Shinde’s focus on the importance of energy efficiency in industrial operations. He encouraged CITD to develop specialized training modules, awareness programs, and collaborative projects to educate industries about sustainable energy usage, waste reduction, and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes. This aligned well with CITD’s long-term mission to integrate sustainability into the core of industrial development.
Furthermore, the Hon’ble Minister emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in addressing infrastructural challenges and delivering large-scale impact. He encouraged CITD to deepen its collaborations with government departments, energy agencies, academic institutions, and private sector players to co-create solutions that would benefit both industry and society. This guidance laid the foundation for several of CITD’s later initiatives in energy-conscious industrial training and policy advocacy.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for CITD to present its achievements, ongoing programs, and future plans. Shri Shinde’s words of encouragement served as a major morale booster for the organization, reaffirming its relevance in the national development landscape. His support validated CITD’s multi-pronged approach of combining technical training, industrial consultancy, innovation incubation, and policy engagement.
In the aftermath of this meaningful engagement, CITD intensified its efforts to support energy-smart manufacturing practices, especially within the MSME sector. Workshops, seminars, and capacity-building programs were introduced to raise awareness about clean energy adoption, power management, and green manufacturing techniques. These initiatives directly reflected the influence of Shri Shinde’s guidance and the Ministry’s broader vision for a sustainable industrial future.
In conclusion, the 2006 courtesy meeting with Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power, stands as a memorable chapter in CITD’s history. It underscored the importance of aligning industrial advancement with energy sustainability, and of building meaningful partnerships between government and institutions working on the ground. With Shri Shinde’s support and encouragement, CITD’s mission to contribute to India’s self-reliant, energy-secure, and industrially vibrant future gained renewed momentum and clarity.