Ficci decks up for platinum jubilee bash

New Delhi, Dec 7: The Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has drawn up plans for a five-day programme to mark its platinum jubilee celebrations with its 75th annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled for December 13.

Ficci’s annual meeting will see host of speakers addressing special sessions to discuss issues like in-house research and development in industry, agro-processing and water harnessing, business with central and east Europe, labour, issues on World Trade Organisation, Kashmir, and young leadership.

Ficci secretary-general Amit Mitra told newspersons here today, “The basic theme of our programme is unleashing India’s true potential.” The platinum jubilee celebration will provide a platform for interaction amongst the most sort out ministers, industrialists and media personalities for an enriching interface.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will address the AGM and present awards on the last day (December 13). The award session will be chaired by Justice Leela Seth. This is the first exclusive programme organised by Ficci which the Prime Minister will attend. However, Vajpayee has addressed two other sessions earlier, which were jointly organised by the chamber and different ministries of the government. Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Opposition, has also been invited by Ficci to address one of the sessions.

A. C. Muthiah will formally takeover as the new president of Ficci replacing R. S. Lodha.

On the occasion of its platinum jubliee, Ficci is coming out with a commemorative volume encapsuling 75 years of growth and change. It will highlight the early chapter of genesis comprising the 24 prominent names who formed Ficci.

Another book will be released which will speak on unleashing India’s true potential. The book has articles written by CEOs of 10 companies from different sectors.

The ministers slated to speak on the platinum jubliee occasion include Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Union disinvestment minister Arun Shourie, Union HRD, science and technology minister Murli Manohar Joshi, minister of state for external affairs, Omar Abdullah, Union labour minister Sahib Singh Verma, minister of state for food processing industries, N. T. Shanmugam, minister of state for commerce and industry, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and minister of state for science and technology, B. S. Rawat.

Other eminent personalities addressing seminars include, K. C. Pant, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Deepak Puri, chairman and MD of Moser Baer (India), Onkar S Kanwar, CMD of Apollo Tyres, Jyotiraditya Scindia, member of Parliament, Vijay Mallya, chairman of the UB group, Sunil Kumar Alagh, MD and CEO, Britannia Industries, and fashion designer Rohit Bal.