Gujaratis always at the forefront of enterprise and growth; Nothing to do with Narendra Modi

Gujarat's Economic Journey in brief:

• Since its creation on 1st May 1960, Gujarat has been among the leading states in India
• It is also one of the first industrialized states in the country throughout 80s, 90s and 21st century
• Its per capita GDP has always been one of the highest in India
• Gujaratis are and have always been among the most enterprising merchant-industrialists thriving in India and across the world. 
• When Indian economy liberalized in 1991, anyone with elementary knowledge of economics understands that the state with more entrepreneurs and merchants will thrive even more.
• To attribute this success to Narendra Modi is nothing but falling prey to propaganda that overhypes and plays up growth indicators with hyperboles.
• And when a Gujarati living in Gujarat himself attributes this to Narendra Modi, he is like a gullible person who attributes the fruits of his own hard work and innovation to Modi just like historically some laborers worked the farm but attributed the yield to their feudal lord as their messiah.
• Having talked of Guajarat's high points, lets be sure to understand that Gujarat was not and is not the #1 state on any economic indicator and never ever was a #1 state in any human development index. It is among top rankers but not top ranked.
• In 2002, since businesses were already thriving, what one would have liked to see under Modi is improvement on human development indices and reduction in ecological damage.
• On the contrary, small and medium scale industrialists are suffering while Gautam Adani is thriving.
• As for ecology, that debate has not even begun in India yet for the educated middle class. wait a minute? So, are we really educated because our debate is just like illiterate?

My personal journey in Gujarati company:

• Although Gujju entrepreneurship can be verified by statistics and social observations, I can also vouch for it personally as I grew up with 89 Gujju/Jains among 90 students in a fine hostel in Pune where the air wafted with the smell of Thepla-Khakra every evening and every morning dawned with a plate full of fresh Mug-Puri. 
• In far flung North-East, I have met with Gujarati and Marwari Jain merchants running little stores and made friends with Gujju industrialist families from as south as Chennai. More recently, on an amazing safari to Tanzanian wildlife parks, I closely got to know a Bohri Gujju CEO of the professional tour company I traveled with. Gujjus contribution to Mumbai's economy is not secret. 
• I have broken into impromptu gig and danced to Garba music and Gujju girlfriend/wife's tunes all for a decade now. 
• Two of my favorite political idols are Gandhi and Patel, both Gujaratis and my inspiration for continuing public policy work despite the air of despair and apathy around me. 
• I have about 25 friends whom I depend on emotionally. At least 20 of them are either Gujaratis or Marwari Jains. For someone who has resolved to dedicate his life to nation building, there are many dark and grim days full of melancholy and depression. These friends are my pillar of support and I am proud to say so many of them are Gujaratis. 
• I hope this note serves as a clarification to those who react as if I am against Gujaratis whenever I write something against Modi. I am Pro-Gujarati and Anti-Modi. Yes, that's possible.

Statistical Proof:

The above text is deliberately personal rather than scholarly but those who prefer academic evidence, Please refer to this Outlook Article