Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 1 May 2025 used Gujarat Foundation Day to lay out an ambitious industrial roadmap for the state, pledging to make Gujarat a global leader in green energy and semiconductors as part of a broader vision of driving India's next phase of economic growth. Addressing Gujaratis in India and abroad, Patel framed the occasion as both a celebration of identity and a call to collective action.

Gujarat as India's Growth Engine

Positioning the state within the national development narrative, CM Patel invoked the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — himself a son of Gujarat — as a guiding force. "Today, as India is reaching new heights of development, under the guidance of the son of this soil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our Gujarat has remained at the forefront as the growth engine of the nation," he said.

Patel underscored that Gujarat's rise was not incidental but rooted in decades of governance, enterprise, and the sacrifices of historical figures who shaped the state's character.

Future Priorities: Semiconductors and Green Energy

The Chief Minister outlined a forward-looking industrial strategy centred on emerging and future-oriented technologies. "From green energy to semiconductors and other future-oriented technologies, Gujarat will emerge as a guiding force of a new India," Patel said, signalling a deliberate pivot beyond the state's traditional strengths in petrochemicals and textiles.

This comes amid India's broader push to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem, with the Centre having approved several chip fabrication projects in recent years. Gujarat has already emerged as a key destination for renewable energy investment, with large-scale solar and wind installations along its coastline and the Dholera Special Investment Region positioned as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

Historical Foundations and Leaders Acknowledged

Reflecting on the state's 65-year journey since its formation on 1 May 1960 — following the bifurcation of the erstwhile Bombay State on linguistic grounds — Patel paid tribute to the leaders and reformers who shaped Gujarat's trajectory. "With the blessings of revered Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Saheb, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Shyamji Krishna Varma, and inspiration and guidance from great personalities such as Pujya Ravishankar Maharaj, Induchacha, and many others, along with the continuous hard work of the people, Gujarat began its journey of development," he said.

He called the day "an occasion to acknowledge the debt owed to all of them," framing Foundation Day as a moment of both reflection and renewed resolve.

Deputy CM Sanghavi's Greetings

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also extended greetings, expressing deep personal pride in the state. "Gujarat is my birthplace, Gujarat is my identity, Gujarat is my pride, Gujarat is my everything!" he said. Sanghavi added, "Blessed is this land, Gujarat is my motherland, I am deeply proud of it," and extended his wishes to Gujaratis living across the world.

State Celebrations in Surat

State-level Foundation Day celebrations were scheduled to be held in Surat, featuring official ceremonies and cultural programmes. Patel closed his message with a call for collective resolve: "Let us all Gujaratis together resolve to realise the vision of 'Developed Gujarat to Developed India'. With collective efforts and people's participation, let us take Gujarat to such heights of development that it becomes a symbol of pride for generations to come." With semiconductors and green energy now firmly on Gujarat's policy agenda, the state's next chapter will be closely watched by investors and policymakers alike.