The Hindu : `Steel king' to help set up Triple IT

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Monday, Apr 01, 2002

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`Steel king' to help set up Triple IT

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR MARCH 31. The UK-based ``steel king'', Laxmi Mittal, has promised to help Rajasthan in setting up the country's first Indian Institute of Information Technology in Jaipur. The Institute -- or ``Triple I-T'' as it is referred to in official circles here -- was a concept that originated in the first International Rajasthani Conclave (IRC) here in September 2000.

Mr. Mittal, a non-resident Rajasthani and one of the members of the governing body of the Rajasthan Foundation set up at the IRC, came to the help of the State after another entrepreneur, Mukesh Chatter, found it difficult to accomplish the task he had taken upon himself.

All members of the governing board, which include eminent personalities like L.N. Singhvi, Raj Singh Dungarpur, D.R. Mehta, Admiral B.S. Shekhawat, Mohan Maharishi besides Ram Niwas Mirdha, Nawal Kishore Sharma and Murli Deora attended the first meeting of the board, held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, on Thursday.

In the present arrangement a society would be formed to set up the Institute with an initial capital of Rs.30 crores to be contributed by the State Government and Mr. Mittal.

The State Government wants the proposed institute to acquire the quality and reputation of an IIT though the setting up of IITs is under the purview of the Centre. The State will contribute land for the institute while other details are to be worked out. ``I am happy with the outcome of the meeting,'' said Mr. Mittal, who was in Pink City with his wife and daughter for two days.

Mr. Mittal who has his roots in Rajgarh town of Churu district appreciated the Chief Minister for his sincerity of purpose and informal approach. ``You are an extraordinary Chief Minister,'' he reportedly told Mr. Gehlot at the end of the three-hour meeting.

The meeting decided to open chapters of the Foundation in various parts of the country and abroad. The non-resident members of the Foundation like Vinod Choudhary from Nepal and K.K. Mehta from New York were of the view that chapters of the Foundation would help create a regular dialogue between Rajasthanis outside the State and the people here. Chapters of the Foundation exist in Chennai and Coimbatore and new ones are proposed in Kolkatta, Guwahati and Bangalore.

Mr. Bajaj had a significant observation at the meeting in the context of the recent developments in neighboring Gujarat. According to him, Rajasthan should gear up to receive the industries that may soon be pulling out from Gujarat in the wake of the unrest and bloodshed there. ``The investors have lost their confidence in Gujarat. This is the time for Rajasthan to attract new investments,'' he pointed out.

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