When PM Modi Brought Nano to Gujarat with an 'Welcome' SMS to Ratan Tata

New Delhi: 'Welcome', a simple one-word SMS from former Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to then-Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata  led to shifting the Tata Nano project from West Bengal to Gujarat way back in 2008. 

Modi had sent the SMS to Tata when the industrialist was addressing a press conference in Kolkata announcing the exit of the Tata Nano project from West Bengal after violent protests led by Trinamool Congress ( TMC ) chief Mamata Banerjee .

"When Ratan Tata said in a press conference in Kolkata that they are leaving West Bengal, I sent him a short SMS saying 'welcome'. And now you can see what a Re 1 (worth) SMS can do," Modi had said inaugurating the Tata Nano plant at Sanand in 2010 built at an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.

On October 3, 2008, Tata Motors announced that it would be moving its Nano car project out of West Bengal. They stated that the new plant would be established in Sanand, Gujarat , within just four days.

At that time, Narendra Modi , who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat , mentioned that many countries were eager to assist with the Nano project. He assured that the Gujarat government would do everything possible to keep the project in India. Modi praised the efficiency of the government officials, saying that they were matching the standards of corporate culture and significantly contributing to the rapid development of the state.

When the first Nano car rolled off the production line in Sanand in June 2010, Tata Motors recognized the support they received from the Gujarat government under Modi's leadership in setting up the new facility.

"When we searched for another Nano plant, we wanted to move to peace and harmony. Gujarat stood out against all others in guaranteeing us all that we needed. 'It was not just Tata's project, it is our project', Modi told us. We owe a great lot of gratitude for the support and confidence placed in us," Tata said.

Tata discontinued the production of Nano cars in 2018. 

(With PTI inputs)