Mumbai: India’s industrial growth narrative received a significant boost at the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025 with Shree Cement Chairman H.M. Bangur formally handing over a Letter of Intent (LoI) to invest ₹2,000 crore in Maharashtra to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The announcement underscored growing corporate confidence in Maharashtra’s industrial ecosystem and India’s long-term economic trajectory.
The investment commitment was made during the inaugural session of WHEF 2025, which brought together political leadership, industry stalwarts, policymakers, startup founders, and investors. The session was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Swami Vigyananand, Founder of the World Hindu Economic Forum, and Rajesh Sharma, Chairman of the WHEF Organising Committee. Leading industrialists present included H.M. Bangur of Shree Cement and Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of the JSW Group.
Addressing the gathering, Bangur highlighted India’s intrinsic economic strengths, asserting that the country possesses sufficient talent, natural resources, and technological capability to lead global growth without external dependence. He emphasised that Indian economic thinking is rooted in ethical balance, noting that in the Indian tradition, artha (wealth) is guided by dharma (responsibility). Profit, he said, must be pursued alongside social and environmental accountability.
Bangur also stressed the need for a shift in educational and intellectual frameworks to encourage innovation grounded in India’s civilisational values. Reflecting on history, he noted that India once accounted for nearly 30 per cent of the global economy and argued that platforms such as WHEF are essential to rediscover and adapt indigenous economic philosophies for modern times.
On the operational front, Bangur shared insights from Shree Cement’s technological innovations in energy efficiency. He explained how the company’s engineers successfully modified power plant operations to function efficiently at lower capacity utilisation levels—around 30 per cent instead of the conventional 60 per cent—significantly reducing coal consumption and improving sustainability. The innovation, he noted, drew attention from the Union Ministry of Power, underscoring the commercial and environmental value of indigenous innovation.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described WHEF as an important platform for collaboration between industry, government and thought leaders. He said Maharashtra remains committed to fostering an investment-friendly environment and believes that India’s economic model is deeply influenced by a philosophical framework that promotes prosperity alongside social harmony.
Speaking on the sidelines, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted India’s expanding global influence under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the critical role of states in driving growth. He noted that Madhya Pradesh has attracted investment commitments worth ₹8.5 lakh crore, with strong momentum in mining, energy, tourism, and religious tourism.
The opening day of WHEF 2025 set the tone for discussions on ethical capitalism, innovation-led growth and India’s emergence as a major global economic force.
