Bhopal: When the heart glows

Sliced out as a state on November 1 in 1956, Madhya Pradesh, at the heart of India, is all set to move up several notches on the development front

Sliced out as a state on November 1 in 1956, Madhya Pradesh, at the heart of India, is all set to move up several notches on the development front with strong impetus on welfare, education, roads, power, industry and tourism to ring in what Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan describes as the golden era of the state.

"The optimism is infectious and all over the place, from the political and industrial hubs of Bhopal and Indore to last mile villages, far from the madding crowds and swank retail facilities that are beginning to come up across the state," says part-time filmmaker and full-time entrepreneur Nasir Ali.

The various government sectors are also smitten by the recent soar of the development graph, inbound domestic tourists to the state recorded a colossal jump making Madhya Pradesh the fifth most sought after destination for visitors from within the country.

Sailing through: SAIL Chairman SK Roongta announcing the company's financial results for Q2 of FY'10 at Ispat Bhavan in New Delhi.

Once considered retirement havens, real estate markets in the state are booming, despite the slump in the markets elsewhere. The new residences on the market are a far cry from the plain flats, earlier associated with these parts, and come equipped with plush fixtures and amenities, at a fraction of the cost compared to metropolitan centres.

Today, the state capital Bhopal comes alive with an eight day celebration marking the 53rd foundation day of the state, having risen from the shambles in less than five years Madhya Pradesh has every reason to celebrate its birthday this year. (The writer is editor