The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at AMA, Ahmedabad as a symbol of ease and modernity of India-Japan relationship.
Pointing to the similarities between ‘Zen’ and Indian ‘Dhyan’, the Prime Minister dwelt on the emphasis on inner peace along with outer progress and growth in the two cultures. Similarly, the Prime Minister highlighted both external and internal meanings of Kaizen which not only emphasizes ‘improvement’ but ‘continuous improvement’.
The Prime Minister talked of Japan’s enthusiastic participation in the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Summit’ over the years. He said more than 135 companies, ranging from automobile, banking to construction and pharma, have made Gujarat their base. Companies like Suzuki Motors, Honda Motorcycle, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Hitachi are involved in manufacturing in Gujarat. They are contributing skill development of the local youth.
Also read: Japan rushes hundreds of ventilators to showcase special ties with India
Three Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing are giving skill training to hundreds of youth in the state with tie-ups with technical universities and IITs. Furthermore, JETRO’s Ahmedabad Business Support Centre is providing a plug and play work-space facility to up to five companies simultaneously. Many Japanese companies are being benefited by this.
Golf takes off
Interestingly, the Prime Minister recalled that as a matter of paying attention to the minute details, he made special efforts to improve golf facilities in Gujarat when, in an informal discussion, he realized that Japanese people love golf. At that time, Golf courses were not very common in Gujarat. Today there are many golf courses in Gujarat. Similarly, there is spread of Japanese restaurants and Japanese language in Gujarat, informed the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also expressed a desire to create a model of schools in Gujarat based on the school system of Japan. He underlined his appreciation of the blend of modernity and moral values in the school system of Japan. He remembered fondly his visit to Taimei Elementary School in Tokyo.
Also read: India, Japan to step up work to link North East region with Indo-Pacific
PM Modi thanked leaders of Hyōgo Prefecture, especially the Governor ToshizōIdoand Hyōgo International association, for their contribution in the establishment of the Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy. He also praised the Indo-Japan friendship association of Gujarat for giving new energy to India-Japan relations.
Indians will find the glimpse of the same peace, poise and simplicity in this Zen garden, which they experienced in Yoga through the ages. Buddha gave this ‘Dhyan’ as enlightenment to the world, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister recalled that as Chief Minister, he implemented Kaizen in the Gujarat administration. It was introduced in administrative training in Gujarat in 2004 and a special training camp was organized for the top civil servants in 2005. ‘Continuous improvement’ was reflected in refinement of processes, leading to a positive impact on governance.
Continuing with the importance of governance in national progress, the Prime Minister informed that, after becoming Prime Minister, he brought Kaizen related experience of Gujarat to PMO and other Central Government departments. This has led to simplification of the processes and optimization of office space. Kaizen is being used in many departments, institutions and schemes of the Central Government, said the Prime Minister.
