Invest Karnataka 2016: Backstage, babus fix GIM nuts and bolts

BENGALURU: Behind the glitz of Invest Karnataka 2016 is a group of IAS officials, working tirelessly behind the scenes to en sure the event goes off with clockwork precision. It is their big test in catapulting Karnataka to the next or bit of growth, by attracting adequate investments.
Though unseen, the re sults of their work -powered by years of experience in various fields -will be seen in every facet of the three-day event.
The responsibility for ensuring the success of this meet sits heavy on the shoulders of new chief secretary Arvind Jadhav, but the nitty-gritty of organizing the mega event rests in the hands of woman IAS officer K Ratna Prabha, who has been working since November 2015 to make the Invest Karnataka platform a success.
“I had blocked out time for personal or family commitments for the past three months and would think about the event every waking moment.I just hope everything goes well and we accomplish our vision of getting the maximum number of genuine investors to the state,'' said Prabha, additional chief secretary, department of commerce and industries.
She was backed by Gaurav Gupta, commissioner for industrial development and director of industries & commerce. He was the one who urged the Karnataka government to go for realistic investments rather than just signing MoUs, as had happened during the two previous editions of GIM, held under the BJP`s tenure, and stopped Karnataka from offering incentives.
A team of 8-10 IAS officials is also shaping the investment meet by joining forces and using their expertise to ensure such big-ticket events do not descend into chaos. The team includes G Latha Krishna Rau, ISN Prasad, Pradeep Singh Kharola, EV Ramanareddy , M Maheshwar Rao, Rajkumar Khatri and Naveen Raj Singh.
BMTC MD Ekroop Caur is in charge of food arrangements for the guests.