BIG Mission 2011

Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, and with an estimated population of about 13 million, it is the largest metropolis in India and one of the world’s most populous cities. With a population of 19 million, the Mumbai Metropolitan area is also the world’s 5th most populated. Located on the west coast, the city has a deep natural harbor and handles over half of India’s passenger traffic and significant amounts of cargo. It is the commercial & entertainment capital of India and houses key institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), and the corporate headquarters of many Indian companies. Mumbai attracts migrants from all over India because of the immense employment opportunities and the relatively high standard of living, but many end up living in shanties. The city is home to India’s Hindi film & TV industry, known as Bollywood. Mumbai also has a national park within its city limits.

Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, is the 8th largest metropolis in India, with a population of over 5.41 million. It is also the fastest-growing city in India. The city is the administrative center of the state and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960–70, when the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar. Ahmedabad was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate and was named after him. Under the British, a military cantonment was established, & the city infrastructure was modernized and expanded. Though incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during British rule, Ahmedabad remained a key city in the Gujarat region. The city established itself as the home of a booming textile industry, earning it the nickname “Manchester of the East.” With the creation of Gujarat in 1960, Ahmedabad gained prominence as the commercial capital of the state and is witnessing a major construction & population boom. A rising center in education, IT, and scientific industries, Gujarat remains the cultural & commercial heart of Gujarat and much of western India.

New Delhi is the capital city of the Republic of India. Situated within the metropolis of Delhi, New Delhi was planned by Edwin Lutyens, a leading 20th-century British architect. It is the seat of the Government of India and the Government of the NCR (National Capital Region) of Delhi. Connaught Place, one of northern India’s largest commercial and financial centers, is located in the heart of New Delhi. With an estimated net state domestic product (SDP) of 83,085 crores (INR 830.85 billion), Delhi is an important commercial center in South Asia. Delhi has a per capita income of 53,976 INR.