Davos 2018 highlights: Shah Rukh Khan says acid attack victims need solidarity, not sympathy

Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to address the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos on Tuesday during which he talked about “serious” challenges and “grave concerns” facing the world, including terrorism.

Climate change and terrorism are grave concerns before the world, Modi said, while asserting that terrorism is dangerous but what is equally dangerous is the “artificial distinction” made between ‘good terrorist’ and ‘bad terrorist’.

Later in the dayy, Shah Rukh Khan spoke on creating change in India through women’s empowerment.

Here are the highlights:

9pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a group of Indian CEOs at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Tuesday, as India presented a collective pitch for showcasing the growth story of the country.

8.05pm: Equality is not a man-made criteria. We are just peddling it as a product. Equality is given to us by nature, we are all born equal: Shah Rukh Khan at Davos.

8pm: I have known women who work really hard, come before time on the movie sets and it is sad that they do not get the recognition they deserve. I want to be a woman when I grow up, says Shah Rukh Khan.

7.52pm: PM Modi has brought positive changes for betterment of women in the country with schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, end of Triple Talaq: Shah Rukh Khan.

7.50pm: Only thing women want are not to be defined, highest form of equality is to let women be women. Differences between genders will soon crack, says Shah Rukh Khan.

7.46pm: Responding to a question about what it meant to be a recipient of Crystal Award, Shah Rukh said, “I would be very honest about it, I love awards. You know movie stars are supposed to be narcissists, they are supposed to be self-obsessed, and I am as a matter of fact, quite greedy for them.”

7.42pm: Women and acid attack victims don’t need our charity or sympathy, they only need our solidarity: Shah Rukh Khan.

7.35pm: Shah Rukh Khan is in conversation with British broadcaster Tania Bryer. The topic of the session is ‘creating change in India through women’s empowerment’.

6.50pm:

6.10pm: Globalisation is losing its lustre, PM Modi said at the Davos summit. Read the full story here.

6pm:

5.30pm: Devendra Fadnavis, CM of Maharashtra on Modi’s speech: It wasn’t speech of a political leader but that of a statesman, a global leader. He also talked about what India is doing. He gave a message that we are here not only to speak but what we speak is transformed into action.

5.08pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi responds to PM Narendra Modi’s speech: “Welcome to Switzerland! Please tell DAVOS why 1% of India’s population gets 73% of its wealth?”

Gandhi was referring to a recent article on an Oxfam study that said the richest 1% in India cornered 73% of the wealth generated in the country last year, presenting a worrying picture of rising income inequality.

5.07pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in Davos

5.01pm: “PM spoke as a global statesman speaks not only about India but also globalisation and larger issues of climate change and terrorism. Yes he spoke about reforms, the world is going inward and India is globalising and is ready for business: Rajan Mittal, VC & MD of Bharti Enterprises.

5pm: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Davos: “It was a very enthusiastic speech, PM talked about how Indian ethos can be a global role model in today’s conflicting times.”

4.50pm: Narendra Modi ends his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

4.49pm: India and Indians consider the entire world their family: Narendra Modi.

4.47pm: If you want wellness with wealth, come to India. If you want health and wholeness of life, come to India. If you want prosperity and peace, come to India. You are always welcome: PM Modi

4.45pm: In India democracy, demography and dynamism are giving shape to development and destiny: PM Modi.

4.43pm: India has sent the most number of UN peacekeeping forces. This is because we have always been willing to help other nations: Narendra Modi.

4.42pm: Change in India’s ranking is an indicator that the people in India have warmly welcomed the change in policies as the road to a better future for them: PM Modi.

4.38pm: We in India are proud of our democracy and diversity. For a society with diverse religions, cultures, languages, attires and cuisines, democracy is not just a political system but a way of living: Narendra Modi.

4.36pm: In 2014 after 30 years, the 60 crore Indians provided complete majority to any political party to form govt at the centre. We took the resolution for the development of everyone and not just a specific group. Our motto is ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, says PM Modi.

4.32pm: We have revolutionised our economic and social policies. The route we have chosen is: reform, perform, transform, says PM Modi.

4.28pm: PM Modi lists out the three biggest challenges that the world is facing today: Climate change; Nations distinguishing between good and bad terrorism; Nations becoming self-centered.

4.24pm: Terrorism is a big threat but an even bigger threat is when you give definitions like good terrorism and bad terrorism, Narendra Modi at WEF 2018.

4.21pm:

4.18pm: Climate change is huge threat right now, Snow in the Arctic is melting,many islands are sinking or are about to sink: PM Modi.

4.17pm: The three major challenges that the world is facing today. Climate change is one of them, says Narendra Modi.

4.16pm: There are fast-moving economical and political changes in the world. Issues of peace, security and stability have emerged as serious global challenges: PM Modi.

4.15pm: India has always believed in values of integration and unity, ‘Vasudhev Kutumbakam’ which means the entire world is one family. It is relevant to bridge distances: PM Modi.

4.13pm: This year the topic here is ‘Creating a shared future in a fractured world’. New powers are changing the balance between Economic & Political strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world. World is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability and security: Narendra Modi.

4.09pm: How can we eliminate rifts between international communities and work towards a future where the world is united, ponders PM Modi.

4.06pm: Modi says that there is a race to control the mountains of data on the internet today. Because everybody knows that he who controls data will dominate the future.

4.01pm: Last time an Indian PM came to Davos was in 1997, when Deve Gowda ji had come. That time our GDP was little more than 400 billion dollars. It has grown six-fold since then: PM Modi.

4pm: PM Modi commends Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.

3.55pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his keynote speech and he said that he looks forward to sharing his vision for India’s future engagement with the international community.

3.40pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly address the plenary session of the 48th edition of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland.

3:25pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President of Switzerland Alain Berset and Professor Klaus Schwab (executive chairman of the World Economic Forum).

3:11pm: Lagarde says IMF research has showed that raising women’s participation in the workforce to the level of men can boost Indian economy by 27%. 

3:10pm: Addressing a press conference as part of the all women co-chairs, IMF chief Christine Lagarde says India must continue with reforms especially in the financial services sector and should urgently focus on broad- based and true inclusion of women in its economy.

2:50pm: “Spoke on India’s role in shaping the transition to alternative energy sources and partnering on energy solutions to meet climate targets at @WEF in @Davos, Switzerland,” tweets Piyush Goyal.

2:20pm: Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan says the Western world must realise they cannot go a long way without the help of the emerging economies. He says that no one would be able to resolve any problem of a ‘fractured world’ if things are not set right soon. Rajan was speaking at a session in Davos on the power of economic narratives and how policymakers can address the challenges of the 21st century.

2:10pm: US President Donald Trump will travel to Davos as planned this week for a meeting of elites from the worlds of politics and business, after the Senate reached a compromise deal to end a government shutdown, says the White House.

1:45pm: India has climbed one spot to become the fifth most attractive market for investments and business optimism is at record high levels globally even as cybersecurity and climate change have become areas of concern for CEOs, says the annual global CEO survey by consultancy giant PwC, released at the WEF annual meeting.

1:15pm: Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will participate in the forum from Wednesday where he will project Pakistan as a prime destination for business, investment and trade.

12:59pm: The next World Economic Forum Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution is being proposed to be set up in Mumbai, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis says.

12:55pm: “India will play an important role in tackling the prevailing tensions in the world and India’s role would certainly be recognised at platforms like the World Economic Forum in Davos. The message to the world is to look towards India and to think about investing in India,” Piyush Goyal tells PTI.

12:50pm: “There is a huge appetite for continuous surge in foreign investments in India with no comparable opportunity available worldwide,” Union minister Piyush Goyal tells PTI, on the sidelines of the WEF. “Going forward, India’s role in the world economy, in the social tensions and in the fight against terrorism and climate change is only going to grow.”

11:10am: The 3,000-odd delegates include 70 world leaders: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first of the week’s keynote speakers on Tuesday. The overarching theme this year is “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World”.

11:00am: Davos is shorthand for the World Economic Forum (WEF) and has become an annual jamboree where the global elite -- joined by intellectuals, activists, celebrities and sometimes protestors -- debate the world’s problems.

10:30am: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is later due to address the Davos crowd, which is gathering in unusually heavy snowfall.

10:15am: A total of eleven roundtables will be organised by Invest India’ and CII with existing and potential investors during the WEF.

10:00am: The Prime Minister will address the Inaugural Plenary Session at 11:00am (3:30pm IST).

9:30am: Chief executives are more optimistic about the economic outlook than they have been for many years although anxieties are rising about geopolitics, cyber threats and terrorism, a survey shows on the eve of the WEF.

9:00am:

8:45am: Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years.

8:30am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, early on Tuesday morning, tells CEOs that India means business and presents exciting opportunity for the global businesses. Addressing a roundtable before a dinner meet, Modi narrates India’s growth story.