Indore, Madhya Pradesh - In an electrifying display of urban brilliance, The Clean City Indore has seized the coveted crown as the nation's unrivaled Smart City, while Madhya Pradesh has been proudly hailed as the 'Best State' at the prestigious Indian Smart Cities Conclave 2023, a dazzling spectacle that unfolded against the backdrop of Indore's enchanting landscapes.

In a glittering ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu, bedecked in resplendent regalia, bestowed honor upon Member of Parliament from Indore, the indefatigable Shankar Lalwani, and the dynamic Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, encapsulating the city's remarkable journey towards smartness.

The Brilliant Convention Centre, where this two-day extravaganza unfolds, serves as the grand stage where President Murmu will sprinkle stardust by presenting a staggering 66 awards across diverse categories, showcasing the nation's ingenuity in the realm of smart cities.

Indore's victory extends beyond the apex podium; it ascends to dominance in the realms of sanitation, urban harmony, and water management, earning the city well-deserved accolades as a multifaceted luminary.

In the National Smart Cities category, Surat and Agra, two formidable contenders, secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Meanwhile, the Best State award saw an intense tussle for supremacy, with Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, locked in a spirited tie for the third position, while Tamil Nadu comfortably clinched the runner-up spot. Chandigarh shimmered as it pocketed the Best Union Territory Award.

Among the galaxy of luminaries attending this grand affair were Governor Mangubhai Patel, the indomitable Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the visionary Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, flanked by the stalwart ministers Bhupendra Yadav, Ashwini Vaishnav, and Kaushal Kishore, all united in celebration of this remarkable achievement.

CM Chouhan, in a moment of humility, acknowledged the heart and soul of Indore and Madhya Pradesh—the public. He declared, "Whatever Indore and MP have achieved is because of public participation."

Union Minister Hardeep Puri, eloquent and effusive in his praise, lauded Indore as an exemplar of urban evolution. He hailed the iconic 'Chappan Dukan' as Indore's pride and declared, "The Smart City project is pivotal in shaping India's destiny as a developed nation by 2047. I have witnessed no other project escalate in growth as swiftly as the Smart City initiative. Not even the tempest of Covid could dampen its relentless progress. Madhya Pradesh, crowned as the Best State in the India Smart Cities Awards, has set an unprecedented benchmark."

As the event drew to a spectacular close, CM Chouhan, in a heartwarming gesture, presented President Murmu with a resplendent Gond painting, a priceless token of Madhya Pradesh's rich cultural heritage.

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