Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi today announced prizes for the most developed villages in the state to mark the state's golden jubilee celebration.

He said it is to create healthy competition among 18,000 villages. He called on the sarpanchs to take the leadership of building new village. He wished every village and town break new records of 50 years' development and set new benchmark in rural uplift.

Addressing the sarpanchs from 2,200 villages who arrived for the 'abhishek' of Mahatma Mandir here with 'kalash' full of soil and water from their respective villages, Shri Modi said the Mandir would implement the Mahatma's ideals of 'Gramraj to Ramrajya'.

He said that Krishi Mahotsav, Kanya Kelavni Yatra, Van Mahotsav, drip irrigation, dietary supplements to fight malnutrition were all directed towards rural uplift.

The Chief Minister exuded confidence that in case each citizen of the state resolves to do something good for the state and the nation, no power in the world could derail Gujarat from its path of progress.

In another development, Shri Modi decided to be physically present at the Mandir's 'abhishek' every day through all the 14 days as far as possible. Today was the fifth day of the event.