Bharat Mata ki Jai…!! Bharat Mata ki Jai…!!
My citizen brothers & sisters of Gujarat, from the land of lions of Gir, in the witness of the Indian tricolor flag, I wish you all from the bottom of my heart a very happy Independence Day!
Brothers and Sisters, the great leaders of this country, esteemed Bapu, esteemed Sardar Patel and the revolutionaries who sacrificed their youth and their entire life for freeing Mother India from the fetters of slavery so that we could savor the taste of freedom, these freedom fighters had seen many dreams. This country did get ‘Free State’, but unfortunately did not get ‘Good State’. Today, if there is any major challenge before this country, it is that of a ‘Good Governed State’. The atmosphere at the time of independence was such that everyone harnessed a strong patriotic feeling and every Indian was ready to do anything for the nation. At that point of time, if ever an effort was made to take India on the path of a Good Governed State, today India would have been named amongst the most prosperous countries. Many countries got independence after India. Such countries very small in size and which held no significant position on the world map, have today earned a repute to stand one amongst the developed countries. Brothers and Sisters, this country could not become a Good Governed State, however Gujarat very well understood the importance of it and hence during the last whole decade, owing to the political stability in Gujarat, we have taken steps one after another in this direction of making Gujarat a good state. Today Gujarat is recognized as a ‘Good Governed State’ in the country and in the world. Looking at the work that has been done in the areas of governance and people welfare, organizations like United Nations have given us awards too. Brothers and Sisters, today whatever progress we are seeing in Gujarat, good Governance is at the root of it and that’s an important reason why this progress has been possible. But Brothers and Sisters, there was a time when “how is this state”used to get discussed amongst people. People wished that the state should be good. Gradually the discussions revolved around the point of Good Governance. We have taken a step even further. We’ve said, P2G2 - Pro-people, Pro-active, Good, Governance. Until we preempt future issues and proactively go about setting up and implementing systems that can deal with such issues, any Government is just doing the job of a fire brigade. Government of Gujarat is not the one who is satisfied playing merely the role of a fire brigade, we are people who indulge into advance planning. And on account of the P2G2 theory, pro-people, pro-active, good, governance, today Gujarat has been able to put up its unique identity.
During this last decade, we have tried mounting the progress of Gujarat on the basis of five major powers. We’ve said Power of Water, Power of Knowledge, Power of Energy, Power of Defence and Power of People are such 5 pillars on whom a grand powerful monument of the state can be created.
We have awarded priority to the Power of Knowledge. Today as we glance at the whole of Saurashtra - earlier there were various such Talukas here, which did not have a single science stream school, such a sorry state it was in… After 50 years of independence when I was entrusted the responsibility of Gujarat, I saw that there were various such Talukas where no science stream school exists…! Without such a school, how would our sons become doctors or engineers? How would our daughters get an opportunity for further studies? Wherefrom would the State get the doctors and engineers it needs? Fundamentals were lacking which resulted into enormous losses. In an attempt to eliminate various such lacuna, in last 10 years we have taken steps that can enable good governed state through which everyone procures education, education which is of their individual choice, education that proves helpful to them, education that instills confidence in them, education that makes them eligible for a good job. Brothers and Sisters, today Gujarat’s ITI network has emerged as an effective model for entire country.
Yesterday, on this land of Junagadh I got an opportunity to award certificates to six young people. They were the students of ITI. This might have sound an impossible dream to them cause what future could you imagine in the profession of a turner-fitter? But they saw that the pass-outs from Gujarat’s ITI are appreciated in Germany. German companies call them and recognize them as very intelligent and capable youngsters in their production field. This is a result of improvement in quality of our education. Ten years ago daughters did not go to schools. You would find such houses where four generations exist, but not a single female member of that family has stepped into school. Today we have been successful in getting 100% enrollment done. Earlier even if girls enroll in school, they would leave and go. We reduced the drop-out rate. We have managed a reduction in the drop-out from 20%, 25%, 30% to mere 1.5 to 1.75% and that too in coming days we want to take it to zero drop out.
Brothers and Sisters, Farmers..! What was the condition of Saurashtra? What was the condition of Kutch? There was minus growth. Population was decreasing; people preferred leaving Kutch and Saurashtra and instead live in slums of Surat and chawls of Mumbai, as there was no future in their village. Crops had been spoiled due to salty sea wind, there was no education, there were no industries, and owing to lack of job opportunities my youth of Kutch & Kathiawad had to leave their parents, village, house, locality and friends, and wander in big cities hunting for a job. Today we are talking of making this coast of Kutch & Kathiawad so much prosperous that it actually becomes the gateway to India’s prosperity.
Brothers and Sisters, I can very clearly see that the prosperity that existed at the coastline of India, on the shores of Gujarat during the Dwarkadhish era, in the coming days we shall see manifold prosperity at the Kutch-Kathiawaad coastline. A new Gujarat is going to take shape at the Gujarat coast. Dholera – a new city coming up on the coastline, Dahej - a new city coming up on the coastline. We have formed a coastal development authority. We wish to make the entire coastline very busy and alive, we have begun a campaign to make this happen.
And in line with this growth, the coastal security too. No state can keep its eyes closed after the Mumbai incident. We are not sure when will the Indian Govt. take an action in this direction, Friends. However Gujarat can’t wait and therefore Gujarat has established its own Marine Security Administration. And with this very own Marine security, we have initiated a campaign to keep the coast of Gujarat safe. There was a time when Gujarat’s coastline was infamous and vulnerable and today it has become the pride of our country. It is a matter of pride that the coastline of Gujarat has become strong and contributes to India’s growth by becoming a powerful financial hub. Brothers and Sisters, there was a time when Gujarat coast was seen as a heaven of smugglers. The RDX or AK-47s arriving to India used to get offloaded on the costline of Gujarat, the weapons required by the terrorists would be transacted at this very coastline of Gujarat. We have seen such days only, in the past. However today all of this has been sealed, no more RDX, no more AK-47. The task of shielding Gujarat with such costline security has been accomplished by the brave soldiers of India, the police of Gujarat, and Gujarat Govt. has given it the utmost priority.
Brothers and Sisters, the way industry is progressing... Today I was listening to the Prime Minister’s address. According to what he said in his speech, I would like to draw the attention of those who oppose Gujarat and the Gujarat Govt. that if you cannot digest what I say its ok, but your Prime Minister has said that we need to bring in foreign investment to increase employment in this country. Your Prime Minister himself says, he is from your Party, he himself is saying that there should be a political consensus in favour of bringing in foreign investment and the political parties should rise above their differences. I believe that at least his own party members shall follow the Prime Minister’s advice, and I hope his party members shall understand and do something.
Brothers and Sisters, today morning when I heard the Prime Minister’s speech on Doordarshan, not only as a Chief Minister, but as a citizen too I felt very disappointed. When the Prime Minister of my country was addressing 120 crore countrymen, nothing but words of despair came out of his mouth. He was saying that limitiing inflation is not in our control, it is beyond our capacity. Moreover he said that as the monsoon has not been good, prices may rise further. I am surprised when he said that we are unable to take any decision as we are unable to make a consensus with our allies due to which a stalemate has been created.
Brothers and Sisters, based on what Prime Minister said, I want to ask him a question from the land of Junagadh, having tricolor as a witness; remaining within the limits of Indian Constitution, I would like to ask, “Mr. Prime Minister, you were promising that you would reduce the bank interest rates for middle class people wishing to make their own house. Mr. Prime Minister, in 2004 you had promised that the youth of India would get loan for further studies at lesser interest. And you had also promised that this youth would not have to mortgage any of his property; he would get loan at lesser interest rate merely by showing his certificate or the admission letter. Today, 8 years have passed and not a single young person has been given any bank loan without mortgaging his property. Inspite of promising education loan to the youth of the nation, when your Govt. has not been successful in providing such loans in the last 8 years, who would trust your word…?
Mr. Prime Minister, today you promised to try bringing electricity to every village. I wish, you had highlighted the States who have actually accomplished this task so that the country could find the right direction. But you could not rise above politics and thus failed to speak any words of praise in the role of PM. But Mr. Prime Minister, as an ordinary citizen of this country, how do I trust you when in this country 19 states plunge into darkness, when more than 60 crore citizens of this country are compelled to bear the problem of living in darkness…! In the entire country Gujarat was the only one who did not have to face the crisis when there was acute power shortage. There was ‘no’ darkness in Gujarat, it was shining bright when India drowned into darkness. When the whole country plunged into such darkness Mr. Prime Minister, how do I trust your promise to provide power…!
Prime ministerji, you say that malnutrition is a big shame. With great distress you had expressed your feelings before the country 3-4 months ago. Today on 15th August, couldn’t you give a call to the nation from the Red Fort to fight against malnutrition? Are there no such organizations in this country that could come forward to fight against malnutrition? But Mr. Prime Minister, it is unfortunate that today throughout your speech, you maintained complete silence on what is your strategy to help get rid of malnutrition, how do you plan to provide nutritious food to children belonging to poor families?
Mr. Prime Minister, if you don’t mind I would like to tell you that what you said today is something that Gujarat has been pursuing very vigourously for the last two years. And Prime Ministerji, I had told you 6 years ago during the NDC meeting, the transcript of your speech as well as mine both are available, you can very well check I had told you that if 21st century belongs to India, our competition is with China. And in this completion our biggest strength is the youth of India. And until we do not commit to the mission of skill development amongst these youngsters, we cannot gather strength to stand up aginst China in this world. And therefore India should give importance to it. Prime Ministerji, you did listen to this but had not responded. However Gujarat is a state which has already begun the skill development mission since last 2 years. Also, as we are celebrating 150 years of Swami Vivekanandji, we have focused all our energies on the youth of Gujarat. And today we have raised the mission in this direction where lakhs of youth can develop their skills and build their potential to secure good jobs, where the youth of Gujarat does not have to sit unemployed, and we are getting good results too. A report from the Indian Govt. states that out of total employment generated in India, 72% is from Gujarat. According to this report Gujarat has the minimum number of unemployed youth in India. Last month, we have personally handed over appointment letters to 66,000 youngsters who have built their skills in this skill development programme. Now they have started earning their living. We had emphasized before you the importance of skill development, but you have wasted seven long years, Prime Ministerji…! And today you are telling from the Red Fort that you would like to do something in the direction of skill development. How can we trust you, Prime Ministerji, when you are moving at such a slow pace in this fast changing world, when we are competing with China, how will we gear up?
Prime Ministerji, you expressed sorrow for Assam, but you kept silent over the incident that took place in Mumbai…! Prime Ministerji, why this double standard…? You feel sorry for Assam, but how can you as a Prime Minister of the country remain silent about the extremely serious incident of Mumbai? Prime Ministerji, the country wanted to hear regarding your view on Bangladeshis. Infiltration of Bangladeshis in India is posing a great danger. Assam is just a small sample, entire country is at danger today. At such point, the country wanted to know your standpoint on this issue, what is your policy. Will there be the dominance of Bangladeshis in India or will there be dominance of my countrymen in India..! The fire that is burning in the heart of Assam, only if you had tried to understand that fire, and acknowledged the sin of Bangladeshis in your words, not only Assam but whole of North-East India would have been satisfied listening to the Prime Minister of India. But it is the misfortune of my country that my Prime Minister is not ready to say anything on such serious issues.
Nor does he have any strategy for agriculture. Brothers and Sisters, this time the country has faced horrible famine. Couldn’t my Prime Minister declare any scheme for the farmers? There is huge calamity of famine, there is scarcity, there is no monsoon, there is no water…! During such time, the nation was hoping that our Prime Minister would come up with some scheme for the farmers, give assurance to them…! My dear farmer Brothers & Sisters, whether Delhi does anything or does not, whether it can do anything or cannot, but as the Chief Minister of this State I assure you that the prime duty of my Government is to safeguard mute animals and to extend every kind of help to my farmers entirely. The first priority of my Government is to use its budget for Gujarat’s villages, for Gujarat’s farmers, for my Gujarat’s farmers who are fighting against famine conditions. And we do not want to work in an age old system. I do not want to confine my Govt. within the frame of the relief work manuals which were prepared during the British rule. That is why I have given them freedom, have told them to come up with new innovative schemes, bring up schemes that can generate creative assets, do the work of ‘NAREGA’ in such a manner that is beneficial to the State and helps generation of such assets. Govt. has given many such orders right upto the lowest cadre. And I assure my famine hit Brothers and Sisters that this Govt. will do its level best to protect you.
Brothers and Sisters, today on the occasion of Independence Day, I would like to make some announcements as well. Today is 15th August, remembering the freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives for the country and in an attempt to add to the honor of freedom fighters I announce that until now freedom fighters received Rs. 5000 as pension, henceforth this amount is being increased to Rs. 6000. Brothers and Sisters, my Dalit, Tribal, Bakshi Panch and Economically Backward Brothers and Sisters, in ‘Garib Kalyan Mela’ the Govt. has completed the task of allotting either houses or land to all those living below the Poverty Line of 0 to 16. This Govt. has given plots and houses to lakhs of people and Gujarat has to its credit maximum work done in India. But Brothers and Sisters, we do not want to stop at 0 to 16. Whether anyone in India does or not, we have decided to provide houses and plots to more than 4 lakh families living below the poverty line of 17 to 20, that scheme will begin from tomorrow and the installment amount will be placed in the hands of these poor families tomorrow itself. For urban middle class we have announced that we are aiming at zero slums in metros. No one will have to live in slums or chawls, so that he has his own house the Govt. has already allocated funds in March budget to build 20,000 houses in this year. This is not today’s announcement, we have already allocated the budget in March and the Govt. has undertaken this task of providing own houses to middle class people.
Brothers and Sisters, since last 8 years we have given importance to education and because of this, children who have pursued studies after 1st, 2nd, 5th or 7th std., now want to go to college. But colleges are in cities, so those from poor families would need hostels. Primary education has progressed so much that now the need for higher education has cropped up. Considering this, the Govt. has decided to undertake a very ambitious project. For the cost of 100 crore rupees, new modern hostels for SC, ST, OBC and poor students shall be established at 36 places within a period of 1 year, having a total accommodation capacity for 26,000 students. and the whole new crop who has studied from villages, the new generation that is getting ready shall join in.
Brothers and Sisters, this year we are celebrating Swami Vivekanandji’s 150th birth anniversary. 11th September, a historic day in the life of Swami Vivekanand, 11th September, a historic day for India as well. 11th September, is also an important day in the age old history of Indian civilization. On 9/11, 11th September, in 1893 Swami Vivekanandji had addressed the World Religion Conference in America. And with this speech, a 32 year old monk of India attracted the whole world’s attention towards him, he attracted them with the help of this great Indian tradition. This glorious historic event got associated with the life of Swami Vivekananda on 11th September. That’s where Gujarat Government has decided to celebrate this year as the ‘Youth Year’. The addiction of eating gutka has led to several mothers having to lose their healthy young sons, unfortunately now even girls are following suit. Young generation in large numbers is being ruined due to this addiction to Gutka (tobacco). Gutka is costlier than almonds. If we advise anyone to eat almonds, they would say they can’t afford it. Those who eat Gutka try and work out the total cost and you will find it is costlier than almonds. Brothers and Sisters, I want to save the young generation of Gujarat, I want to save them from the dangerous disease of cancer and so Gujarat Govt. declares its decision to put a complete ban on Gutka. And its full implementation will begin from 11th September, which is the memorial day of Swami Vivekanandji’s Chicago address. No one buys new stock, nor does one hold on the old stock, and if someone is addict he can get 15-20 days time to get rid of this addiction, so that he doesn’t take any untoward step 100% implementation will be done from 11th September and this State Govt. will continue its crusade for saving the youth of Gujarat.
Brothers and Sisters, we want to fight against malnutrition, we want to fight with public participation. Lets launch a public participated campaign this coming Ganesh Chaturthi. On one side let’s help the famine affected and on the other side if there is any malnourished mother or pregnant mother, lets help them with public support, public campaign, with a feeling of service to mankind. We work in conjunction with the Govt. schemes and work in the direction of Gujarat’s development. Brothers and Sisters, this Gujarat Govt. is spending time to build the future of youth. It is spending time so that the citizens of Gujarat, the women of Gujarat can live respectfully. This Govt. is marching forward with a mission that helps ST, SC brothers get educated so that they live their life with dignity and at par with others. With tricolor as a witness, we are moving ahead with firm determination to accomplish the responsibilities entrusted upon us by the constitution. With full confidence, not a trace of despair, friends. Problems do come. But to overcome such difficulties is called strength. We are the worshipers of strength, we are the ones who march with the resolve of making Gujarat a superpower. I assure the citizens of Gujarat that tomorrow is more bright, I assure the people of Gujarat that tomorrow is more progressive, I assure the people of Gujarat that tomorrow is even happier, more prosperous, tomorrow is more peaceful and more positive. With this pledge you all speak with me…
Bharat Mata ki Jai..!! Bharat Mata ki Jai..!! Bharat Mata ki Jai..!!
Vande Mataram…!! Vande Mataram…!! Vande Mataram…!!
