4,000 join Gujarat Chief Minister’s fast during Sadbhavna Mission in Dangs
Ahmedabad, Tuesday: Chief Minister Narendra Modi today called for making the goodwill earned through Sadbhavna Mission stronger, taking everybody along the path of development, instead of wasting time in political squabbling and bickering.
Rounding up his daylong fast as part of the district-wise Sadbhavna Misison at Ahwa in the Dangs district, he said thatGujarat’s model of development for Sadbhavna through unity and harmony for the last ten years has dumped the past Congress style of divide and rule politics, create conflicts and mislead people.
Mr. Modi said that six-crore people ofGujaratare like his family. The feeling of goodwill as propagated by the Sadbhvna Mission is ingrained in the veins of the people. The vote bank politics of rulers inDelhihas spread an atmosphere of widespread gloom and dejection, whileGujaratprovides the rays of hope to the people to come out of the rot. The Congress rule has only poisoned the minds of the people with communalism and casteism. He had a word of caution against those trying to disturb the atmosphere of peace now prevailing inGujarat.
Speaking about Gujarat’s relations with the Centre, he said that Gujarat does not owe any dues to the Centre but a lot ofGujarat’s money is lying in the nation’s coffer. It is people’s money and nobody can touch it.
The Chief Minister was overwhelmed by the feelings of 4,000 tribal people, including many from neighbouring Maharashtra, who in their colourful attire joined him in the day-long fast for Sadbhavna and extended support to his development model. He recalled how the post-Independent previous rulers have only thrown crumbs to the tribal people in those prolong 40 years and have never cared to ensure their development. The present government has for the first time set up higher secondary schools with science stream providing opportunity to the tribal people to become engineers or doctors. The government has helped tribal womenfolk set up Sakhi Mandals for their economic empowerment.
It was his tenth day-long fast at the district-level since he had launched the state-wide Sadbhavna Mission from Ahmedabad on September 17. He is schedule to undertake day-long fast in each of the 26 districts and seven municipal corporations as a means to what he calls his penance for Sadbhavna. He said that 4,000 people joining him in the fast a very significant number as there is only one taluka in the forested Dangs district.
The Chief Minister announced on this occasion a slew of development projects totaling Rs.575-crore for the Dangs district. They include Rs.185 for roads renovation, Rs. 30-crore for drinking water projects, Rs.100-crore for improving educational infrastructure,Rs.77-crore for developing Saputara hill station, Rs.30-crore for developing Dandakaranya, check dams and other projects.
