Gandhinagar, Monday: A delegation of 22 senior officers of Armed Forces from National Defence College (NDC) on a study tour of Gujarat called on Chief Minister Narendra Modi here today and discussed a number of issues related to the state’s development model, good governance and democratic system of government.
Talking to the officers, Mr. Modi spoke about the impact of Gujarat’s success stories of good governance and development in creating a positive image about India’s security and identity on the public, as well as in solving problems coming in the way of development. There is no alternative to development and that with people’s participation. Development is no more a political agenda but a people’s agenda.
The Chief Minister said that political stability and political, backed by people’s participation, which has helped Gujarat convert challenges into opportunities, could solve national problems, too. He cited his monthly SWAGAT programme to solve online people’s grievances has played a great role in empowering common man in a democratic system. No wonder if SWAGAT won UNO Best Service Award.In the present democratic system of governance, he said, rulers have a duty towards the nation and they ought to follow a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ towards terrorism. He regretted that the vote bank politics has suppressed the people’s almost unlimited capacity to contribute to development. He said that the attempt to reduce subsidies should extend incentives to the states implementing such schemes.
As to issue of recruiting youth from Gujarat in the armed forces, he said, there has been significant improvement in the percentage, thanks to the state government’s efforts in this direction.The officers led by Commandant Vice-Admiral Sunil Lamba welcomed Mr. Modi’s concept of ‘India First’ in the context of national interest.
Those present on the occasion included Gujarat’s Industries Principal Secretary M. Sahu, Industries Commissioner Kamal Dayani and iNDEXTb Managing Director Mukesh Kumar.