Our Sankalp for a Bhavya and Divya Gujarat: CM blogs during election campaign

Published By : Admin | December 6, 2012 | 14:22 IST

Our Sankalp for a Bhavya and Divya Gujarat

 

Dear Friends,

Earlier this week, we released the Gujarat BJP manifesto, our Sankalp Patra, to present to you what our Government determines to do in the next five years.    

When government after government run by Congress and its allies throw crumbs at sections they aim to capture as their vote bank, politically expendable sections get left out; not because they are not meritorious; not because they don’t have the ability to grow; but, merely because governments don’t find them electorally useful. When governments indulge in this ‘vote-bank governance’, they try to fool people by saying that their aim is to attain equality of outcome. This saddens me a lot.

But this needs to change. Why shouldn’t every segment, every Gujarati, whether or not he votes for the BJP, get equal access to opportunities to progress and prosper?

Our vision for Gujarat has been, is and will remain inclusive, all-round growth to create a
Bhavya and
Divya (glorious and divine) Gujarat. With this Sankalp Patra, I am asking my Gujarati brothers and sisters to elect the BJP.
Elect us once again for assuring equality of opportunity irrespective of religion, caste or creed. Elect us for having uplifted large sections from the depths of poverty to a bright future.

 

 

Elect us for wiping off every trace of middlemen and agents in our poverty alleviation schemes. Friends, ‘Garibi Hatao’ is a very attractive slogan. Unfortunately, Congress has kept it merely as a slogan – an ornament it can take out of the locker to display every five years and dazzle the nation. Middlemen flourishing under Congress rule have reduced every rupee that leaves government coffers to a meager 15 paisa. Instead of galvanizing growth, Congress has created persistent poverty.

Due to our Government’s efforts, a huge number of Gujaratis across all religions and castes have now entered the middle class segment. They are the “neo middle class” with aspirations, dreams and determination. They are one of the most critical drivers of the Gujarat’s growth engine. We want to keep nurturing the symbiosis between these stakeholders and Gujarat. ‘Our growth for Gujarat’s growth’ is what I want everyone to imbibe.

You must have observed that most election manifestos of Congress governments and its allies still contain promises to provide the most basic services and facilities, despite the fact that they have not been able to fulfill the promises they took in earlier manifestos! Friends, so far we have filled the ditches that previous Congress governments left. We are now laying the path for enhancements to
existing schemes and programs, many of which have got nationwide and global recognition.

In crucial areas such as education, particularly girl-child education, healthcare, urban and rural housing, agriculture and irrigation, poverty alleviation and
bijli (electricity)
, sadak (roads)
, paani (water) and
naukri (employment), Gujarat is now ready to take even bigger strides ahead.

As Gujarat braces itself for the challenges that global competitiveness have brought, I want to share my thoughts on a recent disturbing development.

With scam after scam running into thousands of crores of rupees, UPA has taken our nation to the lowest depths. The policy paralysis and the absence of Neta, Niti and Niyat have spoiled the entrepreneurial environment, creating nothing but pessimism everywhere. Many are starting to look at business, industry and investment with suspicion.

This is bad for our nation. It is enterprise, industry and investment that will provide our nation self-dependence and sustenance. With every investment that is made in Gujarat, the capital that otherwise sits idle or flies abroad is introduced into our economy. This generates many employment opportunities.

Not just that, many ancillary and allied units are set up in the vicinity and across the State which gives rise to self-employment opportunities as well. From a five star hotel to an affordable guesthouse, from a fancy multi-cuisine restaurant to the local tea stall – several such businesses can get a boost. So many Gujarati brothers and sisters are able to light their stoves with their own hard earned money. The entire area starts bubbling with energy and dynamism.

What needs to be decimated is corruption and cronyism, and not enterprise. Enterprise needs to be encouraged with vision and vigour. What needs to be destroyed is the brazen belief that one family or one party enjoys the sole entitlement to your hard-earned money. That is what I will continue to do.

Friends, let us take a
Sankalp today to uproot the Congress in the coming elections
. Congress is not a constructive participant in our democracy. In Gujarat, it has not only failed while in power but also failed in its role as an Opposition.

You are a vital stakeholder in how and where Gujarat progresses. Election is the most important festival in our democracy and voting is your most important right. Choose your vote carefully. In the end, whoever you vote for, remember that we are all in this march together.

Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat!

 

Yours,

Narendra Modi

 

 ALSO READ- BJP releases Sankalp Patra for 2012 Gujarat VIdhan Sabha elections

 

Read the detailed "Sankalp Patra" in English.

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Somnath and Bharat’s unconquerable spirit!
May 08, 2026

At the start of 2026, I had gone to Somnath for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, marking a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple. Now, I will be back in Somnath on 11th May to mark 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Temple by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. In less than half a year, it is a privilege to be attending two important milestones relating to Somnath and its journey from ruin to renewal or what we describe as from Vidhvans to Srijan.

Somnath gives us a civilisational message. The vast sea before it evokes timelessness. The waves tell us…that no matter how fierce the storms are or how turbulent the tides are, one can always rise again with dignity and strength. The waves return to the shore, as though reminding every generation that the spirit of the people can never be subdued for long.

Our ancient scriptures say: प्रभासं च परिक्रम्य पृथिवीक्रमसंभवम्. It means, a Pradakshina of the divine Prabhasa (Somnath) is equal to a Pradakshina of the whole earth itself! While people have come here to pray, they have also experienced the remarkable continuity of a civilisation whose flame could never be extinguished. Empires rose and fell, tides changed, history moved through conquest and upheaval, yet Somnath continued to endure in our consciousness.

It is time to remember the countless greats who stood firm in the face of tyranny. There were Lakulisha and Soma Sarman, who transformed Prabhasa into a great centre of philosophy. Chakravarti Maharaja Dharasena IV of Vallabhi built the Second Temple there centuries ago. Bhima Deva, Jayapala and Anandapala will always be remembered for defending civilisational honour against invasions. It is said that Raja Bhoja too helped with the reconstruction. Karna Deva and Siddharaja Jayasimha played a vital role in restoring Gujarat’s political and cultural strength. Bhava Brihaspati, Kumarapala Solanki and the Pashupata Acharyas rebuilt and sustained the shrine as a great centre of worship and learning. Vishaladeva Vaghela and Tripurantaka protected its intellectual and spiritual traditions. Mahipaladeva and Ra Khangar were instrumental in reviving worship after destruction. Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, whose 300th birth centenary is being marked, ensured the continuity of devotion in the most difficult of times. There were the Gaekwads of Baroda, who safeguarded the rights of pilgrims. And of course, our soil is blessed to have nurtured brave personalities like Veer Hamirji Gohil and Veer Vegdaji Bhil, whose sacrifice and courage have become a part of Somnath’s living memory.

In the 1940s, when the spirit of freedom swept across India and the foundations of a new republic were being laid under the leadership of towering figures like Sardar Patel, one thing continued to trouble him deeply…the condition of Somnath. On 13th November 1947, during Diwali time, he stood next to the dilapidated ruins of the temple with sea-water in his hands and said, “On this auspicious day of the (Gujarati) New Year, we have decided that Somnath should be reconstructed. You, people of Saurashtra, should do your best. This is a holy task in which all should participate.” On one clarion call of Sardar Patel, it was not only the people of Gujarat but also the people of the whole of India that responded enthusiastically.

Unfortunately, fate did not allow Sardar Patel to witness the fulfilment of the dream he had so passionately championed. Before the restored Somnath Temple could open its doors to devotees, he had departed from this world. Yet, his impact continued to be felt over the sacred shores of Prabhas Patan. His vision was championed by Shri KM Munshi, ably supported by the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar. In 1951, when the Temple was complete, it was decided to call the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, for the ceremony. Overcoming strong objections from the then Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, Dr. Prasad graced the ceremony, thus making it even more special and historic.

My mind also goes back to October 2001, when I had just taken over as Chief Minister. On 31st October 2001, the Jayanti of Sardar Patel, the Gujarat Government had the honour of organising a programme to mark 50 years since the Somnath Temple opened its doors. It also coincided with the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Patel. The then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then Home Minister Shri LK Advani attended the programme.

During his speech on 11th May 1951, Dr. Rajendra Prasad said that the Somnath Temple proclaims to the world that anything with unparalleled faith and love cannot be destroyed. He expressed hope that this Temple will live in the hearts of people. He also said that the restoration of the Temple was a fulfilment of Sardar Patel’s dream, but taking that spirit forward, it is important that we restore prosperity to the lives of people. These are important and inspiring messages he gave.

This is the path we have been walking for over a decade. I consider it my good fortune that, inspired by the principle of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, from Somnath to Kashi, Kamakhya to Kedarnath, Ayodhya to Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar to Srisailam, our team has had the opportunity to equip our spiritual centres with the latest facilities while at the same time preserving their traditional character. This, along with efforts to improve connectivity, ensures more people can visit them. It boosts the local economy, secures livelihoods and deepens the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’

The struggles and sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to protect Somnath and those who rebuilt it time and again will never be forgotten. Countless individuals from different corners of India contributed to restoring its glory. They saw every part of Bharat as sacred, bound together by a sense of oneness that transcended geography. In a world often marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more relevant than ever. Somnath will continue to stand tall in all its glory because the sense of unity and shared civilisational consciousness lives on in the hearts of every Indian. As a tribute to this, remembering the extraordinary courage of a thousand years, there will be special Pujas at Somnath for the next thousand days. It is gladdening to see several people donating for these Pujas as well.

I urge my fellow Indians to travel to Somnath in this special time. When you stand on the shores of Somnath, let its ancient echoes speak to you. You will not only be overwhelmed by devotion but will also feel the strong pulse of a civilisational spirit that refuses to fade, that is unbroken and unyielding. You will experience Bharat’s unconquerable spirit and understand why, despite every effort, our culture remained undefeated and you will have the opportunity to behold the vision of eternal triumph. It will surely be unforgettable.

Jai Somnath.

(Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India and is also the Chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust)