Historic turnout at the polls! Congratulations to the people of Gujarat

Published By : Admin | December 20, 2012 | 07:05 IST

Dear friends,

The second and final round of voting in the 2012 Gujarat Assembly Elections has come to an end. Your unwavering belief in our democracy and the value you attach to your vote has ensured this historic turnout. I congratulate you for giving the rest of India an invaluable inspiration to exercise our most sacred right in a democracy. You have displayed your profound faith in India’s democracy. Such faith on your part is truly wonderful.

As we await the will of our 6 crore Gujarati brothers and sisters, I thank each and every BJP Karyakarta
and our well-wishers for their untiring support for us in these elections
. From hectic days to sleepless nights, each of you has made a monumental contribution to make the Lotus bloom like never before in Gujarat.

Friends, seats, vote shares, margins and other such facts and figures are critical in understanding the uniqueness of any election. But beyond this realm of numbers and data, the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha Elections 2012 elections have offered us valuable glimpses into the sheer beauty of the Indian will and usher in a paradigm shift in how elections will be viewed in India.

It was believed that elections could be easily won by votebank politics- divide communities, firm up caste equations and victory is assured. Gujarat has changed that. It has not only shown the world that elections can be won on the issue of development but also has created a scenario where no election can move away from the development agenda. The development in Gujarat is only but a manifestation of good governance. Development and elections are inseparable and Gujarat has a major contribution in making this into a reality.

I never saw such fervor during elections as I saw in these Gujarat elections. From the elderly to the youth, the elections generated immense enthusiasm among the people. Be it the 117 year old Shri Kathuria Dada from Dediapada who has voted in every single election in independent India, Smt Maniben Jadhav from Junagadh, Shri Gopalnand Maharaj, Smt Ramben Ramani from Kalsari or Smt Ujiben Kakadia – these centenarians and others have not let anything come in their way of exercising a right obtained as a result of the blood, sweat and sacrifice of our freedom fighters.

You must have seen how, at the time of various festivals, little children in your neighborhood come rushing at your door to greet you. However stressed you are, however much the burden of responsibilities bogs you down, when these children wish you with their innocent smiles, you cannot help but get drawn into the festive mood.

That is what some of our school-going children did when they urged Gujaratis to step out of their house and exercise their right to vote. Even though they cannot vote yet, their spirit and exuberance for this greatest festival of our democracy gives me the confidence that Gujarat’s future is bright. Though several generations apart from each other, these children and centenarians are ambassadors and role models of Indian democracy and elections.

Through the Sadbhavana Mission and Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra, I had the opportunity to reach out to large number of people across the length and breadth of Gujarat. It has been a constant endeavor throughout my term to reach out to more and more people of Gujarat. I have also extensively campaigned across Gujarat. I have shared with you about what we have done for Gujarat’s growth and development and what we determine to do over the next five years. I am also very proud of the fact that Gujarat is the 1st state in the entire world to use 3D projection technology extensively to reach out to the people. What you witnessed during the various 3D interactions is something historic and I am glad it has taken place on the soil of Gujarat.

The election campaign was largely peaceful and conducted smoothly except for the unfortunate demise of 11 police personnel in Dahod. I would like to express my deepest condolences on this very sad event.

Before concluding, I would congratulate the Central and State Election Commission and all other officials for conducting the elections in such an efficient and peaceful manner. Their commendable efforts in ensuring the maximum turnout need to be lauded.

Friends, whoever you have chosen with your vote, as a Gujarati, I feel elated and proud with the history you have created.  

Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat

 

Yours,

Narendra Modi

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ஸ்ரீ ரத்தன் டாடாவுக்கு அஞ்சலி
November 09, 2024

It has been a month since Shri Ratan Tata Ji left us. From bustling cities and towns to villages, his absence is deeply felt across every segment of society. Seasoned industrialists, budding entrepreneurs and hardworking professionals mourn his loss. Those passionate about the environment and devoted to philanthropy are equally saddened. His absence has been deeply felt not only across the nation but also around the world.

For the youth, Shri Ratan Tata was an inspiration, a reminder that dreams are worth pursuing and that success can coexist with compassion as well as humility. For others, he represented the finest traditions of Indian enterprise and a steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, excellence and service. Under his leadership, the Tata Group ascended to new heights, embodying respect, honesty and credibility worldwide. Despite this, he wore his achievements lightly, with humility and kindness.

Shri Ratan Tata’s unwavering support for the dreams of others was one of his most defining qualities. In recent years, he became known for mentoring India’s StartUp ecosystem, investing in many promising ventures. He understood the hopes and aspirations of young entrepreneurs and recognised the potential they had to shape India’s future. By backing their efforts, he empowered a generation of dreamers to take bold risks and push boundaries. This has gone a long way in creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which I am confident will continue to positively impact India for decades to come.

He constantly championed excellence, urging Indian enterprises to set global benchmarks. This vision, I hope, will inspire our future leaders to make India synonymous with world-class quality.

His greatness was not restricted to the boardroom or helping fellow humans. His compassion extended to all living beings. His deep love for animals was well-known and he supported every possible effort focused on animal welfare. He often shared photos of his dogs, who were as much a part of his life as any business venture. His life was a reminder to us all that true leadership is measured not just by one’s achievements, but by one’s ability to care for the most vulnerable.

For crores of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. His swift reopening of the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks was a rallying call to the nation—India stands united, refusing to yield to terrorism.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing him very closely over the years. We worked closely in Gujarat, where he invested extensively, including in many of the projects he was very passionate about. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Vadodara with the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez and we jointly inaugurated an aircraft complex where C-295 aircrafts would be made in India. It was Shri Ratan Tata who started working on this. Needless to say, Shri Ratan Tata’s presence was greatly missed.

I remember Shri Ratan Tata Ji as a man of letters—he would frequently write to me on various issues, be it matters of governance, expressing appreciation for government support, or sending congratulatory wishes after electoral victories.

Our close interactions continued when I moved to the Centre and he remained a committed partner in our nation-building efforts. Shri Ratan Tata’s support for the Swachh Bharat Mission was particularly close to my heart. He was a vocal advocate of this mass movement, understanding that cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation are vital for India’s progress. I still remember his heartfelt video message for the Swachh Bharat Mission’s tenth anniversary at the start of October. It was among his final public appearances.

Another cause close to his heart was healthcare and especially the fight against cancer. I recall the programme in Assam two years ago, where we had jointly inaugurated various cancer hospitals in the state. In his remarks that time, he had categorically stated that he wishes to dedicate his final years to healthcare. His efforts to make health and cancer care accessible and affordable were rooted in a profound empathy for those battling diseases, believing that a just society was one that stood by its most vulnerable.

As we remember him today, we are reminded of the society he envisioned—where business can serve as a force for good, where every individual’s potential is valued and where progress is measured in the well-being and happiness of all. He remains alive in the lives he touched and the dreams he nurtured. Generations will be grateful to him for making India a better, kinder and more hopeful place.