Shri Narendra Modi releases book ‘My Journey into the Wild’ by Mr. Sanat Shodhan
CM shares valuable insights on Gujarat’s tourism and wildlife sector
On Friday, 6th June 2012 Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the book ‘My Journey into the Wild’ by Mr. Sanat Shodhan.
Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister congratulated the efforts of Mr. Shodhan saying that this book and Mr. Shodhan’s life will inspire many people. He added that his efforts are an integral contribution to the larger effort of drawing more tourists to Gujarat. He believed that such photography required immense skill and patience, which Mr. Shodhan possesses in plenty as evident from the wonderful book he has published.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister shared valuable insights on the tourism and wildlife potential of Gujarat. He believed that there is immense scope for bird watching in Gujarat and spoke about an international conference of birdwatchers that was held 2 years ago. He believed that birdwatchers made the best tourists. He added that the IIM campus is a heaven for bird lovers and in Kutch too there is an impressive number of flamingoes and is a ‘flamingo city’ itself with 20% of the world’s flamingoes.
The Chief Minister spoke about the efforts in the Gir Forests. He expressed joy in sharing that many women attendants were taking care of the lions thus adding to preserving Gujarat’s wildlife. He also spoke about the initiative of the Government to provide cameras to foresters working in Gir due to which the treasures of the Gir forests can reach the people.
Shri Modi said that the lions are the pride of Gujarat but at the same time noted that the Central Government seemed only bothered about tigers, referring to the Rs. 200 crore grant for tiger conservation. Shri Modi found it unfortunate that despite Gujarat’s lion population coming to a rise to 411, it is not coming to the notice of the Centre. Is it because tigers are secular and lions communal, he asked as the audience burst into laughter.
He also spoke about how from producing the best tourists, Gujarat is also emerging as a tourist destination in its own right drawing people from all over. Infact, Gujarat’s tourism growth is 20% more than India’s, Shri Modi pointed out. He said that with tourism a lot of other people also gain be it handicrafts or anything else. Shri Modi concluded the speech by congratulating Mr. Shodhan again for his stellar efforts.
Mr. Sanat Shodhan is a photographer with a fondness for wildlife. He has moved across the world for fifteen years and clicked amazing spectacles through his camera. The selected 400 of his photos have been compiled in his English book ‘My Journey into wild’, which has been published with latest eco-friendly technology. The book consists of seven important chapters that include photographs of beautiful exotic wild animals.
