Chief Minister pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri
Ahmedabad, Sunday: Gujarat Chief Minister today asked the Centre to compete with Gujarat in the race for development, rather than t aking a path of conflict and maligning the State.He said that Gujarat’s model of development and governance is being hailed the world over and people’s confidence on the government’s transparent policies sensitive to problems is also increasing by the day.
He was speaking at functions to mark the dedication of Mahatma Gandhi Smriti Bhawan and District Seva Sadan on his 143rd birthday at his birthplace Porbandar.
Mr. Modi pointed out that Gujarat’s raw cot ton production has increased from 23-lakh bales to 123-lakh bales in the last decade. The State’s industrial development has jerked up farm land prices, but farmers sell t heir land at prices they decide. It is one state where the land under agriculture has cultivation despite industrial development. Although Gujarat is a p art of India, the Congressmen particularly at the Centre pounce upon Gujarat, envious of the latter’s progress. It is time for the people of Gujarat to identify the foes of Gujarat.
He listed several sc hemes like Mission Mangalam the state government has started for the empowerment of woman and poor to take every section of the society in development.
The Mahatma Gandhi Smriti Bhavan is built at a cost of Rs. 2-crore and Seva Sadan at a cost of Rs.12-crore.
The Chief Minister on the occasion released the Braille edition of his book titled ‘Premteerth’ for the visually challenged and translated by Mahendrabhai Mehta.
Social Justice Empowerment Minister Fakirbhai Vaghela said Porbandar has been blessed by great persons like Mahatma Gandhi, Sudama and Vivekanand.
The Chief Minister earlier paid his homage to the Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Karsturba Gandhi at Kirti Mandir, participated at all-religion prayer meeting. He described the Mahatma as the Man of the Millennium, whose principles of trusteeship should solve complex problems like global wsarming.
Watch : Narendra Modi at all-religion prayer meeting on Gandhi Jayanti, 2011
Mr. Modi also p aid his homage to late former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, also born on October 2, describing him as a true Gandhian who implemented Gandhian principles as the leader and as a common man.
The Chief Minister’s other itinerary at Porbandar included an inter active session with small children at Gandhi Museum.
