Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Gujaratis for reposing faith in him for two decades despite his caste and political background. “You neither looked at my caste nor my political life. You blessed me blindly with all your love and affection, and you saw my work and kept attesting it. Not just me, you also blessed my colleagues. And as your blessings increase, my drive and strength to work keep growing,” PM Modi made the statement after declaring Modhera, in the Mehsana district, famous for its Sun Temple, as India's first solar-powered hamlet.
He said that people of Gujarat reposed trust in him for the last two decades, due to which the state emerged as one of the prominent states in the country. “For this, I bow before millions of Gujaratis for their patience. It is because of your efforts that the government and public worked together to create a new history. All this has been possible because of your immense faith.”
PM remarked that “Modhera was known the world over as the site of the Sun temple. Henceforth, it will also be recognized for being a 100% solar powered village.” Over 1,300 solar rooftop systems have been installed on houses, reducing the electricity bill of residents considerably. Moreover, the electricity requirements of the entire premises of the famous sun temple has also been shifted to solar power.
The PM also dedicated several facilities at the Modhera Sun Temple as well as formally laid foundations or inaugurated projects totaling £309.2 million for north Gujarat. PM Modi said that his hometown Vadnagar as well as Modhera, located in north Gujarat will emerge as big tourism centres.
The projects dedicated by the PM include a gauge-conversion project, ONGC’s Nandasan geological oil production project, an irrigation canal project, road projects and a building of a regional training centre for Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA). He also laid cornerstone for an automated milk powder plant at Dudhsagar Dairy and redevelopment of a hospital in Mehsana.
Covert jab at AAP
In a covert attack at Aam Aadmi Party, Modi warned people, especially tribal peasants in Bharuch and Anand, to be vigilant and steer away from "urban Naxals" and foreign agents who he claimed were obstructing development and pursuing a sinister goal to destroy the nation. Modi's remarks were taken to be directed at the AAP and its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who were hard at work in Gujarat in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections. Modi said the tribes people of Gujarat have chosen development and guaranteed that the scourge of Naxalism, which has taken several states, does not find a foothold here. He was speaking at mass gatherings in Amod near Bharuch and at the educational town of Vallabh Vidyanagar.
Warned against Naxals
Those with Naxalite mentality tried hard to stall the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada River. The urban Naxals are now flying into the state by sporting a new get-up. They have changed their appearance and are now instigating our gullible and spirited youth. You must warn your children against these urban Naxals and foreign agents who are out to destroy our country,” he said. Modi said “Naxals wrecked the lives of tribal youth in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Projects worth £71.2 mn launched
PM Modi dedicated and launched projects worth £71.2 mn at MediCity — the Civil Hospital campus that also includes UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre (UNMICRC), Institute of Kidney Diseases Research Centre (IKDRC), and Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI).
No one sought favours
Modi acknowledged that he owed his caste for not asking him for a single favour while he served as Gujarat's chief minister and is currently the leader of India. He remarked that, “I want to accept a debt today. A son of this caste, I was CM (of Gujarat) for the longest period. He became PM for a second time. But during such a long period of administration, not one person from my caste has approached me for any favour.
Curfew, riots things of past
Modi praised Gujarat's law and order situation, saying that repeated curfews and riots have been put to rest and that the state's progress has been accelerated by the climate of peace and togetherness. Using the 36th National Games held during Navratri as an illustration, Modi claimed that thousands of athletes who visited garba locations witnessed the safety and security of the state.
