Inaugurating the state-wide Vande Gujarat Vikas Yatra from Ahmedabad, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel made it clear that Gujarat has proved that 20 varsh ni vikas and 20 varsh no vishwas have become synonymous.
In this context, he said that due to the seeds of development sown by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi two-and-a-half decades ago, today Gujarat’s development journey has become a role model and it is known as country’s growth engine. The country is moving forward under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Gujarat is also moving forward at the same pace. “We have returned the trust, placed in us by the people in the form of development,” he said.
Vande Gujarat Vikas Yatra is to be held across the state from July 5 to 19 to convey to the people the story of public interest works, public welfare schemes and development done in the last two decades in the state. Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the state-wide Yatra from Ahmedabad Sabarmati Riverfront. Yatra has been launched in the presence of district officials in state, including members of the cabinet. The 82 Vande Gujarat Vikas Rath Yatra will cover 33 districts, 8 corporations and all village wards of the state. Under which more than 2500 programs will be held across the state and more than 25 thousand new development works will be announced and unveiled.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel said that the Sevayagna of development started under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will continue in the years to come under his guidance. While the government is reaching out to the masses through such various schemes, this Vande Vikas Yatra will add a new dimension to the sustainable development of the state.
The Chief Minister said that Gujarat, which took the lead in the freedom struggle, is today taking the lead in development as the growth engine of the country. Our Prime Minister has created a new chapter development politics in the country. Not only that, Gujarat has become world class. He added that the full credit for the transformation of Gujarat in 20 years goes to Shri Narendra Modi.
The Chief Minister said that Gujarat today has become one of the most attractive centres in the world and a synonym of good governance and development with the double benefit of a double engine government. Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed education, health and safety to the masses as the basic foundation of all-round development. He has worked in every field, from foundation to constructing tall building. “People from all over the country and world are coming to witness the development,” he added.
Mentioning that there has been a radical change in the education sector in Gujarat, he said that the drop out ratio has come down from 37% to 3%. With it the literacy rate has also come higher. Separate toilets have been built for the girls and arrangements have also been made for those who want to study further. 20 years ago there were 21 universities in Gujarat, today there are 102. There were only 26 engineering colleges in the whole of Gujarat two decades ago, today there are 133 engineering colleges. There were only 1375 seats for medical students in Gujarat, today 5,700 students are getting admission in Gujarat every year, he added.
Referring to the development story undertaken in the state, he said that tribals, women, youth, rural poor have all been empowered in the state. Mentioning that Gujarat has made progress in every field, the Chief Minister said that the government has taken decisions keeping in view every section of the society with a sense of empathy towards the people and the concept of all round development, and has delivered its benefits to the people. He added that Vande Gujarat Vikas Yatra is an opportunity to present the balance sheet to the people today.
The Chief Minister further said that strict laws have been formulated and strictly enforced. There is peace in the state. Communal riots have become a thing of the past. Body worn camera has further strengthened peace and security. Gujarat is first in the start-up rankings. Gujarat is a leader in the field of MSMEs, industrial production etc. Along with development, Gujarat has also become the best tourist destination due to the Statue of Unity, pilgrimages and festivals.
Shri Bhupendra Patel also took this opportunity to take this uninterrupted development journey of Gujarat to a new height with the mantra of ‘Sauna Saath, Sauna Vikas, Sauna Vishwas and Sauna Prayas’.
Chief Secretary to the State Shri Pankaj Kumar said that Vande Gujarat Vikas Yatra has been organized today as a part of the Azadi ka Amrut mahotsav being celebrated all over the country under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He further said that the story of development started by the then Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi is being carried forward by the present Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel. Outlining the development of the state, Shri Pankaj Kumar said that today Gujarat is at the forefront in all fields in the country. Gujarat is also a leader in the country in terms of infrastructure and industries. Gujarat is also at the top in the country in generating employment. Gujarat is doing an excellent job in all fields be it health or education.
Digital India Week was launched by Prime minister Shri Narendra Modi yesterday. The efforts made in Gujarat have been successful and this is implemented all over India as Gujarat model. Today, India accounts for 40% of all digital payments that happen across the world. He said that this development journey of Gujarat has also given a new direction to the administration.
On the occasion of state level inauguration of Vande Gujarat Vikas Yatra, Ahmedabad City Mayor Shri Kirit Parmar, MP Shri Dr. Kiritbhai Solanki, MP Shri Hasmukh Patel, MLA Shri Rakesh Shah, Commissioner of AMC Shri Lochan Sehra, officials of various departments of the State Government and AMC office bearers were also present.
