Amreli (Gujarat) [India], October 28 (ANI): On the eve of Dhanteras, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocating Rs 4,800 crore towards development initiatives for Saurashtra on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. He remarked that Gujarat, once constrained by shortages, is now progressing rapidly under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership.
He credited this progress to Prime Minister Modi’s dedication and foresight.
Patel highlighted that Gujarat has achieved significant advancements by balancing environmental conservation, tourism, and water and human resource development.
He said, “Gujarat’s journey from its inception in 1960 to today underscores the transformative power of visionary leadership. The Prime Minister’s dedication has yielded tangible benefits. Farmers who once struggled with droughts and depended solely on rain for irrigation have been aided by initiatives like Jyotigram Yojana, which introduced three-phase electricity to villages across Gujarat. This has illuminated rural areas, secured crop production, and reduced farmers’ dependency on rainfall.”
The Chief Minister noted that under Modi’s leadership, Gujarat has established a solar park at Charanka, recognising the value and future potential of solar energy.
“Furthermore, a hybrid solar park is being developed in Kutch. Today, the PM Surya Ghar Yojana has reached millions, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision. Discussing the transformative effect of water management, Patel highlighted how, as Chief Minister, Modi implemented rainwater conservation measures such as Bori Bandh, Khet Talavadi, SAUNI Yojana, and Sujalam Sufalam, engaging communities in these efforts. As a result, Gujarat’s fields are now lush, and agricultural production has reached 105 lakh metric tonnes due to initiatives like Krishi Mahotsav and Soil Health Cards,” he said.
Patel also noted that in response to climate change, Modi, during his tenure as Chief Minister, established Asia’s first dedicated Climate Change Department in Gujarat.
“He introduced e-Gram and Vishwa Gram to provide quality e-governance services, while his SWAGAT initiative utilised technology to address public grievances, ensuring accessibility and accountability. Gujarat has become a model of transparent governance, exemplified by its infrastructure, road networks, and internet connectivity,” Patel added.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that with continued advancements in irrigation and renewable energy, Gujarat will play a crucial role in building Viksit Bharat under PM Modi’s leadership.
Prime Minister Modi announced projects worth Rs 4,800 crore for Amreli, asserting that these initiatives would ease lives across Saurashtra and boost regional development.
Highlighting Gujarat’s success in water management, Modi emphasised the concept of ‘Gaam nu Pani Gaam Ma, Sim nu Pani Sim Ma’ (village water retained locally, excess managed at borders), stating that the government’s community-driven model will not only improve farmer prosperity but also encourage tourism and create jobs.
The Prime Minister praised the Dholakia Foundation’s efforts in water conservation near Dudhala village in Amreli’s Lathi region, revitalising the Gagadiyo River and constructing ponds to support local initiatives.
Reflecting on Gujarat’s history of water scarcity, the Prime Minister said the state has endured challenges due to shortages.
He observed that the Narmada River now brings not only water but blessings and prosperity to Gujarat.
Discussing the SAUNI (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) project, Modi acknowledged initial doubts about filling Saurashtra’s dams with Narmada water. However, the project has succeeded, transforming the region and realising a long-held vision.
Modi urged collective efforts to conserve rainwater by creating small ponds along rivers to fulfil the vision of ‘One Drop, More Crop.’ Acknowledging Amreli’s role in Gujarat’s development, he honoured figures such as Yogiji Maharaj, Bhoja Bhagat, and Dula Bhaya Kag, as well as Padma Shri recipients Savjibhai and Govindbhai Dholakia for their contributions to social service.
He noted that to promote natural farming, Governor Acharya Devvrat is working in mission mode.
In recognition of Amreli’s progress in natural farming, the Prime Minister stated that Gujarat has established a unique university for natural agriculture in Halol, with Amreli hosting the first affiliated college. Highlighting Amreli’s cooperative revolution, he mentioned that Amul Dairy’s cooperative initiative, launched in 2007 with 25 village committees, has grown to over 700 cooperatives, supplying 1,25,000 litres of milk daily. Alongside the White and Green Revolutions, Modi noted that Gujarat also initiated a “Sweet Revolution” to boost honey production, enhancing income for Amreli farmers through beekeeping.
On environmental initiatives, Modi highlighted campaigns like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ which has garnered global recognition. He noted the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which allows households to save Rs 25,000-30,000 annually on electricity bills, with additional income from selling surplus power.
With over 1.5 crore registrations for the scheme, Gujarat has installed solar panels in more than 2 lakh homes. Modi added that MP Govind Dholakia has launched an initiative to make Dudhala India’s first solar village, significantly cutting residents’ electricity costs.
Discussing the link between water and tourism, he said Amreli’s increasing water resources will attract migratory birds, creating a new sanctuary.
Referencing the Statue of Unity, Modi noted that the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel have enhanced the site, attracting 5 million visitors last year. This year, the annual National Unity Run, usually held on October 31st for Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, will take place on October 29th due to Diwali.
In Porbandar’s Mokarsagar, Modi announced plans to transform Karly Recharge Lake into a sustainable ecotourism destination, promoting ecotourism and adventure tourism.
He added, “This site will also feature a bird sanctuary. Alongside the Blue Revolution, India is advancing port-led development, turning the once barren coastline into a gateway to prosperity. Gujarat’s ports are now linked with other major ports nationwide. To place India’s historic ports on the global tourism map, the Lothal Maritime Heritage Complex–a world-class maritime museum–is under development, with advanced infrastructure also being built in Jafrabad and Shiyalbet.”
Citing the Ghogha Ro-Ro Ferry service, Modi shared that it has transported 7 lakh passengers, over 75,000 trucks, and 1 lakh vehicles, saving time, money, and benefiting the environment. He mentioned that Jamnagar, Morbi, and Rajkot are set to become major manufacturing hubs, with the potential to mirror Japan’s industrial success.
“With substantial investment from Spain in India’s aerospace sector, industries in Gujarat and Rajkot are poised for substantial benefits, bringing prosperity to Saurashtra’s small industries,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment to Vikisit Gujarat for a Viksit Bharat, the PM stated that India’s global stature has grown, showcasing the potential of the people, with Gujarat playing a vital role. “Gujarat has demonstrated its strength in both urban and rural areas, underscoring its essential contribution to national growth,” he added.
Water Supply Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya highlighted Gujarat’s achievements in water conservation, noting a recent award in this sector.
“Under the SAUNI Yojana, Gujarat redirected surplus Narmada water, which would have flowed into the sea, to irrigate Saurashtra’s lands. The state also approved a Rs 20 crore grant under a PPP model to clean the Gagadiyo River in Lathi and Liliya Talukas, enhancing local water storage. Additionally, the Navda-Chavand pipeline now brings Narmada and Mahi River water to Rajkot and Bhavnagar, curbing seasonal migration among livestock farmers,” he said.
In his welcome address, Savjibhai Dholakiya, who has led water storage efforts in the region, noted that the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the Hari Krishna Sarovar years ago, followed by the recent construction of the Bharat Mata Sarovar.
“Since then, 155 lakes have been developed in the district. Gujarat is advancing through water harvesting and natural farming initiatives,” he said.
Governor Acharya Devvrat, Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, Tourism Minister Mulubhai Bera, State Forests and Environment Minister Mukesh Patel, MPs Parshottam Rupala and Bharat Sutariya, Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakiya, along with other dignitaries, officials, and citizens, graced the occasion. (ANI)
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