 "Narendra Modi")
Once again indicating at this larger role in national politics, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi shared his dream of 'One India, Best India' in his address to the people of state on occasion of 53rd Gujarat Foundation Day on Wednesday.
The poster boy of Hindutva and one of BJP's priministerial candidates for the 2014 general elections, also took a dig at his detractors and said "handful of people seem to have taken contract to malign Gujarat come what may".
Extending his greeting to citizens of the state and the people of Gujarat settled across the globe Modi said, "I have a dream to make Gujarat the best state with a view to build ‘One India, Best India’."
"One should not be under the false impression that Gujarat belonged to the government. It is the responsibility of six-crore Gujaratis to develop and grow as well as protect its pride. Gujarat has given the ‘development mantra’ to India. The people of the state have been working for the development since day one, taking every one along, to realise ‘Sauno Saath; Sauno Vikas’ (All together, growth for all) . It is the result of people’s hard work," Modi said.
He claimed that state of Gujarat did not differentiate between people on the basis of their state of origin, place of birth, dress or language. "Who doesn’t dream of a better and prosperous India, a better and prosperous Gujarat, which youth doesn’t seek a job?" he asked. "Gujarat has on Wednesday reached the height of development. It has been possible due to people’s cooperation, marching shoulder-to-shoulder,” he added.
Paying tribute to the martyrs of Mahagujarat Movement (for separate Gujarat state) which was led by Indulal Yagnik, Modi said the state’s 1,600-km long coastline has on Wednesday become the gateway to not only Gujarat but India.
Modi further announced that the his government has decided to deepen the dams and ponds till June, in wake of the severe water shortage in the state this year due to deficient rainfall.
"Although nature has been kind to Gujarat in the form of monsoon during the last decade, which filled up numerous check dams and farm ponds, there was water scarcity condition this year. And it has been decided to deepen the dams and ponds till June," Modi said.
He blamed the opposition Congress for politicising the issue and holding government responsible for drought. "Even deities smiled on the parched land in the form of untimely rains in the month of April, apparently to rebut the canards being spread by the opposition parties," he added.
“I have faith in God and the people have faith on me and we will overcome all obstacles and can no way stop the march to development,” the chief minister said.
