Focusing on development and achievements of his Government at the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from uttering a single word on two major agitations in Gujarat on Tuesday at a function in Saurashtra region — the epicentre of pro-quota stir of Patidar community and Dalit agitation after flogging of Dalit youths in Una.
The Prime Minister was in Gujarat to inaugurate the first phase of Rs 12,000 crore Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation Yojna (SAUNI) project at Aji-3 dam site near Sanosara village in Jamnagar district. SAUNI is aimed at providing sufficient irrigation water to farmers of Saurashtra region. Once the project would be completed as many as 115 irrigation dams in Saurashtra region will be filled with surplus water of River Narmada.
Ahead of upcoming Assembly polls scheduled for the next year, Modi’s maiden public rally in Gujarat after he became Prime Minister not only fuelled energy among the State BJP leaders but also grass-root workers, who are under severe pressure due to ongoing agitations.
Addressing a large gathering, mostly farmers from Saurashtra region, Modi instantly struck an emotionally chord by greeting people asking them ‘Kem ChhoIJ’ (How are you) in Gujarati and straight away connected with the crowd again by asking, “Am I the same person whom you sent to Delhi.”
The crowd responded with loud cheer, “Yes.” He also apologised the people of Gujarat for not able to give time to the State which he used to do as Gujarat Chief Minister.
Nostalgic Modi further said that when he became Gujarat Chief Minister for the first time, he told the farmers not to agitate for more electricity and tried to persuade them focusing on water. Initially, many were not agreeing on my suggestion, he said, adding, “I must thank farmers of Gujarat for accepting my suggestion. They supported the State Government’s scheme of water harvesting and water conservation by constructing more than six lakh farm ponds and check dams. Ultimately it only improved their economy,” said the PM.
Farmers from any corner of the county have capability to grow gold from soil if they would get adequate water, he said adding that just imaging how would the Saurashtra region look once all the 115 dams filled with Narmada water in future. “Our ancestors left water for us. Now it is our responsibility to think about future generations by conserving water resources.”
Talking about his Government achievement in the first couple of years, Modi said that as a result of his Government’s initiative of Neem-coated urea and curb on illegal use of subsidised urea in factories, it farmers are getting urea in adequate quantity. He also talked about success of Prime Minister Crop Insurance and Gas Connection schemes for farmers and poor families respectively.
Modi coined a new term ‘Swachhagrah’ saying that our nation got freedom from a weapon called ‘Satyagrah’, now it is the duty of the people to get freedom from dirt by another weapon - Swachhagrah (Insistence for Cleanliness). He also appreciated the media for supporting his Government’s cleanliness initiative. The Prime Minister insisted people to encourage their daughters for participation in sports activities citing examples of medal winners of Rio Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, due to inclement weather Modi had to drive down to Sanosara to attend inauguration ceremony at the Aji Dam site from Jamnagar airport where he landed by chartered flight in the morning. Apart from Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel, former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel, state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and Union Minister of State Parashotam Rupala remained present at the function.