CM blogs on Independence Day 2013 - Towards a better tomorrow!

Published By : Admin | August 14, 2013 | 22:45 IST

Towards a better tomorrow!

 

Dear Friends,

My heartfelt greetings and salutations to all of you on the special occasion of Independence Day. I would also like to convey my wishes to the Indian community settled all over the world on this historic day.

There are a large number of people today who have not seen the Freedom Struggle closely either because they were born after 1947 or they were too young during those times. I am one of them. But, when I hear the accounts of the courage shown by our freedom fighters, I am overcome by a sense of pride and responsibility. Today, we do not have the honour of dying to free our nation but we have the golden opportunity to live for it and to see it transformed in a manner that it fulfills the dreams of our forefathers. Today we pay our tributes to each and every one of these heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s freedom with a resolve that their sacrifices for our motherland will not go in vain.

When I look at the recent events, however, a deep sense of pain overcomes me. Our brave soldiers have been repeatedly killed but our Government has not awakened from the deep slumber it has been in for the last 9 years. Our Armed Forces are our pride and no citizen of this country can accept the events happening in the last few months. It is indeed agonizing.

The state of our economy is no source of comfort either with the constantly rising prices. The Rupee is breaking its own records against the Dollar. Does all this help the poor or the neo middle class, who have high expectations for a better tomorrow? Does our youth have adequate jobs? This is truly a very turbulent phase in the history of our nation and the atmosphere is that of deep mistrust, gloom and pessimism. And in times like these, we need be to most vigilant against those who promised the moon but have been unable to deliver anything. Tokenism filled acts are not the solution to the problems we face - it is time for action!

For 65 years, there have been enough divisions that have bogged us down. It is time to rise above such divisions and reject forces inimical to progress of people, especially the poorest of the poor. As I had said at the public meeting in Hyderabad recently, a Government has only one religion and that is India First and it has only one holy book and that is the Indian Constitution! The only Bhakti it must be immersed in is Bharat Bhakti and Jan Shakti is the only Shakti it possesses. The sole ritual of the Government must be the well being of 125 crore Indians and the code of conduct must be ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. That is when we will fulfill the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and Sardar Patel.

Our work did not stop with attaining Swarajya on 15th August 1947. The more difficult part of our journey still remains and it is the attaining of Surajya. Let each of us become the torchbearers of a grand mass movement to bring Surajya. And as citizens of a vibrant and liberal democracy, the power of franchise is the strongest way towards commencing this movement to attain Surajya. This responsibility begins with Registering as voters.  I strongly urge my young friends to register themselves as voters and encourage atleast 10 others around them to register as voters as well be it their families, friends, neighbours etc. Let us ensure there is no university student who is not a registered voter! Infact, we should be as proud of being registered voters as we are of being citizens of this great nation.

I will end with a prayer for all the valiant Navy personnel we lost in the unfortunate tragedy on board INS Sindhurakshak. My deepest condolences to their families. May their souls rest in peace.

Once again, I convey my greetings on the occasion of Independence Day. May our country scale newer heights of progress in the years to come. I am also sharing a video of my Independence Day message and a video on the need for high voter registration.

 

Vande Mataram! Jai Hind.

 

 

Narendra Modi

 

Sharing a video for voter registration

 

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Rann Utsav - A lifetime experience
December 21, 2024

The White Rann beckons!

An unforgettable experience awaits!

Come, immerse yourself in a unique mix of culture, history and breathtaking natural beauty!

On the westernmost edge of India lies Kutch, a mesmerising land with a vibrant heritage. Kutch is home to the iconic White Rann, a vast salt desert that gleams under the moonlight, offering an otherworldly experience. It is equally celebrated for its thriving arts and crafts.

And, most importantly, it is home to the most hospitable people, proud of their roots and eager to engage with the world.

Each year, the warm-hearted people of Kutch open their doors for the iconic Rann Utsav—a four-month-long vibrant celebration of the region’s uniqueness, breathtaking beauty and enduring spirit.

Through this post, I am extending my personal invitation to all of you, dynamic, hard-working professionals, and your families to visit Kutch and enjoy the Rann Utsav. This year’s Rann Utsav, which commenced on 1st December 2024, will go on till 28th February 2025, wherein the tent city at Rann Utsav will be open till March 2025.

I assure you all that Rann Utsav will be a lifetime experience.

The Tent City ensures a comfortable stay in the stunning backdrop of the White Rann. For those who want to relax, this is just the place to be.

And, for those who want to discover new facets of history and culture, there is much to do as well. In addition to the Rann Utsav activities, you can:

Connect with our ancient past with a visit to Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage site (linked to the Indus Valley Civilisation).

Connect with nature by visiting the Vijay Vilas Palace, Kala Dungar. The ‘Road to Heaven’, surrounded by white salt pans, is the most scenic road in India. It is about 30 kilometres long and connects Khavda to Dholavira.

Connect with our glorious culture by visiting Lakhpat Fort.

Connect with our spiritual roots by praying at the Mata No Madh Ashapura Temple.

Connect with our freedom struggle by paying tributes at the Shyamji Krishna Varma Memorial, Kranti Teerth.

And, most importantly, you can delve into the special world of Kutchi handicrafts, each product unique and indicative of the talents of the people of Kutch.

Some time ago, I had the opportunity to inaugurate Smriti Van, a memorial in remembrance of those whom we lost during the 26th of January 2001 earthquake. It is officially the world's most beautiful museum, winning the Prix Versailles 2024 World Title – Interiors at UNESCO! It is also India's only museum that has achieved this remarkable feat. It remains a reminder of how the human spirit can adapt, thrive, and rise even in the most challenging environments.

Then and now, a picture in contrast:

About twenty years ago, if you were to be invited to Kutch, you would think someone was joking with you. After all, despite being among the largest districts of India, Kutch was largely ignored and left to its fate. Kutch borders Registan (desert) on one side and Pakistan on the other.

Kutch witnessed a super cyclone in 1999 and a massive earthquake in 2001. The recurring problem of drought remained.
Everybody had written Kutch’s obituary.

But they underestimated the determination of the people of Kutch.

The people of Kutch showed what they were made of, and at the start of the 21st century, they began a turnaround that is unparalleled in history.

Together, we worked on the all-round development of Kutch. We focussed on creating infrastructure that was disaster resilient, and at the same time, we focussed on building livelihoods that ensured the youth of Kutch did not have to leave their homes in search of work.

By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the land known for perpetual droughts became known for agriculture. Fruits from Kutch, including mangoes, made their way to foreign markets. The farmers of Kutch mastered drip irrigation and other techniques that conserved every drop of water yet ensured maximum productivity.

The Gujarat Government’s thrust on industrial growth ensured investment in the district. We also leveraged Kutch’s coast to reignite the region’s importance as a maritime trade hub.

In 2005, Rann Utsav was born to tap into the previously unseen tourism potential of Kutch. It has grown into a vibrant tourism centre now. Rann Utsav has also received several domestic and international awards.

Dhordo, a village where every year Rann Utsav is celebrated, was named the 2023 Best Tourism Village by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The village was recognized for its cultural preservation, sustainable tourism, and rural development.

Therefore, I do hope to see you in Kutch very soon! Do share your experiences on social media as well, to inspire others to visit Kutch.

I also take this opportunity to wish you a happy 2025 and hope that the coming year brings with it success, prosperity and good health for you and your families!