CM blogs at start of Shala Praveshotsav & Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan

Published By : Admin | June 15, 2013 | 19:34 IST


3 extremely satisfying days with the future of Gujarat

 

Dear Friends,

For the next three days, the entire Team Gujarat goes to school! Yes, senior Ministers, officials and myself are going to spend the next three days in the rural areas of Gujarat, going to villages and asking parents to educate their children as a part of the Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan 2013-2014. We will go to the rural areas of Gujarat on 13th-14th-15th June and in the urban areas of Gujarat on 20th-21st-22nd June.

I vividly recall when I had taken over as the Chief Minister, an official came to me to discuss dropout rate in our primary schools. The numbers that were in front of me left me startled! Why does such a vibrant state have such high drop out rates? Why is the girl child lagging behind in primary education? We decided to tackle this menace immediately and that is how the Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan was born.

Be it scorching heat or thunderous rain, my Cabinet colleagues, officials and I set out to the villages, we tell the parents, give us your child so that we can take them to school. I can say without doubt that taking a toddler to school is one of the most satisfying moments in my many years in public life. There is no better joy than laying the foundations of a strong future for these little children.

After a decade of doing this, I am glad to share that our efforts have received immense success. The drop out rate, which stood at 17.83% in 2003-2004 has drastically come down to 2.04% in 2012-2013 for Standard 1-5 and the drop out rates for Class 1-7 has dropped significantly from 33.73% in 2003-2004 to 7.08% this year. The results of the Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan are also for all to see. In the last decade, female literacy has increased from 57.80% to 70.73% today.

While there is tremendous improvement, we want to go higher. You must have noticed that whenever results of the Class X and XII Board Exams are announced, the most common headline is- girls outshine boys yet again. It just shows that if we give the right opportunity to our women, they can do wonders. This is what we seek to do through the Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan and Shala Praveshotsav.

We noticed that a common reason for the high drop out rate among girl students was lack of adequate sanitation facilities. Thus, we constructed over 71,000 sanitation blocks. Similarly, we saw that the state did not have enough classrooms to facilitate quality education for our youngsters so we built over 1,04,000 classrooms in the last decade. We did not stop there. In this age, where technology is constantly redefining the world, it is a crime to keep our youth away from these advances. That is why we have equipped over 20,000 schools with computer facilities. 

Friends, let us all become partners in this quest for ensuring education for all.  Look in your neighbourhood, in your offices, ask your support staff if they send their children to school and if they do not, inspire them to do so. Education brings employment as well as opportunity. And, by doing this, we are not only safeguarding the future of the child but also adding a new strength to the future of Gujarat. We are also doing a great service for our nation, who will greatly benefit from the intellectual power of these youngsters, the seeds of which we are fortunate to sow today.

 

Yours,

Narendra Modi

 

 

Shri Narendra Modi's audio message at the start of Kanya Kelavani and Shala Praveshotsav 2013-14

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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!