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Commemorating Swami Vivekananda: Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached

Published By : Admin | January 12, 2013 | 15:09 IST

Dear Friends,

12th January is no ordinary day. It is a day etched in the annals of history as a day when India was blessed with one of its most prolific thinkers, a guiding light and a man who took India’s message to the world. It was on this day, 150 years ago that Swami Vivekananda was born. Swami ji is no longer with us but his spirit, mission and his message live on- to date and continue to inspire generations of people.

I am glad to share that the Government of Gujarat has left no stone unturned to share Swami Vivekananda’s message to our people through the last year. We commemorated 2012 as “Yuva Shakti Varsh” and numerous initiatives and programmes were held to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We are also continuing to commemorate 2013 as the ‘Yuva Shakti Varsh.’

Swami Vivekananda dreamt of an India that is at the pinnacle of world leadership, a Jagat Guru Bharat.  To create such an India, he saw a central role for the nation’s youth. In Gujarat, we took it on our shoulders to empower the youth of Swami Vivekananda’s dreams and strengthen them with every possible skill so that they get opportunities to shine and stretch themselves beyond their imagination to innovate and contribute towards the nation.

The Gujarat Government has taken the task of furthering skill development among our youth. We dedicated 20 Swami Vivekananda Superior Technology Industrial Training Institutes to encourage research and innovation through technology among our youth. Our efforts to improve the facilities in our ITIs too continued at a remarkable pace.

But, we did not stop at furthering skill development only! We went a step ahead and focused on soft skills. Why can’t a student who has trained as a plumber or a trainer in an ITI imbibe soft skills so that his or her confidence level receives a strong boost? Why can’t he or she imbibe soft skills so that employability increases? In July this year I launched eMPOWER to impart basic IT skills for our youth. The scale at which this initiative is underway must be seen to be believed! We also provide soft skills in our various ITIs.

A record of sorts was created in April 2012 when I handed over appointment letters to more than 65,000 youngsters across the length and breadth of the state during the Swami Vivekananda Youth Employment Week! Imagine the qualitative difference that would have been brought about in the lives of these youngsters.

“You will be nearer to God by playing football than through the study of the Gita!” Swami Vivekananda would say. Sadly, due to pressures of exams and education, I have noticed that the playing fields are always empty. How can the youth of Swami Vivekananda’s dream not enjoy the beauty of sports? It is a fact that there can be no sportsmanship without sport! It is even rightly said, “Jo Khele, Woh Khile” (The person who plays, shines).

During the course of the last year, nearly 16,000 Swami Vivekananda Mandals and Kendras were formed at the village, taluka and district levels where sports kits were distributed to youngsters. A world record was created when 4,000 women played chess under a single roof at the Swami Vivekananda Women Chess Meet in August 2012.

In order to spread Swami Vivekananda’s message to the youth and integrate them with the development journey, I embarked on the Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra in September 2012 and I got a wonderful response from Gujarat’s Yuva Shakti. I firmly believe that the world’s most youthful nation cannot dream small - we not only need youth development but also youth-led development. This is what Swami Vivekananda envisioned and this is what we are seeking to do in Gujarat.

Those who are active on social media would have seen that every day, for the last 366 days I have Tweeted an inspiring quote of Swami Vivekananda. Similarly, the Google+ Hangout that was held in August last year was themed around creating the youth of Swami Vivekananda’s dreams. I am happy to note that both these ideas were appreciated far and wide.

Friends, it is a matter of happiness that the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda coincides with the 6th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2013. This year’s summit has drawn delegates from over 120 nations and we are focusing on knowledge, skill development and technology. This summit seeks not only to think about the development of the present but also to safeguard and power the future of our youth!

Swami Vivekananda has been a figure of inspiration to me personally as well and that is why I consider myself truly blessed that I have been able to make my small contribution in spreading his message to the people of my state. Once again, I pay my tributes to Swami Vivekananda and share my determination to continue working towards realising Swami Vivekananda’s dreams and integrating as many youngsters as possible with the unique development journey of Gujarat.

Yours,

Narendra Modi

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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!