Dear friends,
A journey called Sadbhavana Mission that began from Ahmedabad concluded at the auspicious Ambaji Shaktipith after the observance of 36 fasts.
Personally, the experience of interacting and observing one-day fasts in all districts across Gujarat was extraordinary.
We can calculate people’s support at the time of election through ballot boxes but they are not sufficient to assess the intensity of people’s emotions. During the Sadbhavana fasts, I was overwhelmed to personally witness the deep bond that all Gujaratis share with each other. The pride and satisfaction of an election victory dwarfs in comparison to the fulfillment of seeing people treat each other with utmost respect and deep regard.
I am used to being told repeatedly by elders and peers about the philosophy of Janta Janardhan (People are God) but have seldom seen it being put to practice anywhere. Sadbhavana Mission provided me the fortune of witnessing this.
I fall drastically short of words to explain the powerful experience of seeing the poor and the rich, the old and the young, the educated and the uneducated classes come together without any inhibitions during the Sadbhavana Mission.
After completion of the 36 Sadbhavana fasts, the country and the world have to take note of the fact that Gujarat’s atmosphere of unity, peace and brotherhood is the main reason behind our rapid progress.
On one hand, we have our nation being dominated by the poison of caste, religion based vote-bank politics that has deeply disappointed and broken the trust of every Indian. The “Divide and Rule” philosophy adopted by the Centre has caused irreparable damage to the image of our great nation.
On the other hand Gujarat has adopted the path of peace, unity and brotherhood. Gujarat has shunned vote-bank politics and adopted the politics of development. ‘Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth’ has replaced the age-old divisive practice of ‘Divide and Rule’.
Gujarat’s present decade has presented a model of development based on Sadbhavana and progress and our successful experiment in the form of the Sadbhavana Mission has given a new ray of hope to our countrymen who are immersed in deep disappointment.
It is often difficult for one to understand the good motives behind such noble initiatives as there is a tendency of some to see these public events from just a political perspective.
There were a host of incidents that touched my heart during the Sadbhavana Mission. I am at a loss of words to express my heartfelt gratitude for the phenomenal love and support extended by the people. However, I feel you would certainly like to know certain details which will acquaint you with the scope and depth of Sadbhavana Mission.
- It was no small feat for a state that representatives from all states and well-wishers from many political parties were present at the Sadbhavana fast held at Ahmedabad from 17th-19th September, 2011.
- At least one member from 70 to 75% of the families in Gujarat participated during the 36 Sadbhavana fasts.
- The presence of over 50 lakh people from 18000 villages reflects the scale and public participation in the Sadbhavana Mission.
- Shaking hands and personally meeting over 15 lakh people is perhaps a sort of record in the history of public life. But personally, to me it is a never-before kind of experience which deeply touched my heart.
- It had been my personal decision to observe fasts. But thousands of my fellow citizens voluntarily observed fast with me. Over 4.5 lakh people including 1.5 lakh women observed fasts and gave moral support to the Sadbhavana Mission.
- It is our culture to go for pilgrimage on foot. But during Sadbhavana Mission, hundreds of padyatras arrived to the venue of fast from various holy places. Over one lakh people, especially the youth joined the mission as padyatris
- Sadbhavana Marches (Prabhat-Pheris) were organized in thousands of villages despite cold weather and saw a participation of over 16 lakh people, thus spreading the message of Sadbhavana across the state
- Sadbhavana Mission energized the society to fight against malnutrition. As a result, about 40,000 Tithi Bhojans were organized in villages though which around 42 lakh poor children were provided with nutritious meals
- With an intention to serve the poor, more than six lakh kgs of foodgrains were distributed to poor families in rural areas
- Substantial sum of more than Rs. 4 Crore were donated to Kanya Kelavani Nidhi, which will promote girl child education in the state
- Thousands of citizens pledged to contribute for the welfare of society. Youth and newlyweds denounced social evils like dowry and child infanticide and pledged to adopt Anganwadis
- Thousands of drawing, elocution and essay writing competitions on the theme of Sadbhavana were held, which motivated around ten lakh children to participate and imbibe the spirit of peace, unity and brotherhood
I don’t wish to assess the success of Sadbhavana Mission in mere numbers.
Sadbhavana Mission has reflected the inner strength of our social fabric and touched the hearts of people in every nook and corner of Gujarat.
It is this energy of six crore Gujaratis which has been the vital force behind Sadbhavana Mission.
It gives me immense satisfaction to see that my effort to show the nation and world the strength of Sadbhavana Mission has been successful.
Today, the blessings and well-wishes of lakhs of my fellow citizens received in support of my pledge have infused me with fresh vigor to serve my people.
Yours,
