Somnath, 1 February 2014

While inaugurating a guesthouse for the pilgrims’ conveniences at Somnath Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said, “ had there not been powerful leadership of Sardar Patel, the Somnath temple wouldn’t have existed in India and so as its re-establishment.”

Mr. Modi today performed puja with full of devotion at Somnath Temple which is the first sacred ‘Jyotirling’ in India. He performed the Shivarpan of Somnath Mahadev Temple’s Swarnamandit (golden)Garbhagruha in Somnath as a part of religious ritual.

With the help of the donors’ co-operation and public participation, Somnath Trust has built the guesthouse of Somnath Maheswari Samaj for the devotees and pilgrims which is dedicated to the people by Chief Minister. Mr. Modi whilst performing puja of ‘Jyotirling’ also offered floral tribute to the statue of Sardar
Patel.

Mr. Modi is one of the trustees of Somnath Temple who honoured the donor families on this occasion. About 57 kg gold was donated to the temple. The gold was donated by Mr. Dilipbhai Lakhi and his family.

He also outlined about the newly-formed Gir Somnath district’s decentralized administrative system due to which the coastal territories are rapidly boosting up for the all-round development of people.

While briefing about the importance of rapidly developing tourism and pilgrimage destinations in the economic development of India Mr. Modi said,

“In the spiritual and cultural traditions of India, ‘Pilgrimage’ holds utmost values for over centuries. In this modern era, bearing in mind the pilgrims’ devotion, there should be apt developments to be carried out in their facilities.” “And with the help of public participation, Gujarat government has effectively planned to develop the places of pilgrimage,” he added.

Without Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s efforts to integrate the India, Junagadh and the glorious complex of the Somnath Temple would not have become an integral part of the India, Mr Modi said. Recalling the history, the Chief Minister said, “Then nawab of Junagadh had taken it to the Pakistan, if firm leadership of Mr Patel and strong political will of Kanaiyalal Munshi had forcibly merged it into the India. Then Indian President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, against the will of prime minister Jawawarlal Nehru, had performed Pranpratishtha of the Somnath temple and protected the religious-prestige of India.

As a result of iron-will of Sardar Saheb, Somnath temple, a spiritual heritage of India, was protected for thousand of Hindu devotees, he said.

Today is the 37th formation-day of the Coast Guard of India. 1600 km long coast-
line of Gujarat has become entry-point for the world-trade, Mr Modi pointed out. In historic time the coast-line of Gujarat had become a danger-point for the security of the country. Gujarat Government has set up coast-security-network.

With the successful implementation of Sagar Khedu Yojana of Rs. 11,00 crores for five years aimed at empowering the fishermen families residing at the coastal territories, there have been established 41 I.T.I and 61 Kaushlya Vardhan Kendras for the youth empowerment. He added, “ at the cost of Rs.45 crores, there have been set up new electricity polls, drinking water, education and health related facilities etc. for the fishermen families which has completely transformed their doors for the development.” Mr. Modi also talked about a Seaweed project for empowering the women which is under the Mission Mangalam Yojana.

Expressing his anger towards the central government’s callus attitude towards woes of families of fishermen who were nabbed by the Pakistani Coast Guards and are languishing into Pakistani jail, Mr Modi said, the Indian government should ensure safety of Indian fishermen in deep-sea and should take firm, necessary steps for release of the fishermen from Pakistani jails.

Chief Minister expressed a firm determination to take the tourism development in Junagadh, Gir and Somnath to a new height with the help of people’s partnership.

Former Chief Minister and Chairman of Somnath Trust, Mr Keshubhai Patel lauded the private donation of Rs 16-crore for newly formed Somnath district. He expressed his happiness at the golden works done at the Somnath Temple.

Agriculture Minister Mr Babubhai Bokharia ascertained that the past glory and Golden-era of Somnath temple has comeback. Of the twelve Jyotirlings of Hinduism, Somnath temple is leading and has great significant in the Indian-continent.Kodinar’s MLA Mr Jethabhai Solanki, Padam Bhushan awardee Mr Rajshree Birla, Padmashree awardee Bansilal Rathi, district panchayat president Ms Deeviben Baraiya, prominent leader of Maheshwari Samaj Mr Gendalal Somani, donor Mr

Kishandas Dolaram, trustee Mr P K Laheri, cultural secretary Mr Bhagyesh Jha, MLAs – Mr Rajesh Chudasma, Mr Arvind Ladani, Ms Jyotiben Vachhani, dignitaries like Mr Zaveribhai Thakrar, Mr Chunibhai Gohil, prominent personalities of society, office bearers of the Somnath Temple and a large number of devotess remained present on the occasion.