At the outset of Swarnim Jyanti celebration Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi has called upon the government functionaries at district level to be prepared to arrange next round of Garib Kalyan Mela from July-August 2010 benefiting 223 talukas and to create a positive atmosphere that can eradicate poverty.

On Thursday at Gandhinagar a workshop regarding Garib Kalyan Mela was arranged where all the Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Department’s Secretaries, Municipal Commissioners, Collectors and District Development Officers participated.

Lauding the district team for their outstanding success in organizing 50 Garib Kalyan Melas across the State Chief Minister said the State Government is determined to use the innovative mechanism of Garib Kalyan Mela more concretely and to generate an encouraging environment that frees the poor from poverty.

Shri Modi also asked officials to use the past experience of Garib Kalyan Mela and to bring qualitative innovations in the arrangements of the next round of Garib Kalyan Melas.

Essence of Garib Kalyan Mela lies not in numbers of beneficiaries and figures of aid but in the fire that the administration can ignite into the hearts of poor to come out of poverty, he said.

Chief Minister also talked about various movements like Samaydan, Gunotsav, Girl Child Education and Krishi-Mahotsav in the context of Swarnim-Jyanti celebration.

Chief Secretary Shri A.K.Joti, Principal Secretary to Rural Development Department Shri R.M.Patel and Senior Secretaries of all concerned departments detailed out various welfare programmes that will assist the Garib Kalyan Melas.