Vadodara, 23 May 2012

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia was in Vadodara today to pay homage to late Maharaja Ranjitsinhji Gaikwad.

In a brief talk with media persons, Vasundhara Raje praised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his works.

She said, “the people of Gujarat progressive in thinking, the state developing fast socially and in the areas of business. it’s pleasure to meet the people of this state.”

“The way this state has progressed, I wish that other states located next to it, and my state too develop in this way. Such endeavor will to see an emergence of a new nation. I think all chief ministers works in this direction but the way Narendra Modi and BJP have transformed the state, if feels nice to see,” she added.

Ahmedabad, 22 May 2012

Reiterating its demand for removal of Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal from her post over an alleged land scam, BJP today threatened to launch an agitation, if she did not tender her resignation in next three days.

BJP general secretary Kirit Somaiya, who is also the coordinator of party’s Anti Corruption Cell, had yesterday alleged that Beniwal had tried to acquire a huge piece of land in Rajasthan by submitting false information about herself. Somaiya, who had yesterday held a press conference in Rajkot on the same issue, today briefed reporters here.

He reiterated the charges against Governor, saying she had submitted ‘false’ information about herself being a farmer in order to acquire a piece of land in Rajasthan.

“Beniwal has given information to acquire the land by saying that she is a farmer and spends sixteen hours daily in farming. The information is totally incorrect and false as how can a person like a Governor spend 16 hours daily in the farm,” Somaiya told reporters here.

“Either Beniwal should resign from Governor’s post or an inquiry should be ordered against her to find out her role in the case”, he said.

If she does not respond in the next three days, then we will discuss the issue in our national executive meeting to be held in Mumbai and plan out agitational programmes against her, he added.

Ahmedabad, 22 May 2012

In a press conference held at BJP headquarter in Ahmedabad, BJP’s national secretary Kirit Somaiya said Pranab Mukherjee’s recent white paper was actually a black paper. With facts and figures, he raised a question whether Rupee, Dollar fluctuation is UPA’s scam? He demanded probe in this regard on behalf of the party. Somaiya lashed out at UPA for hiding the names of black money owners supplied by European nation.

Ahmedabad, 21 May 2012

Presented above is a video containing Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia’s conversation with the media persons on the occasion of anniversary of Late Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi.

Ahmedabad, 21 May 2012

Star cast of the film Yeh Khula Aasman was on visit to Ahmedabad on promotion tour. The film is produced by Gitanjali creations. The story of the film revolves arond Avinash, a young intelligent boy going through an extremely challenging phase of life due to his academic failures. He feels an immense vacuum which unfortunately his busy parents are unable to fill. In desperation he visits his grandfather (Dadu, a role played by Raghubir Yadav) after several years.

Being the best kite runner of his era, Dadu subtly imparts lessons of life using the ‘kite’ as a metaphor for ‘life’. Under Dady’s company Avinash discovers many unexplored yet invaluable facets of life finding true friendship, love and inspiration to lead a life full of hope, joy and success.

The role of Avinash is played by Raj Tandon while the centre of attraction of the film, a beautiful girl Anya Anand plays role of Muskaan.

The film is directed by Gitanjali Sinha. Anand Milind are music director of the film.

Ahmedabad, 19 May 2012

Four books titled as ‘Sim Asim’, containing published articles of Gujarat Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas were launched today by noted author Shri Gunvant Shah, in a function presided by veteran Gujarati author Shri Dhirubhai Thaker at Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries hall.

“It’s compilation of my articles published between 2005-2009. The four books cover contemporary issues covering mainly four areas; economic progress, India and its position in global situation, agriculture and other management related issues. These books will be useful for researchers in future and those interested in economics,” said Shri Vyas.

The books are published by Navbharat publication.

I write columns and deleiver lectures.

Ahmedabad, 18 May 2012

Team Anna member and retired IPS Kiran Bedi in her interaction with TV media just outside the airport in Ahmedabad spoke about Lokpal, Lokayukta, parliament, A Raja’s jail exit and his entry into the parliament, stone pelting on Anna Hazare’s car and other issues.

Ahmedabad, 15 May 2012

Moving forward one step ahead in its endeavor to promote environment-friendly practices, Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), in association with World Around You (WAY), today launched a new initiative called ‘Study To Identify Good Environment – Friendly Practices In Gujarat’ (GEPG).

Speaking at the event, Shri A. K. Verma, IFS, Member Secretary, GEC, said, “The study will identify and acknowledge practices, adopted by any individual, NGO, government undertaking, private company, cooperative body or government department, which have created a positive impact on the quality of environment in Gujarat. Not only that, top 25 practices will also feature in a special publication, to be released on the basis of the outcome of the study.The area of actions that will be mainly considered while identifying the practices include nature & bio-diversity conservation, environmental quality management, energy conservation & renewable energy, agriculture & allied activities, waste management and other likewise activities.

While GEC will carry out and sponsor the study, WAY will act as the process advisor and official tabulator to the study. The last date for submission of the entries is June 15, 2012. A curtain raiser event was also held today at Hotel Marriot, Ahmedabad to formally initiate the process of the study. Senior government officials, heads of educational institutions, NGO representatives and environmental experts were present in the event in a large numbers.

“Every effort counts when it is about bringing a positive change. With the same spirit, we intend to bring forward efforts that have made significant contribution towards saving our environment. Through this study, we wish to recognize and reinforce 25 best initiatives in Gujarat to showcase environment consciousness & action spirit of people and organizations that are committed towards a better tomorrow. This will also inspire other people & organizations to join hands & adapt such practices.” Verma added.

He further added,“ we also request people of Gujarat to help us in identifying and sharing interesting practices which they believe can make a difference. They can participate in the study by nominating such practices.”

About GEC:

Gujarat Ecology Commission was established in 1992 by the Forest & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat to address the State’s environmental issues and facilitate development of sustainable technologies. The major strength of the Commission is its ability to draw on the existing institutional and professional resources of the State and elsewhere, based on felt need. It has worked with almost all the professionally renowned institutions of the State.

The Commission’s main role is to design projects, and is also involved in their execution, monitoring and evaluation. It works in areas associated with ecological and environmental protection.

GEC is a platform for providing information and other inputs, which are needed to develop a policy and approach for ecological conservation and sustainable development. At the same time, it undertakes, on its own and in collaboration with other agencies, initiatives for the protection of ecosystems under threat and restoration of ecologically degraded zones.

Gujarat Ecology Commission, with their extensive experience in the area of environmental rejuvenation and restoration has been also chosen as the State Project Management Unit for implementation of the World Bank aided Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in the State of Gujarat.

About WAY:

World Around You is one of the few dedicated organizations that are working in the field of sustainable development using environment communication (EC) as a medium. WAY provides EC services to a wide range of clients including educational institutions, Government agencies, NGOs and corporate bodies. Since its inception WAY has innovated variety of EC programmes, events, materials, researches and strategies. WAY designs & conducts programmes for schools & innovative green campaigns to reach out to masses. WAY also develops communications like plays, brochures, booklets and animation films for knowledge & awareness. WAY also works as communication consultants to government departments for carrying out communication researches to support or enhance strategic planning.

Ahmedabad, 10 May 2012

Three days after the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team supplied Closure report and related documents to complainant Zakia Jafri, today Zakia’s lawyers complained about deficiency in the documents supplied.

“Our today’s plea was in two parts,” Teesta said.

“Many critical documents that SIT submitted are not given to us. A preliminary inquiry report by Mr. AK Malhotra on 12 May 2010, on which Raghvan analyzed and gave comments is not presented before court. We believe it’s a serious thing. Also further investigation reports are not submitted. Ashok Narayan, Gordhan Zadafia’s statements in assembly are not presented. Fire brigade register, Gujarat Home ministry’s noting on the transfer of police officers, Gujarat Law ministry’s notice on appointments of public prosecutors and Rahul Sharma’s CD of phone call records. We pointed out that we should get these documents so that we can prepare our protest petition,” she said.

“The court will hear the case on 19 May,” she added.

“Our protest petition will be argued in July-end,” she said.

Gandhinagar, 9 May 2012

State government spokespersons Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas and Minister of State for Energy Saurabh Patel have challenged the people who are spreading lies regarding the final report of Special Investigation Team (SIT) in relation to the allegations made by Mrs. Jhakiya Jafri.

Even as the Supreme Court appointed SIT has exonerated the Chief Minister, some elements have not ceased from spreading lies to mislead the people of Gujarat and to defame the Gujarat government. “They should show moral courage to accept the truth”, spokespersons said.

Mr. Vyas said that these elements have relentlessly spread falsehood during last decade. But the comprehensive report prepared by the SIT under direct supervision of the Supreme Court has brought the truth before people. This report has shattered the creditability of such falsifiers. The truth and justice has prevailed.

A clear message should go to those who are indulged in devising plots to tarnish the image of democratically elected state government of Gujarat that they have committed an unpardonable crime by obstructing the process of law instead of getting justice for victims. The people of Gujarat will never forgive these people, the spokespersons said.

The spokespersons said the history of Indian governance has seen many incidents of communal violence. But this is the first instance when the entire probe has been so exhaustively conducted. “The SIT has examined lakhs of documents, thousands of witnesses and complaints received by them, not keeping their investigations only limited to Zakia Jafri’s complaint”, they said. The SIT has prepared as many as 17 reports and in the final report it has put the truth before these falsifiers, negating their false allegations, they added.

Even after the SIT report, these elements have kept on maligning the state government by linking absolutely baseless things to the case in a bid to hide their own faults. They have kept on playing political games to fulfill their political interests, the spokespersons said.

The present state government is committed to the principals of humanitarian governance. Even in the midst of such falsehood the state government had given complete support to the judiciary. The desire of some elements to fulfill their own political ambitions has caused great harm to the victims as it has delayed the process of justice. The peace, unity and harmony among the six crore Gujaratis is of prime importance for the state government. No one can hold back the state government in its march towards progress, the spokespersons said.State government spokespersons Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas and Minister of State for Energy Saurabh Patel have challenged the people who are spreading lies regarding the final report of Special Investigation Team (SIT) in relation to the allegations made by Mrs. Jhakiya Jafri.

Even as the Supreme Court appointed SIT has exonerated the Chief Minister, some elements have not ceased from spreading lies to mislead the people of Gujarat and to defame the Gujarat government. “They should show moral courage to accept the truth”, spokespersons said.

Mr. Vyas said that these elements have relentlessly spread falsehood during last decade. But the comprehensive report prepared by the SIT under direct supervision of the Supreme Court has brought the truth before people. This report has shattered the creditability of such falsifiers. The truth and justice has prevailed.

A clear message should go to those who are indulged in devising plots to tarnish the image of democratically elected state government of Gujarat that they have committed an unpardonable crime by obstructing the process of law instead of getting justice for victims. The people of Gujarat will never forgive these people, the spokespersons said.

The spokespersons said the history of Indian governance has seen many incidents of communal violence. But this is the first instance when the entire probe has been so exhaustively conducted. “The SIT has examined lakhs of documents, thousands of witnesses and complaints received by them, not keeping their investigations only limited to Zakia Jafri’s complaint”, they said. The SIT has prepared as many as 17 reports and in the final report it has put the truth before these falsifiers, negating their false allegations, they added.

Even after the SIT report, these elements have kept on maligning the state government by linking absolutely baseless things to the case in a bid to hide their own faults. They have kept on playing political games to fulfill their political interests, the spokespersons said.

The present state government is committed to the principals of humanitarian governance. Even in the midst of such falsehood the state government had given complete support to the judiciary. The desire of some elements to fulfill their own political ambitions has caused great harm to the victims as it has delayed the process of justice. The peace, unity and harmony among the six crore Gujaratis is of prime importance for the state government. No one can hold back the state government in its march towards progress, the spokespersons said.

Bhuj, 8 May 2012

Maninagar Swaminarayan Gaadi’s Chief Priest Shri Purushottam Priyadasji (PP Swami) and Shri Swaminarayana’s murty both together were weighed against 108 kg pure silver and 108 kg pure gold in Bhuj in a Suvarna tula event. While PP Swamy’s weight is 70 kg, the murty’s weight is 38 kg. The event was held on the occasion of 50th anniversary of diksha of Acharyashri and 70th birth year of him. 12 ft high scale was decorated with flowers. The tula ceremony started wish saakar, and progressed with sopari, srifal, honey, silver and gold. As many as 35 security jawans were deployed to protect 200 kg gold.