Narendra Modi interacting with youths ahead of his one-day fast event in Kutch district’s Mandvi

Mandvi/Bhuj, 2 February 2012

Concluding his one-day Sadbhavana fast in Mandavi in Kutch Chief Minister Narendra Modi said the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has no right to be in power after the clear verdict from the Supreme Court today regarding the telecom scam.

“I am not demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation based on some baseless lies. The Apex Court has made the matter clean. Now the people want the Prime Minister to come out of silence and give answer”, he said.

The people of India have never seen before the scams of such big amounts. The rulers in Centre have ruined the country in a bid to please a handful of vested interests. The Central government is not only trying to save Mr. Chidambaram but it is also trying to guard other looters of Rs.1,65,000 crore telecom scam in a bid to save its regime, said Mr. Modi.

Referring to the opposition party in Gujarat, Mr. Modi said it is indulged in spreading lies to disturb the atmosphere of peace in the State.

It is noteworthy that as many as 20,674 people voluntarily observed fast with the Chief Minister today. A sea of humanity thronged the venue of fast conveying support to the motives behind Sadbhavna Mission. Chief Minister announced development projects worth Rs.2165 crore for Kutch district. At Kranti Tirth, the Chief Minister thrown open a touch-screen kiosk based on the life of Swami Vivekananda.

Talking about the development in Kutch Mr. Modi said once a drought-prone region of Kutch has now become an exporter of bananas and kesar mangos. This year’s Ran Utsav has become instrumental providing income of Rs.25 crore to the people of Kutch, he added.

By Tejash Modi, Saputara, 2 February, 2012

Even in least populated, remote and forest district of Dang in south Gujarat, Amitabh Bachchan had its crowd. So big, that he was almost rescued by the crew once today. Watch this brief video presented above.

Ahmedabad, 1 February, 2012

The Gujarat High Court today rejected a petition seeking a direction to the Nanavati Commission to call Chief Minister Narendra Modi for questioning in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots. The court held that it was the discretion of the commission whether to summon a person or not.

A division bench of Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice Sonia Gokani had last week reserved its order on a petition by the NGO Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM) representing some of the riot victims in the Nanavati Commission. The NGO is now likely to appeal in the Supreme Court.

The petitioner had approached the High Court after the Commission of Justice G T Nanavati and Justice Akshay Mehta, probing the 2002 riot cases, had rejected JSM’s plea to summon Mr Modi for cross-examination. NGO operator advocate, Mukul Sinha, had submitted in the court that Mr Modi should be summoned by the Commission as the role of the Chief Minister falls within the ambit of the probe panel’s inquiry.

The Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) had questioned Mr Modi over the riots for over 10 hours in 2010.

Anand, 31 January 2012

During Sadbhavana fast in milk-city Anand, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced that a new Power Station will be set up at the cost of Rs. 1400 crore at Dhuvaran in Anand district.

“Gujarat will answer every sabotage, that is plotted against it, with Sadbhavana weapon”, he said adding that people wearing political spectacles on their eyes could never know the real spirit of Sadbhavana Mission, that solely depends upon peace, harmony, brotherhood and unity of six crore people of Gujarat.

Mr. Modi, while criticizing Union Government said, Union Government, in its last year budget announced that they would take up a pilot project to connect 3000 villages with broad band connectivity in India, while Gujarat Government, in the year 2008, had already connected all the 18 thousand villages of the State with broad band connectivity. That’s the development policy of Gujarat, he added. “Their policy is “Divide and Rule while our policy is Inclusive Growth-Collective Efforts”, Mr. Modi said.

Shri. Modi announced a development package of Rs. 2845 crore for the all round development of Anand district. Out of this, Rs. 1400crore will be allocated for setting up a new Power Station at Dhuvaran. Rest of the amount will be spent for building new roads and bridges, urban housing projects, implementing new water supply schemes, strengthening health and education sector , and to develop infrastructural facilities in the district .

Religious leaders from various communities, people from all section of society, sports persons, journalists, physically handicapped and mentally challenged children, school children, women-house wives, teenagers, NRI families, a group of Tibetian people, South Indian group, Merchant Association, jeans-clad youngsters and old persons and thousands of Maldhari people in their traditional dresses met shri. Modi, and extended their strong support towards the noble cause of Sadbhavana Mission Fast. As many as 11114 people of the district voluntarily observed Sadabhavana Fast with Chief Minister at the same venue to show their solidarity with CM. Health Minister Jai Narayanbhai Vyas, Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel, Education Minister Ramanlal Vora, State Minister for Law and Judiciary Pradeepsinh jadeja, Ministers Ranjitbhai Gilitwala, Liladharbhai Vaghela, Jitubhai Sukhadia, Ishwarsinh Patel, Sundersinh Chauhan, Dy. Chief Whip Ambalal Rohit, Popular TV Star Smruti Irani (Tulsi), BJP National vice president Purushottam Rupala, Ex Union Minister Satpal Malik were also present on the dais. Guardian Secretary Saneeta Singh and Collector Avantika Sinh were also present. As thousands of people across the district gathered at Akshar Farm campus to greet the CM, the large stage was flooded with flower bouquets and mementoes.

Ahmedabad, 30 January 2012

Today’s eye-catching story is published in Gujarat Samachar.

As per this report. in last four years total 10,784 children were missing. Of them 3,142 children are yet not found.

The report informs that as per the Supreme Court guideline, CID Crime has been made a nodal agency to deal with this serious issue.

As per the report, 2655 children were missing in 2008, of them 369 are not found, similarly in 2681 children were missing in 2009 and 485 are not found. 2890 children were missing in 2010 and 704 are still not found, in 2011, 2558 children were missing and 1584 are still not found.

The police has to take this issue seriously because human trafficking is worst menace(watch the video above).

By Tejash Mody, Surat, 28 January 2012

On the occasion of inauguration of industrial exhibition in Surat organized by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries yesterday, Gujarat minister of state for Industry Shri Saurabh Patel presented a state scan of Gujarat’s industrial sector and challenges the sector is likely to face in coming days. Presented above is a video of Shri Saurabh Patel’s speech. Some major points of Shri Patel’s speech are presented below.

“Gujarat is going at fast pace. Shri Rohitbhai talked about economic slow down, and we are preparing our budget, but good signs are that this year also we are going to have double digit growth rate. So when the country is talking about something between seven and eight, we are sure that by end of 31st March, we will be able to show much better result.”

“From 1960 to 2002, forty two years the total plan size of all governments put together was 50,500 crores. From 2002-2007 49,500 crore 2007-2012 we will be crossing 1,50,000 now you know why decade is ours.”

Slowdown? Not in Gujarat

“Practically if you look at it, we are on automatic mode since last four five years, and this is resulted in VET collection this year has growth of more than 25%. When you talk about economic slow down there are three parameters which usually have effect of slowdown. Number one is VET collection, second is the energy consumption on industrial side which compared to last year is always 10% higher and third is transaction of land and building stamp duty, all three have shown a positive trend. Direct collection in Gujarat is also much higher, so people have paid good amount of tax.”

“I was talking with one of the big Oil majors in one of the functions, and he said the petroleum ministry called their marketing person asking why is it that in Gujarat their consumption is higher compare to other states. And the minister was replied that it is not only in petrochemicals side but everywhere.”

“Government of Gujarat has concentrated on providing infrastructure and this is one of the main reasons why the growth rate is good.”

“There are three four issues which I feel are going to be major concern for all over the country. But positively we will be out of that.”

And therefore newer inquiries for setting up industry in Gujarat keep coming

“One of the most important is availability of energy and financial condition of utilities. Three four months back the energy minister called a meeting of all the energy ministers of country on only one point agenda and that was health of utilities. Imagine that in the country the losses of all utilities put together will reach one lakh crore this year. How can you provide power. On one side you don’t have money to buy coal, then how you would provide electricity? And can you imagine that Gujarat is not only self sufficient but on much better place. This year alone from 13000 MW, we will be reaching 18,000 MW in a span of next eight to ten months. Unfortunate part is today 20 million units we are backing down. The reason is the country doesn’t have power on one side, there’s load sharing of 8-10 hours, and even at the rate of Rs 3.80 there are no buyers in country because of lack of finance.”

“Now why I am telling you? That’s because automatically the strength of Gujarat is going to be surplus power, which will drive industries from other parts of the country to the state. It is because if you need to run generator for 6-8 hours daily, which industry will sustain? And therefore newer inquiries keep coming. So the problem of the country is beneficiary to the state because of our infrastructure.”

Fuel and prices of fuels due to inefficiencies, a major issue

“Biggest second issue that the country is facing today is availability of fuel and the price of fuel. Because of inefficiencies in the sector especially coal, availability of coal is not there as per requirement. Can you imagine 15 top industrial houses producing generating power meet starting from energy minister, coal minister, environment minister, planning commission deputy chairman and finaly the prime minister on one single day and informing them what is going to happen in near future if the government of India doesn’t take quick decision. Because of inefficiency, mining output is not as per what it should be, they have increased coal prices and due to deteriorating system they have raised coal prices in range of 25% to 125% on 1st of January. After various representations before the power ministry and coal ministry, it is possible that there will be brake on coal price rise, but the decision it seems will not be reversed entirely, and there will be some increase at least. So pricing of coal, and pricing and non-availability of gas are going to be very important parameters as far as the industries are concerned.”

Land availability a major issue, Gujarat model of acquiring land

“Other issue is availability of land. And Government of Gujarat through GIDC has come up with a very aggressive policy. And as per that the price of land is determined by third party which is going to be based on market rate. And added to this, for livelihood, we give one percent commercial land to farmers at one rupee token, so that they continue to get income. Plus employment is given, and most important is that we give them profit on the development of that land into estate. Suppose Rs 100 are paid for the land, after construction if the land is sold at Rs 500 with road etc, then we give 10% on that Rs 400 difference. This way we are acquiring huge chunks of land especially in Sanand and Dahej. Unfortunately politics comes in a way, people are provoked. Recently a meeting was held in Dahej, but it didn’t get response. Such people bring politics and create speed breakers which make our progress delayed.”

Industries must be ready for desalination, high cost of water

“One more issue is water which we have to tackle now. It is very important that if Gujarat has to maintain this, desalination plants have to come up on the sea shore. It is expensive but it is going to be the matter of concern. It should be realized that agriculture growth is equally important. For development of industry, for increase in purchasing power, the income of the farmers has to increase. And the strength behind growth of Gujarat industries is that purchasing power of farmers has also increased.”

“Today we have double digit growth rate even in agriculture sector. Because of growth in agri sector growth there’s wide distribution of income and this is a very important sector which will require water in big quantum. And hence the industry has to get used to high cost of water over a period of time and desalination should be one of the important aspect to solve the issue of water.”

GST will being tax on diamonds, chamber should study GST

“Government of India committee is working on the GST model right now. It is very important that the trade and industry should study the implications of GST because it is going to have a long term effect. Unfortunately none of our trade asociations in the state or at the national level have been aggressive as far as GST is concerned. Nore they have gone through the advantages and disadvantages of the same. It is very important that SME, and chambers should understand the implication and see that in days to come they are not harmed by the new implementation through the changes in law.”

“I will just give a small example. Diamond will be having tax under GST. So you can understand what will happen to Surat. The strength of Gujarat is employment through diamonds. We have villages that enjoy huge employment in diamond sector.”

The minister concluded his speech with details of preparations of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 and Gujarat’s march on the path of development through SIR and SEZs.

Ahmedabad, 28 January 2012

A 53-member unit of SAB TV’s popular daily serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was recently in Kutch for shooting of few episodes. Here are the episodes. While initial episodes are about journey to Kutch, the latter episodes are from Kutch.

Vadodara, 27 January, 2012

For media persons in Vadodara, it was a very interesting brief session with Dr Subramanian Swamy. Though it was a holiday on 26 January, scribes were overwhelmingly present to meet Dr. Swamy and to ask this important man couple of questions. Here are two-three questions that are related to Gujarat. We are putting them here to ensure that like what happened in past, no Gujarat based media house knowingly or unknowingly misinterpret what Swamy said in reference to any matter that is linked to Narendra Modi.

Q:What is your take on Nitn Gadkari’s recent statement that Modi has potential to become the Prime Minister of India?

Dr. Swamy: Who can not be? You people ask such question and then bring them in manipulating way. If you ask me whether Nitin Gadkari is capable, I would say yes he also is capable, you can be, anyone can be. You need to come out of the mentality that only someone from Nehru family can be the Prime Minister. You people should come out of that impression. In this country all are capable.

Q:About potential that Modi has for the post of PM?

Dr Swamy: About potential, well it’s a matter of destiny, and you should ask this to the God or to some real swamy, I am just an ordinary swamy. I know Dr Manmohan Singh for last 40 years but I never thought he would become Prime Minister. I never thought Dev Gauda would become Prime Minister. I had seen IK Gujral in India International Centre having a coffee, I never thought he would become the PM, so if such people become Prime Minister, how can one say who would become the PM and who would not!

Q: What’s your take on Gujarat Lokayukta issue?

Dr.Swamy:There could be no problem if Lokayukta was an institution. But the way they have made it is like that the Lokayukta would be Congress’s man. And they are adamant for making such person a Lokayukta. Modi correctly challenged it in High Court, and now the matter is in Supreme Court. Let’s see what happens in Supreme Court. Either Lokayukta or Lokpal, it’s success depends on who would sit on that post. Here Congress is adamant on particular name and Governor office was misused and they made him to office, now when High Court has said it’s right, we would see what Supreme Court says on this.

Interaction with students

Vadodara, 27 January 2012

In Yugaantar youth meet, held at MS University in Vadodara, Gujarat, Dr. Subramanian Swamy delivered a 58-minute long speech and also replied questions asked by the students on various subjects like his DNA article, decentralization and cluster development, reservation system among others. Dr. Swamy’s entire speech and conversation with students has been presented in the video above.

Vadodara, 27 January 2012

Dr. Subramanian Swamy had a brief talk with media persons in Vadodara on Thursday afternoon before he gave a speech in Yugaantar function which was held at the MS University here. Shri Swamy’s candid replies are presented briefly in text below. For full replies watch the video presented above. Also couple of more videos on other question answers from same conference have been posted in separate posts.

-General VK Singh issue is thanks to Quatrachi and Sonia. When they came to realize that VK Singh would will become commander Chief and would stay on this post for longer time that the person they wanted to bring on this post would retire before that, they created this issue. Our commander in chief is being harassed because he is honest. Sonia Gandhi has habit of make earning through every defense contract. This has started since Bofors scam. Congress is involve in spoiling our all important institutions.

-On 4 February, the court will decide whether I have presented such evidences that Chidambaram can be made an accused. This will be followed by his trial and then sentence. As he is serving on an important post, he can influence the witnesses, and therefore like Raja hw will surely go to jail, if court accepts my point, and given the fact that I have solid proof, he will face jail.

-DMK will celebrate if Chidambaram is fixed. Chidambaram’s boss is Manmohan Singh. His rehnuma(guide) is Vish Kanya, Tadaka alias Sonia Gandhi.

-Vadra has major share in a telecom company so in 2G scam, I will name Vadra before Sonia.

-Difference between me and Anna Hazare is only that, I can catch thieves even under present laws, so what if with some delay, while Annaji wants new law. He believes that only after Janlokpal , we can jail those corrupt people. I don’t have any problem with new law, but I believe that until a new law comes, we can not sit idle.

-I am not Congress’s enemy, I am enemy of Sonia Gandhi. I have good friends in Congress even today.

Vadodara, 27 January 2012

You need to watch this video which is 9 second long to have a taste of Tamil Brahmin’s art of replying to the question.

Dr. Swamy was asked, “you have taken stand against big persons, aren’t you afraid?”

Dr. Swamy replied, “to hum koi chhote hai?”

Not just the reply, but the spirit of this man who is almost single handedly fighting against the regime is realized in his short answer.