Modi addresses NRGs, attends Parade(Photos,video)

Presented above is speech of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Gujarat golden jubilee of statehood concluding ceremony event in presence of Non resident Gujaratis at Gandhinagar’s Mahatma Mandir.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi today exuded confidence that the Gujaratis who had established Gujarat’s unique identity in the state’s development would soon unleash their competence and proficiency at the global stage, too.

Addressing a World Conference of Non-Resident Gujaratis’ (NRGs) at the Mahatma Mandir here, he said that even as Gujarat’s yearlong golden jubilee celebration comes to an end, begins the state’s new golden age. The celebration also helped each Gujarati put forward his best foot forward. It is being attended by nearly 3,000 NRGs from different states of India and abroad.

Responding to the non-resident Gujaratis’ longing for the home state, he wished the emotional attachment lasts for all time to come as a formidable power to reckon with in the world.

Chief Minister announced an online global quiz competition to be launched on May 3, 2011, for the Gujarati community spreading over the world.

He asked every Gujarati family to bring at least five Non-Gujarati families on the tour of Gujarat to accelerate the tourism activities in the state.

Tourism and NRG department Minister Jaynarayan Vyas said in his welcome address that Gujaratis living in 18 states of India and 12 nations organized various programmes to celebrate the golden jubilee year of Gujarat. “In industrial development, Gujarat has reached on top from the eighth position in the past. Electricity is made available to all the villages of Gujarat during last decade and Narmda water is now being supplied to the areas of Kutch and Saurastra”, he said.

Gujarat’s agro production has increased from Rs.10,000-cr to Rs.50,000-cr, while one tenth of total milk in India is produced in Gujarat only, Mr. Vyas said.

‘Gujarat Global’ – a coffee table book was released by Chief Minister on the occasion.

Chief Minister unveiled a silver coin which was brought out by Gujaratis living in America with a view to chip in to the making of world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel – ‘Statue of Unity’ – in Gujarat.

Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava, MP Purshottam Rupala, Cabinet members, Assembly Whip Pankaj Desai, Chief Secretary A.K.Joti, IAS officers, NRGs and people in large number were present on the occasion.

Photograph above shows parade of police and para military forces in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Gujarat’s foundation day. Kenyan Vice President was the Chief Guest of this function.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagged off an impressive march-past at the central vista, extending from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue near the State Assembly to Mahatma Gandhi, to mark the concluding function of the Gujarat’s yearlong golden jubilee celebration here this evening.

Kenya’s Vice President Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, leading a 14-member delegation from his country, was present at the event as the chief guest.

In all, 2,107 uniformed personnel, including 150 women, from 58 different platoons of Paramilitary, Police Force and Mounted Police took part in the parade. It was led by three women officers, SP (Vadodara Rural) Gagandeep Gambhir, DySP (Kalol) Ushaben Rada and Ahmedabad Crime Branch PI Chetna Choudhry.

A number of cultural troupes presented the state’s tribal and traditional dance forms like Hudo, Raas and Garba. Children presented acrobatics. There were 10 police bands and some from schools.

The highlights of the programme were 26 tableaux, depicting the progress of the state in various fronts such as Narmada Canal, Panch Shakti, Oil & Gas, Tourism, Women’s Empowerment, Renewable Resources of Energy and Kids City. It was followed by a torch rally.

The event was attended by Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Chairmen of Statutory Boards and Corporations, senior officers, besides a number of Non-Resident Gujaratis living abroad and in other states of India. A large number of public cheered the participants of the march-past along the central vista.