Ahmedabad, 24 May 2013

Presented above are the pictures of Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi clicked during Young Men Christian Association(YMCA) function today morning in Ahmedabad. Modi was sitting on the stage with two bishops, and prominent persons from Christian community. Shri Modi inaugurated YMCA national council event. Prominent Christians admired Mr. Modi in their speeches and also requested him to have photos with them.

Christian religious heads and YMCA leaders laud Mr. Narendra Modi’s leadership qualities

Chief Minister Narendra Modi today welcomed the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) initiative to join Gujarat Government’s innovative youth empowerment through inclusive growth with collective efforts.

Inaugurating the national convention of Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) being held for the first time in Gujarat, he said that while Government of India has failed to evolve outsourcing of skill development model on the lines of China for the last two years, Gujarat has already done it by creating ‘skill development centres’ for lakhs of youth. Plan is afoot to start a Skill University, too.

Mr. Modi said that Gujarat has started a Chief Minister’s Fellowship programme, world class i-create incubation centre for offering almost unlimited scope for entrepreneurs. Not to be left behind in physical activities, he said, the government has started annual statewide Khel Mahakumbh, involving participation of 18-lakh athletes, including physically challenged youth, in various games and sports events to encourage spirit of sportsmanship. Lately, the government has started yoga classes for physical and mentally challenged children.

He wished that YMCA also contributed its might in the state government’s special drive for girls’ education and cent percent school enrolment.

Mr. Modi said that Gujarat has also made long strides in tourism, having made the state’s presence in the world’s tourism map. It is now keen to promote ‘conference tourism’. He wished the YMCA’s 1000-chapter convention in October 2013 be held in Gujarat.

He said that social media has great power. When he tweeted, ‘God Is Great’, after the apex court gave its judgment in his favour, he had received several messages from various quarters.

YMCA National President Ronald Williams praised Mr. Narendra Modi’s able leadership qualities and described him as ‘Pride of India’. YMCA Gujarat President John Geeverghees said that Mr. Modi’s presence has evoked great enthusiasm in the national convention. Mizoram Chief Minister lauded Mr. Modi’s leadership.

Delegates and religious heads from different states attending the four-day national convention attributed Gujarat’s development model to Mr. Modi. A large number of Bishops and Priests, including Ahmedabad Bishop Thomas Macwan, Bishop Silvansh Christian, Bishop Vinod Kumar Malviya, religious heads and YMCA office-bearers personally met Mr. Modi on the sidelines of the inaugural function.