Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel’s blog: On the shoulders of giants

Gandhinagar, DeshGujarat

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, in her latest blog – ‘On the shoulders of giants’said that Gujarat government has a clear vision to put the state’s growth on autopilot mode and to lead it on the path of futuristic development.

She said that Gujarat is ahead of others because it has received support and guidance from the giants like Gandhiji, Sardar Patel and Narendra Modi.

Here is the text of the Chief Minister’s blog:

Dear Friends,

Gujarat was privileged to hosted two back-to-back high profile events in the first fortnight of the New Year. With Pravasi Bharatiya Divas followed by Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the name of Gujarat kept reverberating not just in India but across the whole world. The land of Gujarat was brimming with people from across the country and annual International Kite Festival added more vibrancy to the festive atmosphere in the state.

Both, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas & Vibrant Gujarat Summit had special significance this year. While this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was being celebrated to mark centenary year of Gandhiji’s return to India from South Africa, Vibrant Gujarat Summit attained a new height with world’s changed perception towards India after May 2014. With 8 country partners, more than 25000 delegates from 120 countries, CEOs from more than 300 leading companies, the scale of 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit was much bigger than in the past. For me it became all the more special as it was the first summit for me as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The most defining moment during the entire summit was to see dignitaries from world-over speaking the language of Gujarat. When Secretary General of United Nations Mr Ban Ki-Moon said “Kem Chho, Tamne Maline Anand Thayo”, ( How are you are, it was nice meeting you! ) it felt like our determination to scale new avenues of development has got the world talking our language.

Today, when I sit-back and think of it, I feel extremely blessed to have got the opportunity to lead the hosting of such a grand event. So many nitty-gritties were involved! Even if a small thing going wrong would have led to chaos! I do not have any words to thank the Almighty for granting us such a great success. It would have not been possible without divine grace.

I thank everyone right from Union Ministers to my cabinet colleagues to Team Gujarat to the citizens of Gujarat for the success of these high-profile events. I also thank media for beautifully covering both the events that boosted the image of Gujarat being a competent state. The hard work of numerous people paid off.

Friends, there are two things about these events which I find noteworthy. First, the coming together of our Indian brothers & sisters residing in different parts of the world to Gujarat to mark the centenary of the return of Gujarat’s great son Mahatma Gandhi’s to his soil. Second, since centuries our Gujarati brothers & sisters have been going overseas for business and now the global business community is converging under one roof at Vibrant Gujarat. It feels the entire wheel of time has come full circle.

The sun’s transit towards north has brought new rays of brightness for India and the entire world. I would say that Vibrant Gujarat Summit has marked the beginning of a new chapter of progress, prosperity and peace for India and the world.

This atmosphere of a new hope, a new awakening is captured beautifully by a poet in these verses:

કાલચક્રની વીંધી કાલિમા

ઉજાસને અવ નહીં કોઈ સીમા

જ્યોતિ આજે પ્રગટી ઊઠી

જાણે નવ-રંગી પરવાળાઅજવાળાં અજવાળાં આજે અજવાળાં અજવાળાં

(Meaning: Crossing the darkness of times, the light has lit today, bringing boundless glow all around like colorful corals)

Friends, in the days to come, our state will continue to progress with vision to make Gujarat a ‘Smart State’. Gujarat has created a unique identity for itself among all the states of India. The whole country and the world have its eye set on the next step that Gujarat would take.

There is a saying: If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Gujarat’s great sons Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and now Narendrabhai Modi have been a beacon for its exemplary success. It is their vision and leadership that has helped us carve a niche for ourselves. I feel extremely fortunate of being the Chief Minister of a progressive state that stands on the shoulders of such giants.

I call on each and every Gujarati to optimize on the strong foundation we have by supporting state government’s endeavor to put Gujarat in line with developed countries of the world.

And let me tell you the name of the poet whose verses I cited above. Well, the author of the poem is none else but architect of Vibrant Gujarat, NarendrabhaiModi. These verses are from his book – ‘Aankhaadhanyachhe’ (Blessed are my eyes) and title of the poem is – Aash(hope).

Yours,

Anandiben

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