Gujarat Chief Minister’s blog on eve of Gujarat Day

Presented below is Chief Minister of Gujarat, smt Anandiben Patel’s blog in full text on eve of foundation day of Gujarat state.

On Gujarat Gaurav Divas, come, let us have a dream today

Date : 2015-04-30

Today on the foundation day of our beloved state, ‘Gujarat Gaurav Divas’ I convey my heartiest wishes to all of you. I bow down to those visionary leaders of that time who earned us an individual identity, a separate state of ‘Gujarat’.

Today when I look back at the years gone-by, a number of memorable and not-so-memorable events flash in front of my eyes. On one hand we have happy memoirs of triumphant Industrial Revolution, White Revolution and Green Revolution in the backdrop, we boast of a new era of Gujarat on the rise under the aegis of Narendrabhai. On the other, we have bitter memories of devastating drought, floods and earthquake. But no matter what, the spirit of Gujarat and Gujaratis has always remained immortal. With progressive mindset, Gujarat has always rescued itself, galvanized itself to return to normalcy. I salute the sense of courage, culture, dignity, unity and pragmatism of each Gujarati.

Friends, today on Gujarat Gaurav Divas, let us together have a dream, a dream for Gujarat’s development journey. In this age, the whole world has chosen to be a part of the rat’s race for ‘development’. As a general perception, we look westward when we aspire for development. We have forgotten to value our heritage, our legacy. I believe that in Gujarat of our dreams, we should take pride in bonding with our roots. Our strong and rich foundation is where we truly belong.

Gujarat government is striving to harness the potential of technology and modern infrastructure in the collective progress of our villages, towns and cities. With the vision of Government of India, we have welcomed the concept of ‘smart’ cities in our state. At the same time we are working towards rurban – urban amenities in rural areas. We are making all efforts to recast the landscape of our state with latest amenities and infrastructure.

But, pause and think. Can Gujarat’s progress be scaled merely on the measures of brick and mortar or on the latest versions of our gadgets? Is that how we envision Gujarat of our dreams?

While we move ahead in our journey towards development, let us determine to stay rooted. Let us remind each other to take our morals, our value system along with us. Let us not get blinded by tangible wealth, rather prioritize on true happiness. Only then will we be able to carve a golden future for our beloved state.

We don’t need to and should not ape the west in deciding our goals, our journey ahead. Let us conceptualise our homes, roads, villages, cities, technology as per our own needs. Let us value our art, celebrate our festivals and promote our sports in a way that the world would look up to! Conserve our heritage architecture and preserve our handicrafts. Innovate and invent technology as an answer to achieve inclusive development. Let us focus on a life with good health and peace of mind.

West, of course has its own strength, mainly in the areas of science and technology. Let us redefine our inherent strengths by blending them with those.

This is my dream. And I strongly believe that we are capable to build a Gujarat of our dreams.

Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr gave an address ‘I have a dream’ that resonates even today. It deeply inspires us to have a dream for our state, our country.

Today on the foundation day of our beloved state, let us have a dream today, dream of a glorious Gujarat. And then, together work towards shaping ‘Gujarat of our dreams’.

Yours,

Anandiben