Gandhinagar: The entire country is soaked in patriotic fervour as we celebrate 75 glorious years of India’s Independence. This is an occasion to remember and pay homage to the celebrated as well the unsung freedom fighters, revolutionary leaders, and soldiers, who were instrumental and determined to free the country from British rule.

PM Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to celebrate ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The beginning of this patriotic campaign was made on March 12, 2021, at Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Ashram.

6.5 crore Gujaratis are celebrating the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ with much zest, vigour, and fervour. Gujarat’s contribution to the freedom struggle has been etched in the golden pages of history. The contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, and several others is intangible. In those days, Sabarmati Ashram was the epicenter of the Indian Freedom Struggle with leaders, thinkers, social workers, and soldiers assembling under the guidance of Gandhiji to chalk out strategies to free India from the British. The famous Dandi Salt March, a non-violent civil disobedience act, which Gandhiji embarked upon from Sabarmati Ashram, jolted the very foundation of the British empire in India.

‘Iron Man’ Vallabhbhai Patel led the Bardoli Satyagraha whose success earned him the title of ‘Sardar.’ Sardar Patel took upon himself the extremely daunting task of unifying 562 princely states into a unified India. To immortalize this accomplishment, PM Modi envisioned a fitting tribute to Sardar Patel by building the World’s Tallest Statue – the Statue of Unity.

Apart from Gandhiji and Sardar Patel, the contribution of Shyamji Krishna Verma, Madam Bhikaji Cama, Sardarsinh Rana and several Gujaratis in India’s freedom struggle is unforgettable.

Moreover, Gujarat’s tribal communities were equally instrumental in the Indian Freedom Struggle. Post-Independence, the memories of several important leaders and their associated events were erased and their contributions overlooked.

As many as 1,500 tribals led by Govind Guru were martyred while fighting the British army in Mangadh village of Panchmahal district on November 17, 1913. In the Sabarkantha district, around 1,200 Adivasis were mercilessly shot by the British in Pal Chitariya and Dadhvaav villages on March 7, 1922. This incident went down in the annals of history as ‘Gujarat’s Jalianwala Bagh.’ During Narendra Modi’s tenure as the Chief Minister, a martyr’s memorial was constructed to immortalize the martyrdom of tribals.

When Gujarat became a state on May 1, 1960, there were a large number of challenges that lay ahead. Separating from a prosperous state like Maharashtra, Gujarat began its journey to statehood with firm determination. Agriculture was the mainstay of India’s economy. But Gujarat was reeling under acute water shortage and scanty rainfall, resulting in a massive agriculture crisis. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, the people of Gujarat with their immense self-respect and zest undertook humongous efforts to make the state a leader not just in agriculture but in all sectors of development.

Gujarat entered the Golden Era of development from the day Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister. The devastating earthquake of 2001 razed a large number of houses to the ground and left thousands dead. However, Modi not only brought the state out of this calamitous situation but turned it into an opportunity to chart an expeditious development path. Modi redefined leadership with his visionary policies and pro-people approach. As a result, Gujarat has been able to establish itself as a ‘Model of Development’ in India and the world. The state has gained fame as the ‘Growth Engine’ of India.

The two decades of development have become a subject of research too. Under the Modi regime, Gujarat has ushered in a new green revolution in agriculture. In the blistering heat of April and May, Modi launched the ‘Krishi Mahotsav’ and traversed the length and breadth of the state’s rural areas to gift new technologies and equipment to farmers. As a result, Gujarat is writing a new chapter in agricultural revolution by producing 83.25 lakh metric tonnes of grains today, compared to 23.48 lakh tonnes in 2002. The irrigation facilities have witnessed a massive turnaround thanks to the Sardar Sarovar Dam and 69,000 km of canal network that has been supplemented by lakhs of check dams. The milk production in Gujarat has increased to 159 lakh metric tonnes from 60 lakh metric tonnes in 2002 following a concerted campaign of Animal Health Fairs to focus on the well-being of cattle.

In education, a major concern was the drop-out rate of girls in schools. Narendra Modi initiated the ‘Kanya Kelavani’ and ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ to encourage children, especially girls, to go to school. This has resulted in a significant decrease in the drop-out rate and increased the number of children going to schools. Setting up of Vidhya Samiksha Kendra for real-time online monitoring of schools has been a initiative that has earned global accolades. Twenty years ago, Gujarat had 21 universities only. These have now increased to 102. Similarly, there has been a significant increase in the number of engineering and medical seats.

In the industrial sector, Gujarat has always been leading from the front. Narendra Modi initiated the Vibrant Gujarat Summit to showcase the state’s potential and attract investors and industrialists. Two decades ago, the industrial was ₹ 1.27 lakh crore, which has now jumped to ₹16.19 lakh crore. The number of MSMEs has nearly quadrupled to 8.66 lakh from 2.74 lakh. Gujarat is ranked as the top state in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). GIFT City is emerging as a global hub for financial services.

Gujarat has made notable progress in the health sector too. Schemes like ‘MA’ and ‘MA Amrutam’ cards have ensured affordable and easy access to healthcare for poor and middle-class families. The number of doctors and nurses has tripled in 20 years while the infant mortality rate has decreased by 55% and the delivery rate in hospitals has been 99.5%.

Peace and safety have been the foundations of Gujarat’s development. Communal riots have become a thing of the past. The state’s police are equipped with body-worn cameras, interceptor vans, and speed guns to maintain law and order. Gujarat has set an example in public safety by undertaking projects like VISHWAS and CYBER AASHVAST. The state is home to India’s first Forensic University too, which has helped detect major crimes across the country with the use of modern technologies.

Gujarat has clocked an outstanding performance in employment generation and the Start-up ecosystem.The government has announced a start-up policy to encourage youngsters to innovate through attractive incentives. For three consecutive years, Gujarat has been on the top of national start-up rankings.

Success in the energy sector is an important indicator of a state’s development. Gujarat has taken a giant leap in this area. Today, the electricity production in the state has touched 40,138 Megawatts compared to 8,750 Megawatts in 2002. Renewable energy production has gone up to a whopping 16,588 MW compared to a minuscule 99 MW 20 years ago. Nearly 1,171 MW of power is being generated through solar roof-tops installed at three lakh locations. Besides, the state also has a gas pipeline network of 40,000 km.

Gujarat has also implemented special schemes for the welfare of deprived and backward classes. The government has also ensured that the benefits of the schemes reach people in the most remote areas too. Various services are being given at the doorsteps of beneficiaries through ‘Seva Setu’ programs.

Under the ‘Ujjwala Yojana,’ nearly 35 lakh gas connections have been given, which has given relief to women from the poisonous fumes of the chulha. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 6.24 lakh and 3.21 lakh houses have been built for poor families living in urban and rural areas respectively. More than 43 lakh houses have been provided with toilet facilities too.

To add, the work to construct 75 Amrit Savorars in every district is in full swing. As a part of ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ Hon’ble PM Shri Modi has called upon the people to build these lakes to ensure water security.

PM’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign aimed to instill a patriotic feeling among people and has received an unprecedented response in Gujarat. While celebrating this glorious year, Gujarat is committed to scaling new heights of development. The state government is on its toes for the welfare and prosperity of the people of Gujarat. We are firmly resolved to creating Gujarat that will fulfill the aspirations of the 6.5 crore people of the state.

DeshGujarat