Gandhinagar: To awaken youth power within the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor community and deliberate on key issues including de-addiction, education, employment and social development, a massive ‘Abhyuday Mahasammelan’ was organised at Ramkatha Ground in Gandhinagar.

Despite being scheduled at 3 am, thousands of people from more than 7,000 villages across Gujarat arrived at the venue well before midnight, turning the programme into a historic congregation. The central focus of the conference remained community unity, educational awareness and long-term social empowerment.

The Mahasammelan began with Saraswati Vandana, followed by traditional drum performances and garba, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Folk singer Rakesh Barot and renowned artist Kirtidan Gadhvi captivated the audience, while thousands waved flags and lit mobile phone torches in a display of unity.

At the conclusion of the programme, the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Saraswati Dham was performed at Adalaj. The proposed residential educational complex will accommodate nearly 2,000 boys and girls and aims to strengthen educational access within the community.

“I Am Rational, Not Fearful”: Alpesh Thakor

Addressing the massive gathering, Alpesh Thakor said, “Today, political leaders and social representatives have come together on one platform. Present and former ministers, MLAs and MPs are all here together. Because the conference was called at 3 am, many doubts and suspicions were raised. But I have been travelling among this society for years. After visiting every region of the state, it is clear that Alpesh Thakor did not appear overnight.”

He added, “By establishing the Thakor community organisation across Gujarat, we connected Thakors from Banaskantha to Ahmedabad. For the past 15 years, continuous efforts have been made to unite society.”

Emphasising self-reliance, he said, “Today, the biggest leaders of our society are not seen holding top positions, but efforts are now being made to make our youth SPs and Collectors. Society must raise its collective thinking and learn from communities that have progressed earlier.”

Highlighting unity and responsibility, Alpesh Thakor stated, “We must awaken for our rights and responsibilities. Those who share the same pain must unite and care for one another. The Thakor community of Gujarat must fight its own battle.”

On the proposed Saraswati Dham educational complex, he said, “The government has provided land at 50 percent of the market value. Though it is expensive for society, we have accepted it. Saraswati Dham will accommodate 2,000 sons and daughters and shape their future. Society must create institutions at taluka and district levels. Educational complexes are now being developed across Gujarat.”

He further stated, “If I feel that I cannot contribute anything meaningful through politics, I will leave politics.”

Announcing future plans, he said that eight more buildings will be constructed in the coming years, adding,
“In 2036, a daughter of our society will stand here as an SP or Collector and deliver a speech. This is the third midnight gathering in the history of the country. I am rational, but I am not fearful.”

Vikram Thakor Urges Vyasan-Mukt Thakor Samaj

Actor Vikram Thakor delivered an emotionally charged address, calling for the creation of a Vyasan-Mukt (addiction-free) Thakor society. Despite being occupied with a family wedding, he honoured the invitation of Alpesh Thakor and arrived at the venue at 3 am.

He praised Alpesh Thakor’s long-standing commitment to social service and acknowledged the continuous efforts being made to unite and uplift the community through organised initiatives.

During his speech, Vikram Thakor stressed that addiction has been the primary reason the community has lagged behind in education and development. He urged youth to stay away from substance abuse, embrace education, and abandon social evils such as child marriage.

Supporting the proposed Saraswati Dham educational complex, he said it would be the responsibility of young people to fully utilise the facility once completed.

He concluded by motivating the gathering with the message “Bhano ane Bhanavo” (Learn and educate others), and by singing lines from his popular song “Jago Jago Thakoro Jago, Jamano Badlayo,” encouraging educational, social and ideological awakening within the community.

“Our Society Must Become IAS–IPS”: Geniben Thakor

Addressing the Mahasammelan, Congress MP Geniben Thakor said the community must move beyond limited employment roles and aim for top administrative positions.

“Our society must now move from being peons and security guards to becoming IAS and IPS officers,” she said. “Families should pledge that daughters will be married only after completing Class 12. Special hostels for girls must be built in every taluka.”

Calling for statewide unity, she added, “Communities from North, South and Central Gujarat, as well as Saurashtra, must unite. Time waits for no one. Educational institutions must be strengthened, and in this age of technology, youth must prepare themselves for dignified employment.”

She further said, “In social service, even not becoming an obstacle is a great service. We will not allow the future of society to go waste. Saraswati Dham must be made functional at the earliest.”

Former MLA Baldevji Thakor, addressing the gathering, said, “This is the third time in the country that people have gathered in such large numbers after midnight. When the nation gained Independence, the country remained awake till 6 am. The second time was when Jayaprakash Narayan called a 6 am meeting in Bihar. Today, for the third time, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena has brought lakhs together at midnight in Gandhinagar.”

Cabinet Minister Raman Singh Solanki, MP Shobhanaben Baraiya, and other leaders stated that the primary objective of the Mahasammelan was to ensure that children of the community advance in education and employment, stressing that social development is impossible without academic empowerment.

The conference witnessed the presence of prominent leaders including Alpesh Thakor, Dhavalsinh Zala, Geniben Thakor, Jaysinh Chauhan, D. Jagdish Thakor, Amaratji Thakor, Raman Singh Solanki, Keshaji Thakor, Sanjaysinh Mahida, Shobhanaben Baraiya, Baldevji Thakor and actor Vikram Thakor.

Participants described the gathering not merely as a conference, but as a social movement.

Community members stated that their collective call is for the Thakor society to become addiction-free, educated and united, and that the Abhyuday Mahasammelan has delivered a powerful message in that direction. DeshGujarat