This is how he reached America – through video conferencing

Gandhinagar, 2 September 2012

In the wee hours of Sunday, 2nd September 2012, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed ‘Chaalo Gujarat 2012.’ Chaalo Gujarat is a World Gujarati Conference that is currently going on in USA. It is organized by the Association of Indian Americans of North America (AIANA). Shri Modi spoke on the development of Gujarat and some of Gujarat’s new initiatives such as the Gutka Mukti Abhiyan.

And this is what he spoke to NRI Gujaratis participating in Chalo Gujarati conference

The Chief Minister sought active support and participation in the Gutka Mukti Abhiyan that seeks to comprehensively ban Gutka from the state from 11th September 2012. He asked the audience to give a missed call on 8000980009 to support this and save the youth from the menace of cancer.

Saluting the 6 lakh Karma Yogis of the state Government, Shri Modi said that Gujarat’s development journey has been possible because the Government does not have a typical attitude of a ‘Shasak’ (administering from ivory towers) but that of a ‘Sevak’ (serving the people). He lauded them for dawning the mantle of service and contributing to the progress of the state.

Being the 50th anniversary of Panchayat Raj in India, Shri Modi talked about the state Government’s initiative of honoring all those elected representatives who have served their local bodies since the creation of Gujarat in 1960. He said that most people who would be honored would belong to the Congress but this is a matter of Rashtraniti (nation building) and cannot be seen from the narrow prism of Rajniti (politics).

Reminding the audience that this is an election year, Shri Modi urged the audience to personally write letters to their near and dear ones back home asking them to participate in this important festival of democracy and shun all forms of money power or politics of casteism and vote for development. He also urged the members of the diaspora who have Indian passports to exercise their franchise from their respective countries by filling Form 6 that will enable them to vote. Shri Modi invited the audience for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit and thanked the organizers for inviting him to address this special gathering.

Political shots

-When 21st century arrived, one thing discussed was whether India will be a major power or China? It is unfortunate that for last seven eight years there’s such a government sitting in Delhi that the nation is grounded before take off.

-When we speak about Sardar Patel, they think like we have snatched away Sardar from them. There’s one family that doesn’t like someone talking about Sardar Patel. This one family is the biggest obstruction the country is facing today.

-When we organize Vanthambhi vikasyatra, some people find it political and they say that such programmes are held in view of upcoming elections. But all I am saying is that if for winning the elections, we kick start development works worth crores of rupees, what’s wrong in it. They have their central government, and they too are welcomed to start a development drive ahead of the elections. In fact I ask them to come and show what they can do for the state. They would not do such things and only throw allegations. At least they can repair the railway bridges.