President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar on March 24, 2022. (Photo/PIB)
Gandhinagar: The role of people’s representatives is most important in a democracy, said President Ram Nath Kovind.
He was addressing the members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly here on March 24, 2022.
The President said that the members of the Legislative Assembly are representatives of the people of their area and state.
“But the more important thing is that the people consider them to be the creators of their destiny. The hopes and aspirations of the people are associated with them. Efforts to fulfil those aspirations of the people should be paramount for all of them,” President Kovind said.
The President noted that Gujarat Legislative Assembly has taken many revolutionary steps for the overall development of this state.
“A progressive system was established in the field of local self-government and education by the Gujarat Panchayat Bill, 1961 and the Gujarat Compulsory Elementary Education Act, 1961 respectively. Gujarat is the only state where the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Act, 1999 was passed by the Legislative Assembly to encourage investment and development in infrastructure. The Gujarat Organic Agricultural University Act, 2017 passed by this Legislative Assembly in the direction of making a future-oriented law is also noteworthy.”
He praised the present and previous governments of Gujarat as well as present and past members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly of Gujarat for their contribution in the multi-faceted progress of Gujarat.
The President said that for the past few years, the Gujarat Model of Development is being seen as an imitable example that can be implemented in any region and state of the country.
“The Sabarmati Riverfront is an impressive example of urban transformation. The relationship between Sabarmati and its residents has been given a new dimension while keeping the environment safe. This can be a good example for all the other cities of the country situated on the river banks.”
The President also talked in detail about the contribution of various personalities from Gujarat, like Dadabhai Naoroji, Feroz Shah Mehta, Narsinh Mehta, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
Today, whenever there is any kind of violence in the world, the importance of Bapu’s motto, ‘Ahimsa’, is realized, President Kovind said.
The President said that the history of Gujarat is unique.
“This land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel can be called the land of Satyagraha.”
The President said that Sardar Patel gave independent India its unified form and strengthened the foundation of administration.
“His statue ‘the Statue of Unity’ on the banks of Narmada, which is the tallest statue in the world, is a small gift from a grateful nation in his memory. His stature in the hearts of people of India is even higher than that.”
The President said that apart from politics, Gujarat has also played an important role in cultural, social and economic fields. Spirituality has had a great influence on this land of Narsinh Mehta. His hymn “vaishnav jan to tene kahiye, je peed parayi jaane re” became the song of our freedom struggle.
The President noted that Gujarat has made remarkable contributions in the field of science in the modern era. While Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha is considered the father of the Indian nuclear programme, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of the Physical Research Laboratory, is respected as the pioneer of Indian science, especially India’s space research.
The President said that as we are celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is our duty to take meaningful steps for the bright future of the country while remembering our freedom fighters, so that in the year 2047 when India will be celebrating the centenary of its independence, the generation of that time will feel proud of their country. He expressed confidence that the government of India, state governments, and the citizens of the country would continue to move forward on the path of development together with the aim of making India’s centenary year a golden age. (Press Release)
