- CM Bhupendra Patel unveils major I-Day package: free housing plots, road upgrade, anganwadi nutrition boost and easier overseas-study loans
- “Gujarat is leading the way in translating the mantra of ‘Heritage to Development’ with the spirit of Nation First”
- ₹3,428 crore for upgrading 210 km of roads; 67% hike in supplementary nutrition rates for 16.75 lakh-plus anganwadi children
- Income ceiling for overseas-study loans to unreserved-category youth raised from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh
- CM pitches Gujarat as a fusion of semiconductors, AI and green energy with Ayurveda, Somnath and its cultural heritage
- Call for ‘Shakti ki Saptadhara’, ‘Rashtra Pratham’ and a developed Gujarat by 2047
NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 16
What does Independence mean when a State converts its patriotic pledge into promises on the ground—from a roof over every eligible rural family to safer roads, better nutrition for children and wider access to higher education? Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel turned the State-level 80th Independence Day celebrations at Amreli into a broad development roadmap, unveiling a clutch of welfare and infrastructure measures while calling upon Gujaratis to unite behind the twin goals of ‘Nation First’ and ‘Heritage to Development’.
Hoisting the Tricolour and taking the salute at the grand State-level celebrations at the Police Parade Ground in Amreli, Patel said Gujarat would remain at the forefront of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047.
“With the spirit of Nation First, Gujarat is leading the way in translating the mantra of ‘Heritage to Development’,” Patel said.
He said the State would play a leading role in realising the Prime Minister’s ‘Saptadhara’ vision outlined from the Red Fort for a developed India by 2047, spanning manufacturing power, agriculture and food-processing technology, innovation, Gati Shakti, defence and soft power.
Free plots for eligible rural families
In one of the major Independence Day announcements, the State Government said eligible rural families would be provided free residential plots even if private land has to be purchased by the government.
Patel said the decision was aimed at advancing the ‘Housing for All’ vision. Where adequate village-site, government wasteland or other eligible government land is unavailable with a Gram Panchayat, the State will purchase private land and allot plots free of cost to eligible families for constructing their homes.
The measure, he said, would give fresh momentum to the government’s commitment to providing shelter to needy rural families.
₹3,428 crore road push
Gujarat will allocate ₹3,428 crore for renovation and improvement of 210 km of roads covering 214 roads, with the objective of creating a safer, stronger and better-quality road network.
For heavily trafficked long State highways and major district roads, the Government plans to adopt Output and Performance Road Contracts and Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts.
The maintenance liability for contractors, currently four years, will be extended to eight to 10 years for such roads, according to the announcement.
“Accessible roads, safe travel and a strong Gujarat will receive further impetus from this decision,” the Government said.
67% nutrition boost for 16.75 lakh children
The State also announced a 67% increase in the rate for locally procured ingredients used to prepare hot supplementary nutrition for children aged three to six years attending anganwadis.
More than 16.75 lakh children receive hot supplementary nutrition for 300 days a year. The daily local procurement rate per child has been increased from ₹5.10 to ₹8.50.
The Government will make an additional allocation of ₹173 crore for implementing the decision, according to the main announcement.
Patel described the move as an investment in the future generation of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Gujarat 2047, saying nutritious food would help build healthier, stronger future citizens.
Overseas study dream gets a boost
In another significant youth-focused decision, the annual family income ceiling for availing overseas-study loans through the Gujarat Unreserved Educational and Economic Development Corporation has been raised from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
Patel said the move would ensure that financial circumstances do not become a barrier for young people from unreserved categories seeking higher education abroad.
“The State Government stands with our youth so that they do not face difficulties because of their family’s financial condition and can realise their dreams of higher education,” he said.
‘Modernity and spirituality’ — Gujarat’s development model
Patel presented Gujarat’s development journey as a combination of modern technology and civilisational heritage.
He highlighted the State’s progress in semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence and green energy, alongside projects linked to its ancient Ayurvedic heritage and the reconstruction of the Somnath temple.
“Gujarat means an extraordinary confluence of modernity and spirituality—from semiconductors, artificial intelligence and green energy to the reconstruction of Somnath,” he said.
He identified the poor, youth, farmers and women as the four key pillars of developed Gujarat.
“Poor people, youth, farmers and Nari Shakti are the four strong pillars on which the magnificent edifice of developed Gujarat is being built,” Patel said.
₹15.89 lakh-crore MoUs and a blue-economy push
Highlighting the State’s investment landscape, Patel said four Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conferences, held under the twin objectives of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local to Global’, had resulted in 13,255 MoUs worth ₹15.89 lakh crore.
He said these investments would provide fresh momentum to MSMEs, traditional industries and emerging sectors.
With a 1,600-km coastline, Gujarat contributes more than 40% of India’s total cargo handling, he said, positioning the State as a leader in the blue economy. Modern fishing harbours and cold-chain systems, he added, were helping improve the livelihoods of fishermen.
He also highlighted housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, new medical colleges and free healthcare services through taluka-level dialysis and cancer day-care centres.
‘Vande Mataram @150’ to rekindle patriotism
Remembering the freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Independence, Patel said the country was celebrating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the immortal national song composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
He said the song had infused new energy into the freedom movement and awakened a wave of patriotism among citizens.
“By preserving this sacred heritage, India today is moving rapidly towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 with the mantra of ‘Development as well as Heritage’, freeing itself from the mindset of slavery,” he said.
Patel urged citizens to work collectively towards Gujarat’s 75th foundation year in 2035 and the goal of Viksit Gujarat 2047, with the spirit of Nation First.
Patriotism, pride and Saurashtra’s cultural colour
The Independence Day celebrations began on a stirring patriotic note, with the Chief Minister hoisting the Tricolour amid an aerial flower shower, police band performances and enthusiastic slogans.
Students presented ‘Maru Amreli’, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and pride of Amreli and Saurashtra.
A bagpiper band comprising tribal girls, presented by Shakti Seva Kendra, Ambaji, emerged as a special attraction.
The celebrations also featured yoga demonstrations by police personnel, a Nari Shakti cultural programme, women’s rifle drill, motorcycle stunt show, dog show and horse show, showcasing discipline, courage, skill and training.
The event concluded with Patel greeting citizens from an open jeep and planting a tree at the Police Parade Ground, adding an environmental note to the Independence Day celebrations.
