NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, OCT 29
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on Friday morning on a two-day Gujarat visit during which he is scheduled to launch a host of projects, including the famed seaplane service between Kevadiya and Ahmedabad, said an official on Thursday.
Prime Minister to participate in the Ekta Diwas Celebrations at Kevadia, Gujarat on 31st Octoberhttps://t.co/O5uBtNOqvb
via NaMo App pic.twitter.com/NYETV1BRs3— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) October 29, 2020
In a slight change in the original schedule, Modi is expected to visit the grieving family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel in Gandhinagar after he arrives at the Ahmedabad airport.
ભાજપાના વરિષ્ઠ આગેવાન અને ગુજરાતના પૂર્વ મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી કેશુભાઈ પટેલના પાર્થિવ દેહને શ્રદ્ધાસુમન અર્પણ કરતા માન. મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી @vijayrupanibjp, નાયબ મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી @Nitinbhai_Patel અને પ્રદેશ અધ્યક્ષ શ્રી @CRPaatil pic.twitter.com/DrZ6VygS6K
— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) October 29, 2020
The 92-year-old BJP stalwart died here on Thursday morning due to prolonged illness.
Projects to ensure safety of dams, enhance water security of the country and support sustainable development while creating employment opportunities. pic.twitter.com/Tqb8Klj6c0
— Vijay Rupani (Modi Ka Parivar) (@vijayrupanibjp) October 29, 2020
Modi paid rich tributes to Patel through a series of tweets and said the veteran leader had mentored and groomed many younger workers, including him.
“Our family has been informed that PM Modi would come to our residence in Gandhinagar on Friday morning to share our pain,” said Keshubhai Pate’s son, BJP leader Bharat Patel.
The PM will then leave for Kevadiya in the Narmada district.
ગુજરાતના પૂર્વ મુખ્યમંત્રી, ભારતીય જનતા પાર્ટીના ભીષ્મ પિતામહ તથા પાટીદાર સમાજના મોભી એવા સ્વ. કેશુભાઈ પટેલના દુઃખદ અવસાન પર દુઃખની લાગણી અનુભવુ છું. પરમ કૃપાળુ પરમાત્મા તેમના દિવ્ય આત્માને શાંતિ અર્પે તેવી પ્રાર્થના સહ શ્રદ્ધાંજલી પાઠવું છું. pic.twitter.com/f345wGr1oO
— Nitin Patel (Modi ka Parivar) (@Nitinbhai_Patel) October 29, 2020
This will be Modi’s first visit to his home state since the coronavirus outbreak in Gujarat in March-end.
According to the official, Modi would take a helicopter ride from the Ahmedabad airport to reach Kevadiya.
During his trip, Modi would also pay tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the ”Statue of Unity” near Kevadiya on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the first Home Minister of independent India on October 31, said the official.
Modi would arrive at Kevadiya on the afternoon of October 30, he said.
He would first inaugurate the Sardar Patel Zoological Park, popularly known as Jungle Safari, developed near the 182-metre tall “Statue of Unity” which is dedicated to the “Iron Man” of India.
The zoo houses wild animals and birds brought from all over the world.
Later, the PM would inaugurate a boat service that would operate in the Narmada river between the statue and Shreshth Bharat Bhavan, around 4km away, according to the schedule.
The PM is expected to take a boat ride after the inauguration of the service, the official said.
Modi would then inaugurate Ekta Mall near the statue where tourists can buy handicraft items brought from all over the country, he said.
Other new attractions at the site which will be inaugurated include Children Nutrition Park and Unity Glow Garden.
Around 30 lakh LED lights have been used to illuminate the garden during the night for tourists.
In the night, Modi would inaugurate the illuminated Cactus Garden and Ekta Nursery.
The official said Modi will stay overnight at Kevadiya.
On the morning of October 31, Modi would first visit the Statue of Unity to pay floral tributes to Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary, he said.
On the occasion, a parade, named Ekta Diwas Parade, by Central Armed Police Forces and the Gujarat police will also be organised in Modi’s presence, the official said.
After speaking at the parade ground near the statue, Modi would interact with civil service probationers, also called Officer Trainees (OTs), through video conferencing, he said.
These trainee IAS officers would join the PM from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand).
“The Academy is gearing up for Aarmabh 2020 in which a galaxy of thought leaders are sharing their views on India @ 100, culminating in the PM’s interaction with OTs from the Statue of Unity on 31st October, the birthday of Sardar Patel, the Patron Saint of Indian civil services,” Academy Director Sanjeev Chopra had tweeted earlier.
Later in the afternoon, the PM would launch the famed seaplane service connecting Kevadiya and Ahmedabad.
A water aerodrome having a floating platform has been built in a lake near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, said the official.
The PM would board a seaplane from the lake and reach the Sabarmati Riverfront. He will then wind up his visit and leave for New Delhi, said the official.
