Page 15 - NIS English 16-31 July 2022

PM visit to Gujarat Nation
PROJECTS WORTH RS 21000 CRORE

TO BRING PROSPERITY TO GUJARAT

Taking part in the Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan held in Vadodara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the
foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth Rs 21,000 crore. It also includes
18 railway projects worth about Rs 16,332 crore. Addressing the program, Prime Minister Modi said,
"These projects worth Rs 21,000 crore are going to strengthen India's commitment to the development
of Gujarat. Such a huge investment in providing housing to the poor, higher education, and better
connectivity will expand the industrial development of Gujarat, Employment-self-employment will
create innumerable opportunities for the youth here. Most of these projects are also related to the
health, nutrition, and empowerment of our sisters and daughters.”
A total of 1.38 lakh houses were dedicated by Modi FLAGS HOISTED AT THE TOP OF
under the PM Awas Yojana. These include houses
built at a cost of about Rs 1,800 crore in urban THE TEMPLE AFTER 500 YEARS
areas and houses built at a cost of more than Rs
1,530 crore in rural areas.

The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the
foundation stone of various development works
in Kheda, Anand, Vadodara, Chhota Udaipur, and
Panchmahal at a cost of over Rs. 680 crore, the
aim of which is to make life easier in these areas.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone The peak of this 11th-century temple located
of Gujarat Central University in Kundhela Village on Pavagadh hill was destroyed by Sultan
of Dabhoi taluka of Gujarat. Located about 20 Mahmud Begada about 500 years ago. The
km from Vadodara city, this university will be temple has been restored as part of the
constructed at a cost of about Rs. 425 crore and redevelopment.
will cater to the higher education needs of more The temple is located within the Champaner-
than 2500 students. Pavagadh Archaeological Park. It is also a
Focusing on improving maternal and child health, UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts
the Prime Minister launched the 'Mukhyamantri millions of devotees every year. It is believed
Matrishakti Yojana', which will have an outlay of that sage Vishwamitra had installed the idol
Rs 800 crore. Under this scheme, pregnant and of Goddess Kalika in Pavagadh.
lactating mothers from Anganwadi centers will be This temple has been reconstructed in two
given two kg of gram, one kg of pigeon pea, and
one kg of edible oil free of cost every month. phases. The first phase was inaugurated
by the Prime Minister in April 2022. The
The Prime Minister also distributed about Rs 120 foundation stone of the redevelopment of
crore under the 'Poshan Sudha Yojana', which is the second phase was laid by Prime Minister
now being extended to all the tribal beneficiaries Modi in 2017. This includes expansion of the
in the state. This step is being taken after the temple’s base and ‘parisar’ at three levels,
success of the experiment of providing iron and installation of amenities like street lights,
calcium tablets and providing nutrition education to CCTV system, etc.
pregnant and lactating mothers of tribal districts.

also a symbol of the fact that centuries change, eras earlier the journey to Pavagadh was difficult, people
change, but the peak of faith remains eternal.” He used to say that at least once in their lifetime one
added, “Today, India's spiritual and cultural pride is should visit Mata. The growing facilities here today
being re-established. Today, the new India is living have made the difficult journey accessible. Now,
its modern aspirations as well as its ancient heritage children, young, old, and crippled can easily come to
and ancient identity with the same fervor and pay their obeisance to mother and take advantage of
enthusiasm. Every Indian is proud of that. He said, devotion and offerings. ”
New India Samachar July 16-31, 2022 13