Lotus blooms in Gujarat

Lotus blooms in Gujarat


Riding on the crest of a popular wave, Chief Minister Narendra Modi today swept the BJP to power in Gujarat for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term, shattering the Congress dream of staging a comeback in the state after 12 years in the wilderness.

Narendra Modi offers help to police personnel of northeastern states

Narendra Modi offers help to police personnel of northeastern states

New Delhi, Feb 1 ANI: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered help to police personnel of the northeastern states, as this would reinforce national integration. "Keeping national integration in mind, 100-100 police personnel from our northeast states such as Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are ready to come and serve in Gujarat for two years each, so we offer them all the facilities," Modi told reporters on the sidelines of the Chief Minister's conference on internal security here. "We have asked them to first send women police officers for two years, and we will take care of them. And then the rotation will create employment for them in their state. This will also act as step towards national integration and this is what I have offered the northeast states," he added. Modi also spoke about the black money stashed in foreign banks, and said the Central Government should follow the agenda that they have set for states by implementing it at first. "This is Indian government's own agenda note but when the media questions the federal government about Swiss bank, then they say that it is only a tax evasion case. The states are told that the money laundering issues should be dealt with serious actions," said Modi. "I understand and feel that the states are asked to follow these agendas; Indian government should also follow the agenda note when it comes to the issue of Swiss bank. And the government should try to accept the responsibility of bringing back the black money," he added. Modi further noted that India being an independent country should not have let German and Austria decide which states would be given weapons purchased from manufacturers in those countries. "States ask for weapons, explosives and India gives these to them by buying from other countries. But unfortunately, India, which is an independent country, writes such a letter to the states that Germany and Austria are two countries that will not supply weapons to some states because the police of those states misuse those weapons. And Indian government suggests that they should buy the weapons from Turkey key," he opined. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram addressed the conference and discussed a host of issues such as Maoists, separatist movement in Kashmir and insurgency in the northeast. ANI

Pilgrim city Dwarka awaits Narendra Modi's blessings

By Brij Khandelwal, Dwarka (Gujarat), March 10 : Though it lies in a state that is witnessing rapid infrastructural development, this ancient Gujarat city where Lord Krishna is believed to have lived seems untouched by Chief Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives.

The ride from the industrial clusters of Jamnagar to Dwarka is not only bumpy and rough, but the deep potholes make the travel risky, say pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh's Braj area that is associated with the Krishna legend.

"Some areas along the coast and in the Bet Dwarka (island) area across the sea were affected by the devastating earthquake that shook Gujarat years ago, but not much has been done after that. The 35,000 population of Dwarka depends entirely on tourists and pilgrims. Modi's government should extend his generosity this side too," Tulsi Das, a tonga driver and guide, told IANS.

Dwarka is estimated to draw about a million pilgrims and tourists every year. But the romance and magic of the Krishna-Radha lore is clearly missing, as is the legendary royal splendour of the Yadav empire of yore.

Padmini, a pilgrim from Agra, rued: "When we came here we had lots of expectations of grandeur and hoped to see the area's rich culture, but there was none of the milk, dahi, lassi or sweets we Brajwasis are fond of.

"Nor was there the exuberance and glitter of royalty associated with the Yadav dynasty that once ruled here. Except for the main temple (Dwarkadhish Temple), there is only barren wasteland and salt lakes all around. They should have more greenery."

It is only the iconic Dwarkadhish Temple that stands majestically tall along the sea coast and delivers the glossy promise made on tourism promotional literature.

"They (the pilgrims) come in droves, especially during Janmashtami, Diwali and Holi. Drinking water is a major problem in the town," Das added.

Many also complain there's no direct train to connect Mathura with Dwarka even though both attract Lord Krishna devotees. "The two pilgrim centres associated with Lord Krishna must be connected with an overnight train so that there are convenient opportunities for promoting travel," said hotelier Rakesh Bhai.

Tourism department officials, however, say the state government has provided funds and launched several schemes for the area's comprehensive development.

A proposed Rs.100-crore package, with central assistance, will promote integrated development of the area which is dotted with temples and historical places, feel locals in Dwarka.

An official in Dwarka says a bridge to connect Bet Dwarka with Okha will accelerate development of the area. The development schemes are being monitored by the Gujarat Yatra Dham Vikas Board.

The state government is planning to build temples of various deities and the queens of Lord Krishna. Rukmani's Gopi ka Taalab - believed to be the bathing ghat for hundreds of queens of Lord Krishna - stands in need of urgent renovation.

"The state government has plans to develop Okhamadhi as a weekend getaway for tourists," said a tourism official.

Priests at Dwarka Dham say the main chowk and the sunset point near the Shiva temple will also be taken up for development soon.

Gujarat CM Modi is now available on Orkut

Gujarat CM Modi is now available on Orkut

Women supporters of Modi have also joined the rally and have tried to make a difference. On the other hand, the opposition parties is projecting the view that women are unsafe in Modi's Gujarat. An IT engineer, Bhavya, said: "A lot of girls are part of the campaign and are giving every effort to lend support to the Modi government." The BJP started its hi-tech poll campaign ahead of the rival Congress, and has seemingly established a small lead. They are not leaving anything to chance even in the emerging arena of e-campaigning.