The Hindu : National : Gujarat foundation day celebrated

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

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National

Gujarat foundation day celebrated

By Our Special Correspondent

SURAT, MAY 1. The people of Surat joined in the "Gujarat Gaurav Din'' celebrations to mark the 45th foundation day of the State held with a series of cultural and other official programmes.

The celebrations that began with "Surya Vandana'' at sunrise were attended by the Governor, Kailashpati Mishra, the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, the Union Rural Development Minister, Kashiram Rana, and members of the Modi Cabinet besides a host of government officials. Re-naming of the South Gujarat University after Veer Narmad, a famous Gujarati poet born in Surat, felicitation of three cricketers from Gujarat, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel, release of books on history of Gujarat and history of Surat, presentation of "Surat vision 2020,'' launching of a library for the visually challenged, and cultural programmes for the visually challenged, mentally challenged and old and infirm people and exhibitions on the developments in agriculture, industry, art and culture and various other spheres achieved by the State were among the few programmes organised to celebrate the day.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a traffic island, a modern district public cell at the Collectorate, an e-library, and a 66 KV power sub-station at Choriyasi on the outskirts of Surat on the occasion.

Eleven high school students including four girls are writing since 6 a.m. 24 hours non-stop the details of Gujarat's pride and achievements while 45 boys held a "mashal rally'' in the morning to symbolise 45 years of the formation of the State in 1960. Re-enactment of the "Dandi March'' with a young school boy playing the role of Mahatma Gandhi also formed part of the celebrations. Some ex-servicemen from the State who have sacrificed their lives or have been permanently disabled for the cause of the nation were also felicitated on the occasion. Ten inter-caste marriages were performed and the couples were provided assistance of Rs. 50,000 each to encourage social equality while 10 Dalit students having excelled in medical, engineering and other higher studies were provided financial assistance to start their career.

Ever since Mr. Modi took over as the Chief Minister, he is arranging the major national and State festivals in rotation in different parts of the State.

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