It was December 2002, Narendra Modi imarge as strong leader after winning 127 out of 183 seats with cleansweep in Gujarat. It was moment of joy, victory and celebration for BJP. But at same time, There were 2 things which refelcted this result. This was verdict for Narendra Modi: A Hindu Hriday Samart and There was only one district were BJP lost badly. KUTCH
BJP and Narendra Modi won only 1 out 6 seats in Kutch. Statisticaly saying 6 seats are not big bunch of 183 seats it's just 3.25 % of seats and Modi can easily ignore in this landslide victory. But If elections won by statistics, Mathamaticans rules the nation. Kutch is largest district in India and also it covers almost 25% land of Gujarat. Narendra Modi knews that he can't ignore this.
In 2002 Election, Godhra riots were important point in whole gujarat but In kutch, it was period of post earthquake and people were not happy with local politicians, who didn't help much in that critical time of Kutch.
Kutch was in miserable situation due to earthquake and no development, no company. It was assumed as border area and desert, where no CM cares and for buerocrates it was punishment posting. but After 2003, slowly things started changing and It was Kutch's Adopted son Narendra Modi, being Chief Minister of Gujarat played crucial part of changing lives of 20 Lakh Kutchis.
As kutch is geographically far from all metro cities, It was tough to bring mega projects here. But he bring Adani to Mundra Port which is today biggest port in India. Also Company like AMW, Welspun, BKT Tyres and many other companies came to Kutch in last 10 years. This infuse money in kutch and also give job oppertunity to Kutchi youth. But this was not main thing that developed NaMo's adopted home. His master stroke for Kutch is TOURISM.
Yes, Being a district which has sea, hill, desert, Kutch is very picturesque and beautiful. But it was raw, There are no places to show like there are in Palace and Desert of Rajsthan. So he made them.
I would like to share 3 examples how Modi Changed his home.
KRANTI TEERTH
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Narendra modi with Ashes of
Krantiguru |
It was 2003, Narendra Modi did first step to show his affaction towards Kutch. Krantiguru Shaymji Krishna Verma was freedom fighter from Kutch but as he died in Geneva, Switzerland, His ash were in safe custody and his last wish was to bring it to Free India in home town. Modi took innitiative and bring that ash in his own hands from Geneva. Also when he reach to India. He had special Yatra, where the road show had been done to cover most Gujarat for patriot ash of Shyamji Krishna Verma, He also granted land and build Kranti Teerth, where iconic image of India House made. Which is one of historical monument in Britain and been witness of struggle of Indian Fight for Freedom. and Today Lakhs of People visited and feel inspired. Even after 12 years of this, when NaMo visited Britain as PM, in his speech he talked about this and also urge people to visit this patriot place.
Now this played huge part in development of Mandvi, Beach, Vijay Vilas Palace and many other places have been full with many people coming to visit this. More than 20-25 big hotels had open in the area which is a small gesture of showing how it is developed.
KUTCH KARNIVAL
In 2005, Narendra Modi coined new term called "Kutch Karnival", In december month of every year, He started to celebrate Kutch Karnival in Bhuj where whole city is decorated and there is parade like one in New York City on 4th July. This was huge boost for moral of Kutchhi People to feel there is one of them.
Result had been shown in 2007 Gujarat Election, It was looking tough for Narendra Modi to win this election because this time it was not Narendra Modi: Hindu Hriday Samart, but Narendra Modi: Development Icon. and may be it was first time it was agenda was on development and nothing else. but Kutch voted for him. BJP won 5 out of 6 seats in Kutch. Although it is always said that term "Maut Ke Saudagar" made him win the election, but more importantly it was his work which Gujarat and specially Kutch appriciated.
After this victory NaMo had took biggest step towards development of Kutch.
Rann Utsav.
10 years ago, If you ask someone to go to banni , He decline instantly even in some cases people
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PM NaMo with HM and Ministers in white desert |
leave their jobs just to not go to khavda and banni villages. But in 2008, Modi started a Rann Utsav at Dhordo Village where only white desert in world is situated. Tourism Department tied up with private event management firm to make it grand success.
More than 500 Tents are made every year for 4 months and approx 10-15 lakh people visit it every year.
Dhordo Village is having population of approx 350-400 people and they earn almost 15 Crore in last 5-7 years due to rann utsav. Started with 8 Bhunga (Tent) in Gateway to Rann Resort, today there are more then 100 bhunga are there which are used as homestay.
He ask Amitabh Bachchhan to promote Kutch Rann Utsav and in few years it is most successful event of Gujarat. There was 3 day Rann Utsav when it was celebrated first time. Today it goes on more than 4 months and lakhs of people visit it.People are earning and living peacefully due to this small initiatives by Modi.
and after becoming PM, he hasn't forget is adopted land. He visited Kutch for 3 days form 18 to 20 dec. This is longest period when PM has been stayed in india other than his official home 7 RCR.
I would like to clarify that I am not BJP or "BHAKT" but this is just to show how much small points changed life of lakhs of people.
Thank You Narendra Modi... Adopted Son of Kutch..