By IANS,
Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Thursday launched two programmes – one to encourage people to read and the other for youth to devote time to community projects – and called on the state’s people to participate in these with “missionary zeal”.
“‘Vanche Gujarat’ (Read Gujarat) and ‘Samay-Dan'(Time donation) – will occupy a frontline position in the golden jubilee celebrations of the state slated to start from its foundation day, May 1,” Modi said.
Elaborating on the ‘Vanche Gujarat’ mission, Modi said when lives have become robotic, a return to reading books is the only way out of this situation.
“Our social structure emerged from religious treatises like Ramayana and Mahabharat. We always worshipped knowledge. Unfortunately today, an information overload is replacing knowledge. We need to correct the situation by reactivating the old spirit,” he added.
Modi also stressed the need for motivating people to include a ‘Granth-Mandir’ – a library in every home. He suggested giving a book instead of flowers in greeting or as gifts on occasions.
Outlining the ‘Samay-Dan’ programme, he called upon youth to devote at least 100 hours during the year-long golden jubilee celebrations, in any area they chose, be it education, health services, cleanliness or environment.
Modi also launched websites about both the programmes. Information about the reading programme will be on www.vanchegujarat.in, while links on registering for time donation and other information can be found on www.gujaratindia.com, www.swarnimgujarat.org and www.gujarat-education.gov.