80 whistle-stops lined up for Modi today

His day in Dahod begins with the ground-breaking ceremony of Kadana dam-based water supply scheme,worth Rs 127.12 crore,for Dahod city. The CM then inaugurates a modern hostel building for government engineering college students and also dedicate boys’ and girls’ hostel at Agriculture Engineering Polytechnic campus at Movalia. Then he opens a physiotherapy college at Nimnalia in Dahod and lays foundation stone for an eye hospital at Chakalia road in the town.

In the evening,Modi flags off the Gaurav Yatra-Police Parade,besides unveiling a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The day ends with a cultural programme on the theme of “Disha Chindhe Dahod” ( Dahod shows the way).

Ever since he began his Sadbhavana Mission fasts in September last — the chief minister held 36 one-day fasts in five months — there has been no stopping Modi. From back-to-back inaugurations of solar power plants to the opening of a mushroom and cold storage plant in his home town of Vadnagar last week,his publicity-planners have ensured he is all over the place.

In this blitzkrieg,there are some who get to see Modi in person. For those who cannot,there is a “virtual” Modi.

According to sources in his office,the CM has “addressed” 300-odd Garib Kalyan Melas on video in the last 20 days. Last year,at many of these fairs,Modi personally handed out bicycles and other such doles to the poor. Before this,he handed out appointment letters to the unemployed youth at job fairs held in all districts,where Modi was the guest on video.

Also,there seems a change of tack. For the first time,the CM is being seen in functions held by caste and community groups.

In March-April this year,Modi attended 12 major events where he addressed Leuva Patels,north-Indians,Maharashtrians,Brahmins,Baxi-Panch,Chaudharies,Thakors,very backward communities and so on.

The CM has also been attending mass marriages of different communities.