Charity to win polls will not help villages develop: Modi

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swarajya,Modi called for efforts to make villages self-sufficient in all spheres,instead of focussing on winning elections through a culture of charity. Calling for strengthening of Gram Sabhas,Modi avowed that the Gram Sabha must be as important for the village as the Lok Sabha is for the nation. He called for the optimum use of technology for enhancing the development of villages. The CM spoke about the importance of de-centralisation in order to develop villages,saying that sitting in state capitals authorities cannot take decisions about the needs of villages.

Felicitating sarpachs who have done remarkable work in their respective villages,Modi claimed that the rural development model of Gujarat is successful due to various innovative projects.

With sarpanchs and councilors from across India present at the venue,Modi promoted his pet project of building Statue of Unity — a 182-feet-high statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — touted to be the tallest in the world. His idea of collecting iron pieces from all villages of India to build this statue on an island near Sardar Sarovar Dam is being promoted as a farmers’ movement by the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha election. A short film on the proposed statue was screened ahead of Modi’s speech.

“By collecting an iron piece each from every village,effort will be made to build an emotional bond with the statue of Sardar Patel,who stands for integrity of India,” Modi added.