Topgun fires, Modi lies low

Clad in an off-white kurta, Modi toured five villages in his specially designed rath. Modi avoided the media almost throughout, except for once at Bhilad village. But even here, while speaking to journalists, Modi talked only about the advantages of the Kanya Kelavani campaign.

At a meeting in Jharoli village, Modi said, 8216;8216;I do not want to criticise the previous governments or any of the leaders, which may be taken in bad spirit. I have come here to request you to create an atmosphere conducive to education in your village, and to be a participant in the development of the State and nation.8217;8217;

Modi said that though the campaign could have been launched from Gandhinagar in an air-conditioned hall, the Gujarat government chose to create awareness by meeting the villagers in the 2,000-odd villages across Gujarat. All the senior government officers, secretaries and ministers have been entrusted with the job of meeting villagers and stressing upon them, the need to send their children 8212; especially girls 8212; to primary school.

Modi said, 8216;8216;I have come here as a bhikshuk mendicant, and I want a promise from the parents that they will educate their children to make our state brighter and more prosperous.8217;8217;