Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi took strong exception on Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s remark on “Saffron Terrorism” and has categorical asked Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to apologize for the same. Coming down heavily on Centre for insulting Indian culture, Shri Modi said, Delhi dynasty was all set to defame thousand years great culture of India, in which saffron color was symbol of holiness and sacrifice.

Addressing a mammoth gathering at Garib Kalyan Mela(GKM) at Vadodara, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi noted it with pride that as many as 350 Garib Kalyan Mela has disbursed the benefits worth Rs. 4500 Cr among 45 lac poor beneficiaries. By placing the tools of development into the hands of the poor present government has opened up fresh avenues of development for the poor.

Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi claimed that the Garib Kalyan Yatra has shown the path to the nation. It has not only influenced the Delhi but the entire country, which has compelled them to take concrete welfare initiatives for the betterment of the poor. Earlier Shri Modiji dedicated 175 mtrs long Skywalk (Foot Over Bridge), connecting Vadodara Railway station with City bus station constructed at the cost of Rs 2 Cr, aiming to facilitate citizens reach their destination either side without facing the rigors of heavy regular traffic.

As part of the chain of GKM, which is being organized across the state, Chief Minister and other dignitaries distributed welfare assistance worth over Rs 25 Cr to the needy urban poor of the city. As many as 915 beneficiaries were given away residential plots and housing units worth Rs. 22.51 Cr under various housing schemes to help homeless people. He laid foundation stone for Rs. 7.7 Cr Water Supply scheme.

Chief Minister attacked the fifth-row-brigade who cannot digest Gujarat’s strides and milestone achievements. Unfazed by the destructive activities and motives of such elements, Gujarat has continued its journey of development by preserving peace and harmony. He alleged that Congress Party has become the stenographer of C.B.I. The central government lacks the strength and capacity to compete Gujarat on development front.

Gujarat has emerged as No-1 state by generating maximum number of employment-options in the entire nation. Out of every hundred employment options generated in the country, Gujarat has its share of 72 % - rest 28 % is contributed by other states.

Chief Minister equated the 350 GKM with Gujarat’s Golden Jubilee Year, never before such an initiative has been taken; the 350 GKM has disbursed welfare assistance to the tune of Rs. 4500 Cr.

Prominent among those who were present includes Urban Development Minister Shri Nitin Patel, Panchayat Minister Shri Narottam Patel, M.P and Mayor Shri Balkrishna Shukla and eminent leaders.