On the evening of Wednesday 26th February 2014 Shri Narendra Modi launched the e-Nagar Project and Mahatma Gandhi Swachchata Abhiyan in Gandhinagar. Shri Narendra Modi talked at length about the importance of cleanliness and said that once cleanliness becomes a part of our lives and our society than good health is automatically guaranteed.
Shri Modi said, “In 2019 the nation will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. One thing that was very dear to Mahatma Gandhi was cleanliness. Friends, is it a good thing that sanitation facilities are not upto the mark? No. Even the dignity of women is linked to this,” and called for initiating a mass movement towards cleanliness. The Chief Minister said that this is the best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He added that each and everything that Mahatma Gandhi said is totally relevant in this day and age.
During his speech Shri Modi talked about the importance of technology and the role it can play in governance. On this issue he remarked, “Our dream is that of a Digital India and a Digital Gujarat is a start in this direction. And today is the first step- of making Ahmedabad a Wi-Fi city.” Shri Modi further opined, “Imagine the number of papers e-governance saves. See the number of jungles this saves and if that happens see the positive difference on our environment. Let us move towards paperless office.” He cited examples of one day governance and the 108 ambulance services in Gujarat.
Shri Modi observed, “This century is going to be linked with the virtual world. Maybe in the days to come you will have virtual malls and digital manufacturing. Change is coming fast and we need our urban areas to keep pace with these changes.”
On the occasion, Shri Modi launched a series of pioneering projects in e-governance, which included the e-nagar web portal (smart control system that enables connecting different locations and services), e-Nagar mobile application (offering a plethora of services to the citizens through Mobile governance, already initiated in Surat for payment of taxes), the e-ward initiated at Rajkot Municipal Corporation to ensure last-mile connectivity, the civic centre in Rajkot that enables online issuance of birth certificates with digital signatures for authentication, the BRTS bus arrival mapping facility that will enable people to know of the arrival timings.
An effort at leveraging innovation and technology, the e-Nagar approach focuses on developing smart and intelligent cities that put forth features of Geo-Spatial mapping (resource mapping for developmental plans), city civic centres, m-Governance, intelligent transit system with GPS, citizen service portal, self-help kiosk and call centres and wi-fi hotspots. This initiative will ensure higher transparency, greater accountability, and improved efficiency.
Shri Modi also spoke to the people of Kankaria through Wi-Fi - a project that focuses on providing high-speed internet connectivity to the e-Nagars of Gujarat. The book ‘Digital Gujarat – An unparalleled success’ was released by Shri Modi, on the occasion.
Shri Narendra Modi gave away the Nirmal Gram awards to the winning villages. He also gave away a grant towards ensuring cleanliness and sanitation facilities of cities in Gujarat. This is as a part of the campaign ‘Swachcha Gujarat, Swastha Gujarat’, initiated to ensure a clean Gujarat by the year 2019 when India will celebrate Mahatma Gandhi 150th birth anniversary.
The e-Governance model adopted by the Government of Gujarat incorporates features of State-Wide Attention on Grievances by the application of Technology (SWAGAT), Geographical Information System, nProcure, eGram Vishwagram (e-connectivity to all gram panchayats), targeted public distribution system, eJamin (access to village land records), ApnoTaluko, Vibrant Taluko (decentralizing powers for maximum governance) and Online Job Application System.
Shri Modi assured the people that the nature and scope of the services will only increase in the dys to come. Shrimati Anandiben Patel, Shri
Bhupendrasinh
Chudasma and Shri
Jayantibhai Ramjibhai Kavadiya were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
