Gandhinagar, Oct 14 — A total of 221 new JCB machines were distributed to young members of the Bharwad community under the 'Yuva Rojgar Yojana', while laptops collected through a community initiative will be given free to students who perform well in their Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi distributed the machines at a programme organised by the Bharwad Yuva Sangathan at Town Hall in Gandhinagar, with the initiative aimed at promoting self-employment and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people across Gujarat.
Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi described the community's transition from traditional livelihoods to digital education as a journey from "Lakdi to Laptop", saying it would contribute to the country's development.
"The stick has always symbolised the honour of the Bharwad community, and now, laptops in their hands will contribute to the nation's development," he said, adding that while the stick had once served to protect the community, laptops would help its progress and upliftment.
Sanghavi said the initiative would help generate employment for several families.
He noted that obtaining bank loans could be difficult for ordinary and economically weaker rural households, but collective efforts by the community had helped young people access opportunities for self-employment.
"Thousands of young people had earlier received Eco and Bolero vehicles under similar efforts," he said.
The distribution of 221 JCB machines marks an initiative to strengthen the economic prospects of young beneficiaries from different districts.
The programme was attended by community representatives and officials associated with Amin JCB.
Emphasising education, Sanghavi urged the community to ensure that girls received the best possible opportunities to study.
"The laptop initiative would support daughters of Maldhari families living in villages in pursuing education and sports," he said.
The laptops are to be gifted free of cost to students who perform well in their Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations.
The community also organised a traditional weighing ceremony of the Deputy Chief Minister against laptops to mark its effort to adapt to the digital age while retaining its cultural identity.
The ceremony reflected the theme of the programme, "From Stick to Laptop".
Sanghavi also referred to action against illegal encroachments around the Dwarkadhish Temple, saying the land had been cleared to make it available for devotees and improve facilities for the lakhs of people who visit the shrine from across India and abroad.
On cow protection, the Deputy Chief Minister said the first anti-cow slaughter law in Gujarat had been introduced when PM Narendra Modi was the state's Chief Minister.
"Over the past year, convictions in 15 cow slaughter cases had resulted in sentences ranging from seven years' imprisonment to life imprisonment," he added.
He warned those involved in cow slaughter that they would have to abandon the activity or leave the state.
He also praised the community's practice of organising mass marriages, saying the participation of community leaders in collective weddings, including those of their own children, helped save time and money while promoting unity.
Former MLA Bhavanbhai Bharwad said the community had made progress in social awareness and education, claiming that nearly 90 per cent of its members were educated.
"Hostels had been established at several locations, including Amreli, Anand, Dharampur, Naina village and Ranuja, to support boys' education. Hostels and dharamshalas are also being constructed to assist students in need," he added.
Young members of the community honoured Sanghavi with traditional symbols, including a stick, turban and waistcoat.
Faculty members and officials who provide free coaching to community youth for competitive examinations were also felicitated with certificates presented by the Deputy Chief Minister.
Prominent community members, including Lakhabhai Bharwad, Rajabhai Bharwad and Bharatbhai Budheliya from Bhavnagar, along with youth representatives, community leaders and representatives of Amin JCB, attended the programme.