Rajkot, Aug 15 — Gujarat's 80th Independence Day celebrations at Jhagadia in Bharuch and Gondal in Rajkot district centred on national unity, youth participation, self-reliance, agriculture and the goal of building a developed India by 2047, with ministers Praful Pansheriya and Jitu Vaghani highlighting civic responsibility and development.
At Jhagadia, Pansheriya, Minister of State for Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, and district in-charge minister, hoisted the Tricolour and inspected the parade.
Addressing the gathering, he called upon people to rise above casteism, regionalism and linguistic divisions, saying, “Neither casteism, nor regionalism, nor linguisticism; only ‘nationalism’ should be our priority.”
Pansheriya said India was progressing with the principles of national harmony and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and urged the country’s 140 crore citizens to move in one direction to strengthen the nation.
He referred to direct benefit transfers and digital payments, saying benefits were reaching poorer sections directly, and highlighted India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
He also called on young people to remain free from addiction and contribute to nation-building. “I will remain free from addiction and become a symbol of the country’s prosperity,” he said, describing public health, tackling adulteration and guiding society towards the right path as forms of national service.
The minister said the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ went beyond infrastructure and included unity and nationalism.
He also highlighted India’s cultural heritage, Yoga and the Bhagavad Gita, and appealed to citizens to support locally made products under ‘Vocal for Local’.
Outstanding achievers, Karmayogis and people involved in humanitarian services such as organ and eye donation were felicitated at the event.
Cultural programmes, a police-dog crime detection demonstration and mounted and tent-pegging displays were also held. Pansheriya presented a Rs 25 lakh cheque for Jhagadia’s development.
Under corporate social responsibility, Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited also provided eight sets of mini JCB machines and tractors with trolleys worth Rs 2.04 crore to local bodies for solid waste management.
At Gondal, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani hoisted the National Flag at Sangramsinhji High School and inspected the parade. He said the freedom struggle had united the country and called for the same collective effort to fulfil the vision of a developed India.
Vaghani highlighted agricultural and environmental initiatives, saying more than 17 crore trees had been planted in Gujarat under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
"Rs 22,733 crore had been provided to 1.36 crore farmers in the state during natural disasters over the past decade, while more than Rs 24,000 crore had been provided in the agriculture budget for farmer welfare, mechanisation and modernisation," he said.
He also urged farmers to adopt natural farming, noting that more than nine lakh farmers in Gujarat had joined the initiative.
In Rajkot district, he said, 2.75 lakh farmers had cultivated 5.25 lakh hectares, with sowing completed over 5,04,581 hectares by August 1.
The celebration included cultural performances by schoolchildren, felicitation of freedom fighters and 79 Karmayogis, and tree plantation by dignitaries.
Vaghani also presented a Rs 25 lakh cheque to the Rajkot District Collector for development works.
The celebrations brought together officials, elected representatives, students and citizens in both districts around a common emphasis on national service and development.