On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his hometown Vadnagar in North Gujarat to inaugurate a Rs 500-crore civil hospital and a medical college. Modi is also scheduled to dedicate the redeveloped Sharmistha Lake to the people and inaugurate other public works, including the facelift of the Vadnagar railway station, where he is once said to have sold tea as a school boy. Modi on Saturday said Diwali had come early because of the relaxation in GST rules that brought some relief to small and medium businesses. Modi sounded the poll bugle for the assembly elections to be conducted later this year in Gujarat by addressing a gathering in the temple town of Dwarka after laying the foundation stone for a four-lane signature bridge costing Rs 900 crore linking Dwarka with the island religious tourist centre of Bet Dwarka. “Today, everywhere it is being said that Diwali has come 15 days ahead due to the decisions taken in the GST Council (on Friday). I am happy,” he said at the beginning of his two-day Gujarat visit. Modi said the decision to relax the GST provisions for small traders, businessmen and exporters was in keeping with the Centre’s promise to review the working of the new tax regime from time-to-time. “We had said we will study all aspects relating to GST for three months, including the shortcomings. And thus, the decisions were taken with consensus at the GST Council,” he said. Accusing the previous UPA government at the centre of stalling development projects in Gujarat, Modi recalled the difficulties the state faced when the Congress ruled the country and he was the state chief minister. “Despite my best efforts, I could not make them (UPA government) to wake up from their slumber,” said the prime minister. Modi stressed that his government would continue giving priority to development by enhancing connectivity and took a dig at his critics, especially in the wake of a viral social media campaign “Development has gone crazy”, targeting his government. [caption id=“attachment_4120647” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Image courtesy: PIB[/caption] Modi said development would continue to be the driving force of his initiatives. “This generation may have suffered poverty but we would take development to such heights that future generations do not get to see poverty. The world’s attention is being drawn to India. People are coming to invest here. All this will bring opportunities for the people of India.” He also announced the setting up of the country’s first and biggest Marine Police training institute at Mojak in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of the state. “I would like to give a gift to the people of Gujarat that will benefit the entire country. For security of coastal area, we are working to modernise Marine Police (who look after coastal security till 5 km from the shore). “To help train policemen from across the country, a Marine Police training and research institute will be set up near Mojak,” Modi said. Modi at Rajkot Modi on Saturday said that the present central government is the first since independence that has formulated a National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) for providing air connectivity to smaller cities. Modi talked about the NCAP at a foundation stone laying ceremony held here for development of a new airport. According to state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI), Modi who addressed a gathering at the ceremony, highlighted the importance that an airport plays in achieving development goals of a region and a state. “He (Modi) also brought to light the fact that for the new greenfield airport coming up between Rajkot and Surendranagar districts, 96 per cent of the land used was barren land of government of Gujarat,” the AAI statement said. The Gujarat government had proposed a greenfield airport at Hirasar, Rajkot as the existing airport faces capacity constrains with no further scope for expansion. The initial development phase cost of the new airport has been pegged at Rs 1,405 crore. Commenting on the new airport project being handled by AAI, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said: “Since the existing airport has no scope of further expansion and is not positioned well to meet the potential traffic demand, the new airport being constructed by AAI will surely meet the futuristic demands of Rajkot and will further add to the infrastructural development of this expanding city.” The existing Rajkot airport currently witnesses around 100 movements per week and handled over 4 lakh passengers during 2016-17. During his two-day trip, Modi is expected to address as many as six public meetings, launching various schemes and projects at five places in three regions of the poll-bound state. With inputs from IANS
Narendra Modi in Gujarat as it happened: PM says political will helped government build Narmada Sarovar Dam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his hometown Vadnagar in North Gujarat to inaugurate a Rs 500-crore civil hospital and a medical college.
 "Narendra Modi in Gujarat as it happened: PM says political will helped government build Narmada Sarovar Dam")
**Modi criticises previous government for not increasing medical seats**
The prime minister also criticised the earlier government over the issue of seats in medical colleges which, according to him, were much less than the requirement of doctors in the country.
“Due to the rules formulated by the past governments, very few students were able to secure admission in the medical colleges. Thus, we have taken up the task of opening one medical college for (every) three to four Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. Since we also need good professors for such colleges, we have also increased 6,000 seats in PG medical courses in the last one year. Though some people criticised the move, we remained firm because we understand that we will need good professors for producing good doctors,” Modi said.
Recap: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Vadnagar to rousing welcome
Modi thanks Yogi Adityanath for organising Pashu Mela
Gujarat's strides in animal husbandry have helped farmers. I told @CMOfficeUP @myogiadityanath to send a team to Gujarat and study the Pashu Arogya Melas. They did that and organised a similar one in Varanasi, which I had the opportunity to visit & see how it helped farmers: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 8, 2017
Modi woos fishermen community
“Government of India is taking steps towards the empowerment of fishermen. We do not want our fishermen to live in poverty, we want to create more opportunities for them,” Modi said in his Bharuch address.
Political will helped us in building Narmada Sarovar Dam, says Modi
While claiming that the Sarovar dam was a result of government’s sheer political will, Modi reiterated that the river Narmada is an integral part of Gujarat’s economic and social life.
Modi’s talks about his govt urea scheme
We decided that 100% neem coating of urea has to be done so that it can only be used in farming & not in chemical factories: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/TUUt9Eykdm
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2017
Modi takes a dig at his opponents
“I have taken birth in the land of Gandhi and Sardar. So it does not matter how many thieves come and go, but ultimately truth and sincerity will win,” Modi said in an apparent dig at the Opposition.
Modi speaks of chemicals companies looting urea
“Urea subsidy used to reach chemical companies and not the farmers. These companies, who used to get the urea at cheap rates, used to sell products in the market. But the farmers were deprived of urea. The central government used to be looted,” Modi said.
Modi’s outreach to UP, Bihar
“Whether it is Diwali or Chhat Puja, the train is a gift from the West of India to the people from UP and Bihar. Now they can connect with us.,” Modi said.
The train is a gift for UP, Bihar workers
“Workers come to Gujarat to work but then on holidays, he has to reach home. But there are so many difficulties, especially for those from UP, Bihar. So, we have launched the train. This part of Deen Dayal Upadhayay’s dream of Antyodaya,” Modi said.
Antyodaya Express flagged off
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Antyodaya Express, which will run between Udhna in Gujarat to Jaynagar in Bihar. Interestingly, he flagged off the train via a video link.
Modi reaches Bharuch, to lay foundation of barrage on the Narmada
Gujarat: PM Modi in Bharuch; will lay foundation stone of barrage over Narmada River, flag off Antyodaya Express. pic.twitter.com/oXwHBcvG3p
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2017
This is where Modi addressed people of his hometown in Vadnagar
PM @narendramodi addresses a public meeting at Vadnagar, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/mtNVaJOtIf
— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 8, 2017
The Antyodaya Express
Image courtesy: Twitter @RailMinIndia
What’s on Modi’s agenda in Bharuch
Modi will lay the foundation stone for Rs 3,000-crore Bhadbhut barrage project over river Narmada, as well as a Rs 650-crore Dahej-Ghogha Ro-Ro ferry service near Bharuch in South Gujarat. After that, Modi will fly off to New Delhi from Vadodara, CNN News18 reported.
Narendra Modi’s emotional homecoming
“Coming back to one’s hometown and receiving such a warm welcome is special. I go back with your blessings and assure you that I will work even harder for the nation,” said Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. Whatever I am today is due to values I have learnt on this soil, among you all in Vadnagar," he added addressing a public meeting in Vadnagar. Read more here .
IANS
Modi focussed on healthcare facilities in his speech
Modi launched the “Intensified Mission Indradhanush” to accelerate progress towards the goal of full immunization coverage. “I am happy that I have got to inaugurate projects relating to the health sector, particularly Intensified Mission Indradhanush,” said Modi. “Work is constantly being done to make healthcare affordable for the poor,” he added.
IANS
Narendra Modi to launch Antyodaya Express in Bharuch
Udhna-Jaynagar Antyodaya Exp set to be flagged off by Hon'ble PM @narendramodi thru video link from Bharuch pic.twitter.com/nyyQVvpBkS
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) October 8, 2017
Union Minister JP Nadda thanks PM for launching Mission Indradhanush
Grateful to Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji for encouraging healthcare in India by launching Intensified Mission Indradhanush. pic.twitter.com/UGZmjcburh
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) October 8, 2017
Glimpses of Modi’s tour to GMERS Medical College
PM @narendramodi at GMERS Medical College, Vadnagar, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/S57JN3WDLP
— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 8, 2017
Modi’s relative recounts PM’s childhood
Pankaj Modi, a relative of the prime minister spoke to News18 on the mood in the town and said, “Gaon ka beta aa raha hai. Mood is ecstaitc in Vadnagar.”
Recalling Modi’s childhood, Pankaj said, “He used to focus on his studies and when free, he used to sell tea at the railway station. During the Indo-Sino war, he reached the station and gave tea and food to soldiers.”
Narendra Modi inaugurates the new Vadnagar medical institute
Image courtesy: Twitter @Pib_India
Narendra Modi launching Mission Indradhanush
Image courtesy: Twitter @BJP4Gujarat
There were chants of “Modi-Modi” and flowers were showered on him at several places along the route of the roadshow. The locals told mediapersons it was a matter of great pride that the “son of the soil” was the prime minister and was visiting the town after a long time.
Modi’s tribute to people of Vadnagar
“Immense love showered by people of Vadnagar gives me new energy to serve the nation with more zeal,” PTI quoted Modi as saying while promising to work even more harder for the people of Gujarat.
Watch: Modi revisits history to laud India-China ties
#WATCH: PM Modi talks about Chinese President says,'scholar Xuanzang visited my village in India & in China he visited Pres Xi's village' pic.twitter.com/jZOuCTlxxM
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2017
PM Modi says India needs more doctors
Today I met youngsters from a medical college. We as a society require more doctors who can serve people: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/zYH2XApx6f
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 8, 2017
PM promises to make Sharmistha lake a tourist centre
“Sharmistha lake is the heart of Vadnagar. We will make it a tourist hotspot,” says Modi in his hometown.
We helped people with heart diseases, says Modi
We brought prices of stents down. Work is constantly being done to make healthcare affordable for the poor: PM in #Vadnagar pic.twitter.com/OLyRwnMcaO
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2017
Work one day of a month for free: Modi
In a bid to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in Gujarat, Modi urged doctors to work for free on the ninth day of every month. “This will help poor women to not travel far off places for delivering babies,” Modi said.
UPA ignored health policy, says Modi
Slamming the UPA government for not bringing in a health policy, Modi said it was the Vajpayee government between 1998 and 2004, which brought a comprehensive health policy. He said that the UPA did not attach importance to the policy while it was after NDA came to power that the policy was renewed.
Modi’s appeal to people of India
“I request people to think Indradhanush as your own campaign. As much as you feel happy when you donate blood or do other charities, you should also help the poor children to get immunised. You will be blessed,” says Modi.
Modi invokes history to laud Vadnagar
Modi said that the archeological excavations from Vadnagar have become the focal point of world community. He said that Vadnagar is now the only place in the world which has been continuously been inhabitant by people. Modi said that Vadnagar was a major Buddhist learning centre in the ancient times.
I will work harder for Gujarat, says Modi
“I will work harder for the people of Gujarat. I will work on the ideals taught by the people of Vadnagar, I promise it,” Modi said.
Modi lauds Vadnagar
“Whatever I am today, it is all because of Vadnagar and its people,” says Narendra Modi.
Modi invokes Field Marshal Carriappa to begin speech
“Once Carriappa went to his village, where he said that the experience of being welcomed by natives is something which cannot be compared,” Modi said. “I feel the same,” said Modi.
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