Swavalamban Abhiyan - An Initiative by Government of Gujarat

On September 17, 2014. a grand event was hosted in Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, called 'Swavalamban Abhiyan'. The former Chief Minister of Gujarat, and current Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi was the guest of honour at the event. The event was presided over by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

The state of Gujarat welcomed the former CM as he visited the city for the first time after his election as the PM. It was the same day that Narendra Modi celebrated his 64th birthday. Upon his arrival in Gandhinagar, he first visited his home in the city where his mother resides, to take her blessings on his birthday.

At the grand event in Mahatma Mandir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 11 welfare schemes of Gujarat Government under 'Swavalamban Abhiyan’. These 11 schemes focus on empowering women, labourers, Cattle-rearers, youth and farmers through various initiatives, assistance, relief, benefits and opportunities. PM Narendra Modi marked e -launch of 'Swavalamban Abhiyan' through laser torch, in the presence of ihe State Governor 0 P kohli and Chief Minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel at Mahatma Gandhi, Mandir, Gandhi nagar.

Speaking at the event, the PM said that the commencement of ‘Swavalamban Abhiyan’ on the day of Vishwakarma Puja is symbolic of the various welfare schemes launched for the needy and the deprived. Appreciating the nature of ‘Swavalamban Abhiyan’, he said that qualities or swashraya (self-help), swavalamban (self-reliance) and Swabhimaan (self-respect) are deeply instilled in the people of Gujarat. He said that only when the people of India live a life of self-respect, will they become self-reliant, which in turn, will make the country self-reliant.

Government should continue to empower every section of the society and help them become self-reliant in every walk of life. the PM added. He also congratulated the Government of Gujarat for persistent efforts and hard work under the initiative of Gatisheel Gujarat.

The PM added that, initiatives like tablets and benefits in interest on self-employment loan to ITI graduates and 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay young entrepreneurs scheme' under ‘Swavalamban Abhiyan' are significant in empowering the youth and shaping their dreams. Talking about the entrepreneurial qualities and abilities of women, he lauded the efforts of women of Gujarat engaged in dairy sector and cattle-rearing.

On the occasion, CM Anandiben Patel said that Government of Gujarat is committed to work endlessly towards the PM's vision for Gujarat. The aim of Swavalamban Abhiyan is to ensure that the poor and needy people are not deprived of any opportunities and that they should also be a part or the progress of Gujarat, she added. Talking about the difficulties of BPL and neo-middle class families, the CM said that no one should be deprived of basic necessities of life like employment, good health and one's own home. Everyone has a right to live a better and dignified life, she added. she also expressed her joy saying that Gujarat is fortunate to have the esteemed presence of Narendra Modi in the state on his birthday.

During this event, the PM distributed tablets and cheques to the select beneficiaries of various schemes under Swavalamban Abhiyan.

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LokSamvad Setu - Building A Bridge Between People and Government

In a democratic government set up, it is the duty of the government to understand the problems of their people and redress any such issues. For the country and the state, as populated and diverse like ours, it is essential to ensure that the distance between the government and people remains minimal. There has to be a ‘bridge’ which connects people to the government. The idea of good governance which the State of Gujarat firmly believes in can only be released when the government puts aside the old approach and proactively strives to redress the common man's grievances.

This endeavor requires creating a mechanism with the help of which, the government officials are apprised of the people’s problems, especially at a district and taluka level._ For this, former Chief Minister Narendra Modi adopted a two-pronged strategy along the lines of Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Gram Swaraj. At one hand, 'Aapno Taluko, Vibrant Taluko' programme was launched with an aim to decentralize administrative power and to provide all public services at the local level. On the other hand, the programme — ‘SWAGAT online’ — was launched, a scheme through which the Chief minister can directly listen to the problems of the people and provide solutions to their grievances. This very popular programme, a ray of hope for common people. has also bagged the United Nation's Public Service` award.

Giving further impetus to this endeavour, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel launched Loksamvad Setu programme on August 01, 2014 at Matar in Kheda district.. This was done with a view to resolve people's grievances in a time-bound manner at the local level_ The first loksamvad setu saw positive redressal to 160 issues of the people.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has taken forward the former CM Narendra Modi's idea of inclusive governance and given it a further impetus under the idea of ‘Gatisheel Gujarat'. She has taken up the initiative to continue leading the stale on the path of development, but with a greater speed and force. 'Loksamvad Setu' is an important part of this greater goal, to ensure immediate redressal of all issues so that Gujarat reaches its goal of development faster.

'Loksamvad’ is a Gujarati word which literally translates to 'Dialogue with people', and the word "Setu” means bridge. “Loksamvad Setu” aims to be a bridge of communication between the people and the government.

The Government used various media of mass communication to acquaint people with this programme and to call for submission of their taluka and district level issues, People took this opportunity and put forward their problems_ These were then sent to the concerned district/taluka offices. The concerned offices resolved the problems and informed the applicants about it in written during the programme,

MPs, MLAs, District Panchayat Presidents, Panchayat members of the concerned talukas and municipality chairman were invited to the programme. Besides, officials including district collector, District Development Officer, district police chief and taluka office head also attended the programme.

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