Hari Om to all, Jai Umiya Maa, Jai Lakshminarayan!

Kutchi Patels are not only the pride of Kutch, but of the whole of India. Whenever I go to any part of India, I find people from this community there. That is why it is said -- The people of Kutch roam around the world like a fish in the ocean. Wherever they live, they settle Kutch there. Present in the program are Jagadguru Pujya Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati of Sharda Peeth, Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, my colleague in the Union Council of Ministers Purushottam Bhai Rupala, President of All India Kutch Kadva Patidar Samaj Shri Abji Bhai Vishram Bhai Kanani, all other office bearers, and all my brothers and sisters from India and abroad!

Best wishes to all of you on the occasion of Sanatani Shatabdi Mahotsav. Today is a feather in my cap, because this is the first time that I have got the opportunity to attend a program in the presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati ji after he assumed the post of Shankaracharya. His affection has always been on me, on all of us and today I have got the opportunity to greet him.

Friends,

The ‘Triveni Sangam’ in the form of the auspicious period of 100 years of service to the society, the 50th year of the youth wing and the 25th year of the women's wing is a very happy coincidence in itself. When the youth, mothers and sisters of a society take the responsibility of their society, then its success and prosperity is assured. I am happy that this loyalty of the youth and women wings of Shri Akhil Bhartiya Kutch Kadva Patidar Samaj is visible everywhere today in the form of this festival. I am thankful to all of you for making me a part of Sanatani Shatabdi Mahotsav as a member of your family. Sanatan is not just a word; it is ever new, ever changing. It has an inherent desire to improve itself from the past, and hence, Sanatan is immortal.

Friends,

The journey of any nation is a reflection of the journey of its society. Hundred years history of Patidar Samaj, hundred years journey of Shri Akhil Bhartiya Kutch Kadva Samaj and vision for the future is also a medium to know and see India and Gujarat in a way. What atrocities did the foreign invaders not commit on this society for hundreds of years! But, still the ancestors of the society did not allow their identity to be erased, did not allow their faith to be destroyed. We can see the effect of sacrifices of centuries ago in the present generation of this successful society. Today the people of Kutch Kadva Patidar community are hoisting the flag of their success in the country and abroad. Wherever they are, they are moving forward with their labour and capability. You are present in every sector, be it timber, plywood, hardware, marble or building materials. And I am happy that along with this, you have expanded the respect and honour of your traditions generation after generation, year after year. This society built its present and laid the foundation of its future!

Friends,

I have spent a long time and learned a lot from all of you in political life. While being the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I also got the opportunity to work with you on many issues. Be it the difficult times of the Kutch earthquake, or the prolonged relief and reconstruction efforts that followed, it was the strength of this community that always gave me a sense of confidence. When I am reminded of the days in Kutch, it brings back memories of the past. There was a time when Kutch was one of the most backward districts of the country. Water shortage, hunger, death of animals, migration and misery -- this was the identity of Kutch. If an officer was transferred to Kutch, then it was considered as ‘Kala Pani’, a punishment posting. But over the years, together we have transformed Kutch. The way we worked together to solve the water crisis of Kutch, the way we made Kutch such a major tourist destination in the world, is a great example of ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone's effort). Today I am proud to see that Kutch is one of the fastest growing districts of the country. The connectivity of Kutch is improving and big industries are setting up their units there. Where once it was difficult to even think about farming, today agricultural products are being exported from Kutch to the world. All of you have played a big role in this transformation.

Brothers and sisters,

I am also greatly inspired by Narayan Ramji Limbani. I have also had an intimate relationship with many people who are taking forward Shri Akhil Bhartiya Kutch Kadva Patidar Samaj. Therefore, I also keep getting information about the initiatives and campaigns of this society from time to time. All of you did a commendable job even during the Corona crisis. I am happy that along with the Sanatani Shatabdi celebrations, you have also put forth the vision and resolutions for the next 25 years. Your resolutions for the next 25 years will be fulfilled when the country celebrates 100 years of its independence. The resolutions you have taken from economy to technology, from social harmony to environment and natural farming are linked to the ‘Amrit’ resolutions of the country. I am confident that the efforts of Shri Akhil Bhartiya Kutch Kadva Samaj will give strength to the country's resolutions in this direction and will lead them to success. With this spirit, I wish you all the very best once again.

Thanks!

DS/ VJ