PM Modi Recalls 2001 Banaskantha Rally; Marks 25 Years Of Public Service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled his first major public programme in Banaskantha after becoming Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001.

At the Khatla Sabha in Bhildi, PM Modi recalled a three-lakh-strong gathering in 2001, claiming its record may still stand.

The Prime Minister drew attention to the distinctive seating arrangement at Friday’s event, where people sat on traditional village charpoys. He praised Banaskantha for preserving the tradition and said the gathering could have set a Guinness World Record.

“Perhaps the people of the world would be surprised to see that everyone in this gathering is sitting on charpoys. Banaskantha has kept this great tradition of our villages alive today,” he said.

PM Modi linked the visit to the completion of 25 years of his public service. He recalled that his first major programme in the region as Gujarat Chief Minister was a Lok Kalyan Mela in 2001, which attracted nearly three lakh people.

“Where I began my journey, I have got an opportunity today to give an account of 25 years of service,” he said.

PM Modi said the current visit marked his first programme in Banaskantha after completing 25 years in public life.

The Prime Minister acknowledged farmers across the country who joined the event through technology. He further greeted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary.

PM Modi said he had planned to address the gathering in Gujarati but opted for Hindi to reach participants joining from across the country. He paid tribute to Maa Amba and sought her blessings during Navratri.

Earlier, PM Modi launched and dedicated several projects concerning women, children, farmers and livestock owners. He further released the 24th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme.

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