Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat on Saturday, 3 May 2025, boarded a regular State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus from Adajan bus stand in Surat and travelled to Jinod village in Olpad taluka, setting aside protocol arrangements to travel as an ordinary passenger amid temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in the region. The Governor purchased his ticket and paid digitally, in a gesture intended to promote both public transport use and cashless transactions among citizens.

The Journey and Passenger Interactions

Travelling without special security or protocol arrangements, Governor Devvrat interacted with fellow passengers throughout the journey, enquiring about their well-being and discussing their experiences with the state-run bus service. Passengers on board reportedly expressed surprise at sharing the journey with the constitutional head of Gujarat. The Governor's choice to travel in sweltering summer heat — with temperatures in Surat crossing 40°C — drew particular attention, underlining what officials described as a deliberate effort to connect with everyday citizens.

Not the First Time

This is not the first occasion on which Acharya Devvrat has opted for state-run bus services. He has on several previous occasions used GSRTC buses as part of a broader approach of engaging with citizens in everyday settings, according to Raj Bhavan officials. The pattern reflects a consistent public posture of eschewing formal conveniences in favour of grassroots interaction.

Gram Kalyan Programme: What It Involves

The bus ride is part of the Governor's wider Gram Kalyan initiative, under which he conducts weekly programmes across different talukas of Gujarat. During these visits, he participates in tree plantation drives covering one acre of land under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, takes part in village cleanliness drives alongside residents, and visits households from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities for meals. Evening sessions typically include discussions with villagers on topics such as education, health, de-addiction, animal husbandry, environmental conservation, social harmony, and natural farming.

Overnight Stays and Farm Visits

Rather than staying in formal accommodation, Governor Devvrat is known to spend nights in government school classrooms during these visits. Early mornings include yoga sessions with schoolchildren, followed by visits to farms practising natural farming. He also interacts with farmers, offers guidance on agricultural practices, and participates in activities such as milking cattle. Concluding sessions involve taluka-level farmer discussions focused on natural farming methods. The Gram Kalyan programme has become a recurring feature of his tenure, positioning the Governor as an unusually hands-on constitutional authority in the state.