Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led Gandhinagar's 62nd Foundation Day celebrations on 2 August at Koba Lake, planting a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and inspecting a rainwater recharge well built under the 'Catch the Rain' initiative. The event, organised by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, blended environmental conservation with direct welfare delivery to city residents.

Environmental Initiatives at the Forefront

Chief Minister Patel planted a sapling on the Koba Lake premises and reviewed the recharge well installed there to harvest rainwater. According to the municipal corporation, the well is capable of scientifically filtering and channelling between 15 and 20 litres of rainwater per minute into the groundwater table, supporting efforts to restore depleting groundwater levels in the city.

As part of a wider afforestation drive, the civic body announced plans to plant 14,000 native trees across Gandhinagar — including peepal, banyan, mango, and jamun varieties. Of these, 4,000 saplings are earmarked for Koba Lake and 10,000 for Bhat. Both campaigns — 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and 'Catch the Rain' — are aligned with initiatives inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Welfare Benefits Distributed

The Foundation Day also served as a platform for direct benefit transfers across multiple government schemes. Under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, loan assistance worth ₹2.55 lakh was distributed to eight beneficiaries, with four receiving their assistance during the event itself, aimed at supporting small traders and street vendors.

Three sanitation workers were honoured with the 'Best Sanitation Worker' award, each receiving a cash prize of ₹10,000, taking the total award outlay to ₹30,000. Chief Minister Patel also presented nutrition kits to three beneficiaries under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Supplementary Nutrition Scheme, which targets malnutrition among adolescent girls, children, and pregnant women. The municipal corporation said 1,500 mothers across the city would receive similar nutrition kits as part of the Foundation Day outreach.

Two beneficiaries were issued Ayushman Bharat cards to enable cashless healthcare access. In support of the TB-Free India campaign, two tuberculosis patients received nutrition kits containing protein and other essential nutrients. Examination preparation book kits were additionally distributed to city schools to assist students preparing for government competitive examinations.

Who Attended

Gandhinagar Mayor Mira Patel, MLA Rita Patel, the Deputy Mayor, senior leader Ashish Dave, Municipal Commissioner J. S. Prajapati, elected representatives, government officials, and beneficiaries were present at the event.

Significance of the Day

Gandhinagar, which serves as Gujarat's state capital, was established on 2 August 1963, making this its 62nd Foundation Day. The choice to anchor celebrations around environmental and welfare themes reflects a broader administrative push to align civic milestones with national campaigns. With groundwater stress a growing concern across Gujarat's urban centres, the recharge well demonstration carries practical significance beyond the ceremonial.