Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 31 October 2025, laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a series of developmental projects worth over ₹14,000 crore in Banaskantha, Gujarat, drawing an enthusiastic response from farmers, cattle rearers, and women in the region who called it a 'gift before Diwali'. The visit marks one of the most significant investment pushes in the district in recent memory.

Key Projects Launched

Among the highlights was the inauguration of the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC), built at a cost of ₹325 crore, which locals said could transform the region's dairy economy. Prime Minister Modi also disbursed a fresh instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to lakhs of small farmers across the country during the event. The projects collectively cover a range of sectors — women's welfare, child development, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

Modi on Agriculture and 'Viksit Bharat'

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi described 'annadatas' (farmers) as among the strongest pillars of Viksit Bharat, reiterating the government's commitment to rural development. He pointed to a five-fold rise in the national agricultural budget over the past decade as evidence of the Centre's sustained thrust on agrarian welfare. The event was held ahead of the Diwali festival, and the timing added to the celebratory mood on the ground.

What Residents Said

The mood in Banaskantha was visibly upbeat, with attendees vocal about the impact they expect from the new facilities. A local resident said, 'When the Prime Minister arrived, we hoped he would bring us significant gifts, and he did exactly that... With this new facility, we will be able to produce more milk than ever before.' Cattle-rearer Gitaben told reporters, 'Previously, there was no water here, and our fields remained parched. Now, there is greenery everywhere... We receive good prices for our milk, with better rates based on fat content. We are earning a good income, and everyone is very happy about it.'

A resident of Bhildi village noted that 'good roads have been constructed, and water has reached our village's pond,' while another attendee highlighted that border-adjacent areas like Suigam, which once lacked access to even drinking water, have seen major change following canal infrastructure work.

Women Given Platform at the Event

Attendees noted that Prime Minister Modi actively encouraged women participants to speak at the event. 'When a woman stood up to speak, we thought the PM might not notice her, but instead, he encouraged her and invited her to speak,' one participant observed. This comes amid the government's broader push to position women-led development as a pillar of its rural welfare agenda.

Significance for Banaskantha

Banaskantha, a district bordering Rajasthan and Pakistan, has historically lagged on development indicators. The influx of canal water, dairy infrastructure, and road projects represents a structural shift for communities that previously struggled with water scarcity. As the new facilities become operational, the region's capacity to scale milk production and agrarian output will be closely watched as a test of the Centre's rural development model in Gujarat's border districts.