Viksit Gujarat key to Viksit Bharat, says CM Bhupendra Patel in Diwali message
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday, 7 November issued a Diwali and New Year message to the state's seven crore residents, calling for collective resolve to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' — a developed India — through a 'Viksit Gujarat'. The message was released on the occasion of Vikram Samvat 2083 and was also addressed to Gujarati communities settled across the world.
The Core Message
Patel urged citizens to embrace the spirit of 'We Will Do It', framing Diwali not merely as a festival of lights but as an occasion to renew commitments toward economic prosperity, good governance, security, and social unity. He extended wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity, contentment, and good health to every family in the new year.
The Chief Minister credited the foundation of Gujarat's current development trajectory to the governance reforms initiated by PM Modi in 2001, when Modi served as the state's Chief Minister. 'Following the principle of Sankalp thi Siddhi (achievement through resolve), Gujarat had established itself as a growth engine at the global level,' Patel said.
Governance Mantra and Development Milestones
Patel invoked the governance philosophy of 'Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas, Sauno Vishwas and Sauno Prayas' — broadly meaning collective participation, collective development, collective trust, and collective effort — saying its consistent application had helped Gujarat achieve milestones across multiple sectors. He described the collective energy, self-reliance, and skills of seven crore Gujaratis as central to the state's forward momentum under PM Modi's national leadership.
Environmental Commitments
On the environmental front, Patel highlighted several initiatives aligned with PM Modi's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) vision. These include the Green Credit initiative and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0' campaign — a tree-plantation drive. He noted that efforts to maintain ecological balance through rainwater harvesting and tree plantation were ongoing across the state, from the Rann of Kutch to emerging development hubs such as Dholera. The Chief Minister also expressed hope that young people would actively participate in environmental conservation campaigns in the coming year.
Call to Build an Atmanirbhar Bharat
Extending his new year wishes for Vikram Samvat 2083, Patel called upon citizens to contribute actively to state development and position themselves as builders of a 'Viksit Gujarat' within the broader national framework of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' — a self-reliant India. The message reinforces the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government's alignment with the Centre's overarching development narrative ahead of what observers note is an increasingly competitive political environment in western India.