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Modi’s Gujarat visit Day 2: PM launches Udhna-Jaynagar Antyodaya Express

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Narendra Modi


Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bharuch launched Antyodaya Express via a video link, after addressing public in his hometown Vadnagar, on Sunday.

The Express train which will run between Udhna in Gujarat to Jaynagar in Bihar.

While addressing the public in Bharuch, PM Modi said, the Antyodaya Express is a commendable initiative by the Railway ministry. It connects people and particularly helps those who are from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and work away from their home.

Antyodaya Express will make it easier for people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to go home for Chhath Puja, said PM Modi in his address.

“Workers come to Gujarat to work but then on holidays, he has to reach home. But there are so many difficulties, especially for those from UP, Bihar. So, we have launched the train. This part of Deen Dayal Upadhayay’s dream of Antyodaya,” Modi said.

While claiming that the Sarovar dam was a result of government’s sheer political will, Modi reiterated that the river Narmada is an integral part of Gujarat’s economic and social life.

On Goods and Services Tax, PM Modi said GST has also benefited the farmers and added that farmers were suffering during UPA regime.

He said, the Centre government has made the availability and accessibility of urea easy for the farmers.

Neem coating of urea helped farmers and stopped corruption as well as theft, said PM.

Earlier, PM Modi on his second day of his Gujarat visit, arrived in Vadnagar and while addressing the public said: “Whatever I am today is due to the values I have learnt on this soil, among you all in Vadnagar.”

“I go back with your blessings and assure you that I will work even harder for the nation,” promised Narendra Modi.

The PM added that he is happy that he got to inaugurate projects relating to the health sector, particularly Intensified Mission Indradhanush.

“We brought prices of stents down. Work is constantly being done to make healthcare affordable for the poor,” he added.

During his visit, Modi also met youngsters from a medical college. “We as a society require more doctors who can serve people,” he added.

This is Modi’s third visit in past eight weeks to the poll-bound state.

The celebrated leader visited his school and Hatkeshwar Temple during his visit to Vadnagar.

On Saturday night, the PM said his hometown visit will bring back several memories from his childhood.

“I look forward to visiting Vadnagar, my hometown tomorrow morning. This visit will bring back several memories from my childhood,” Modi tweeted.

On Saturday opening his speech in Gandhinagar, the PM recalled his childhood days when he sold tea at the railway station in his hometown Vadnagar. “You all are IITians. But I am the one who is just a ‘teaian’, a chaiwala” Modi said, evoking laughter from the audience.

Earlier on Day 1, Modi addressed a gathering after laying the foundation stone for a greenfield airport at Hirasar near temple town of Chotila in Surendranagar district.

Also read: Diwali arrived a fortnight before time, says PM Modi on GST tweak

“There is no substitute for development. Everybody, even a very poor person, wants development. If you ask any poor person if he wants a house, he would say yes. You cannot give houses to the poor without development,” Modi said.

Earlier, addressing the Dwarka gathering, Modi said, said, “When Madhavsinh Solankiji was (Gujarat) CM, I recall front page advertisements — ‘CM coming to Jamnagar to inaugurate a water tank’. This is how narrow their concept of development was.”

The PM also addressed a gathering of IIT students in Gandhinagar, calling for steps to bridge the digital divide, while emphasising on innovation.

“In this day and age, we cannot afford to have a digital divide. If some are empowered in technology and some not, this digital divide can create a big problem for social harmony,” he said, adding digital literacy was an important element in ensuring good governance and transparency.

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