Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 21000 crore while participating in the Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan at Vadodara.

At the outset, the PM said that today, for him, is a day of Matru Vandana (mother worship). He started his day by seeking blessings from his mother who entered her 100th year today. After that, he inaugurated the redeveloped temple of Shree Kalika Mata at Pavagadh Hill, where he prayed for the country and asked the goddess for strength to serve the country and realisation of the country’s pledges in the Amrit Kaal. He then bowed to the vast ‘Matru Shakti’ present on the occasion.

He said the projects launched today will give strength to the conception of India’s development through Gujarat’s development. He said that this huge investment in maternal health, houses for the poor, connectivity and higher education will give a boost to the industrial development of Gujarat.

Many of these projects, he said, are related to the health, nutrition and empowerment of women. He said today, the efforts of the double engine government to make women’s empowerment the fulcrum of development got a new push by the blessings of Maa Kalika.

“Rapid development of women, their empowerment is equally important for the rapid development of 21st century India. Today India is making plans and taking decisions keeping in mind the needs and aspirations of women”, he said.

The PM said that opportunities have been thrown open in all the sectors for women and the government has made schemes for the empowerment of women keeping in mind every phase of their life cycle. “Vadodara is a suitable city for the celebration of matru shakti because it is a city giving sanskars like a mother. Vadodara is a city of Sanskaras. This city takes care of those who come here in every way, supports them in happiness and sorrow and gives them opportunities to move forward,” he added.

The PM said; “We have tried to give more opportunities in the decision-making space, to promote women in Gujarat at every level. Understanding the management ability of women, sisters have been given leadership roles in many projects related to the village.”

He also reiterated the commitment to ensure a central role for the women in the financial decision-making of the family.