A MAHATMA MANDIR IN GANDHINAGAR
The Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad is a huge stadium. In fact, with a capacity of 54000 seats, it is the largest stadium in Gujarat. I had last visited this place for the oath taking ceremony of Shri Narendra Modi and his Cabinet in December 2007 after the BJP’s spectacular victory in the State Assembly elections.
So, on May 1 this year, the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the formation of Gujarat in 1960, I was astounded to hear when I reached this stadium, the venue fixed for Swarnim Gujarat Celebrations, that the stadium was not only jam packed but that there were as many people outside the gates wanting entry as there were inside.
The Times of India, Ahmedabad, in its main story on page one reported:
“For a generation that has grown up knowing their home-state of Gujarat only as a business-driven dry state on the west coast of the country, Saturday’s Swarnim show was an eye-opener. In brilliantly synchronized multimedia show that began with fireworks, the story of Gujarat from pre-historic era, through the era of Siddhraj Jaisingh, Sultan Ahmed Shah, the landing of Parsis at Sanjan and the separation of Bombay state to become a separate entity in 1960, was narrated before a jam- packed crowd at Sardar Patel stadium here.
Outside a huge crowd, including bureaucrats, politicians and other VVIPs, struggled to be part of the celebration and got turned away by the security guards, because the stadium was packed far beyond its capacity.”
Something followed that may have never happened anywhere before. After profusely apologizing to the gathering Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced that the one and –a- half hour music dance cum laser show would be repeated on May 2 evening for those who had not been able to attend that day !
In the last sixty years I have seen many government leaders celebrating silver jubilees, or golden jubilees of various events or institutions. But what Narendra Bhai Modi has done in Gujarat is something unique. Swarnim Gujarat Samaroh has been not just a government function. By his imaginative approach, and his innovativeness, and his charismatic appeal and hard work, he has actually made it a massive people’s samaroh.
The Jaya Nad, for example which the Governor, the C.M., and I participated in at the University function of NRIs (from outside India) and NRGs (from other states of India) was organised at 7.30 PM on 30th April not only there, but at nearly 50000 places in all the cities, towns and 18000 villages of Gujarat at exactly the same time !
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I spent the last weekend (April 30, May 1 and 2) in my constituency, Gandhinagar. These days the entire state is in a festive mood, because it is the Golden Jubilee year of the formation of the State.
As a representative of this constituency I feel happy that the State Government has on this occasion declared Gandhinagar a Corporation. Chief Minister, Narendra Bhai called it a swarnim gift. This gift would automatically entitle it to get funds from the Union Government’s Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission Funds. This time’s visit, however, made me even happier about the launching of a new project in Gandhinagar – the Mahatma Mandir.
Estimated to cost Rs. 135 crores, the Mahatma Mandir would be spread over 34 acres. The Mandir is to be developed as a monument to the life and philosophy of the Mahatma, apart from providing a first class Convention Centre. The next Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat is proposed to be held at this newly constructed Convention Centre.
To remind visitors of Gandhiji’s Dandi March, a dome shaped like a salt mound is to provide a museum and meditation centre. The entire planning of this project would be as per green construction technology.
At the inaugural function of the Mandir, prominently displayed on a specially decorated stage near the main dais were numerous kalashs, containing soil and water brought from more than fifty countries of the world wherefrom NRIs had come for the celebrations, and Gujaratis who had come from all the states of the Indian Union. This idea of using the soil and water from different parts of the world for the construction of this Mandir reminded me that in 1951 Dr. K.M. Munshi had had a similar approach in case of the Somnath Mandir, and that Prime Minister Nehru had chastised him for that.
Dr. Munshi reacted sharply to the reproach administrated to him at a Cabinet meeting. He wrote a long letter to the P.M. in which he stressed that reconstruction of Somnath Temple was decided by the Cabinet. Sardar Patel had played a leading role at that time, and Gandhiji had blessed the decision.
Dr. Munshi wrote: “Yesterday you referred to Hindu revivalism. You pointedly referred to me in the Cabinet as connected with Somnath. I am glad you did so; for I don’t want to keep back any part of my views and activities… I can assure you that the ‘Collective Subconscious’ of India today is happier with the scheme of reconstruction of Somnath sponsored by the Government of India than with many other things that we have done and are doing.”
He added: “It is my faith in our past which has given me the strength to work in the present and to look forward to our future. I cannot value India’s freedom if it deprives us of the Bhagwad Gita or uproots our millions from the faith with which they look upon our temples, and destroys the texture of our lives. I have been given the privilege of seeing my incessant dream of Somnath reconstruction come true. That makes me feel – makes me almost sure-that this shrine once restored to a place of importance in our life will give to our people a purer conception of religion and more vivid consciousness of our strength, so vital in these days of freedom and its trials.”
On reading this letter, V.P Menon, the legendary civil servant who assisted Sardar Patel in the gigantic task of the integration of the princely states, wrote a missive to Munshi. “I have seen your masterpiece. I for one would be prepared to live and, if necessary, die by the views you have expressed in your letter.”
L.K. Advani
New Delhi
2nd May, 2010
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May 3rd, 2010 at 9:00 am
Dear Sir, I have all the respect for Bapu but I strongly oppose the proposal of Gujarat Govt. to set up a Mahatma Mandir at the cost of Rs. 135 crores to study Mahatma’s Philosophy.
The country already has so many memorials & institutions in the name of Mahatma promoting Bapu’s philosophy from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Yet, I have no objection to another institution in the name of Bapu but Rs. 135 crores is a big sum. It would have been better if the Government of Gujarat had set up a Corpus Fund in Mahatma’s name and offered Scholarship to Students of Economically Weaker Sections. Even a GURUKUL Pattern School with this kind of fund would be welcome to be dedicated to economically weaker sections.
By the way, how about a Center for the Study of Pt. Deen Dayal’s Vision ? We can’t expect a Congress govt. to do that, but can’t we ?
Praveen Shankar Kapoor
Delhi
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:50 am
Nice narration. I was surprised seeing the letter of Kulapati K.M. Munshi, reproduced by Advaniji. The letter brings out his discipline in using language. He carefully uses the term ‘Collective Subconscious’, rather than using the oft-misused term Collective Unconscious, popularised by the analytical psychologist Carl Jung. While Jung refers to the archetypes shared by the whole of humanity through his term Collective Unconscious, more localised applications of the term later monopolised the semantics of Collective Unconscious, veering the term away from what was originally meant by Jung. Shri Munshi sets an example here, reminding all about the unfairness in the act of arbitrary application of jargons. No wonder, A scholar is a scholar is a scholar !!!
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
So sorry to say that Times Of India-Ahmadabad Edition carried news which was size of 10cm*10cm column on front page. While whole country wanted to read this news on Ahmadabad Edition e-paper, TOI disappointed every one by not featuring it. We all know the biased approach of TOI towards Mr. Modi, hence such small coverage of Gujarat which is celebrating 50 years of presence with development and prosparity in all sectors.
Page number 2 of same TOI was carrying news and a columnist’s article on “Aaman Ki Aasha”, i.e., the relationship of India with Pakistan. This news had full coverage on page ! When the whole of Gujarat was in a festive mood and wanted to know how it went a day before yesterday, the TOI chose to focus on relations with Pakistan instead, thereby affirming it’s biased attitude towards the government and people of Gujrat. TOI must be probed for their alleged link with Pakistani media that they have so much concern about ! They seem to care more about pakistan than their own country !!
May 4th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Praveen Shankar Kapoor wrote : “By the way, how about a Center for the Study of Pt. Deen Dayal’s Vision ?”
Gujarat has a Pt. Deen Dayal Petroleum Institute which is deemed university. It is India’s first and best university which offers full time course on petroleum and refineries. It has seen very good intake of students taking on this courses through the AIEEE entrance exam.
Even Gujarat’s share in Godhavri-Kaveri Basin in AP where GPCIL is carrying gout dredging work, has been named after Pt. Deen Dayal Basin by Gujarat govt. To the best of my information there are 10 wells under production.
Also, regarding GURUKUL Pattern Schools, Swaminarayan community is involved in offering such Gurukul type of courses in Gujarat but not the government. Not sure who gets admission in such institute. Even Gujarat Govt partnered with Adani Group which has opened similar institutes in line with Gurukul system in Gandhinagar.
May 4th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Respected Sir,
Every one knows that Narendra Modiji is the perfect CM. And every state wants these type of CM. He mainly considers the welfare of people. In The 50 years celebrations of Gujarat, he listed the development reforms done by gujarat administration which was not even considered in most of the states. He is gem of all CMs.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Another gem Mr. Modi added to his crown yesterday is that Gujarat and Maharashtra has signed MoU to interlink 4 major rivers which flows across the border region of both state.
This inter linking of all rivers is the dream project of our former president Dr. Kalam, which he envisioned in his biography “Wings On Fire”, Mr. Modi has proved it time and again that he will achieve that dream. Already Gujarat has linked her small and major 21 rivers in the state to over come acute shortage of water for drinking and for irrigation and we all have seen the fruitful result of Gujarat agricultural growth that it stood No: -1 among all states and its average growth was nearly 12% more than the national average. Even renowned economist Swaminathan Ankeshwaria has praised drip irrigation method adopted by Gujarat govt in one of his articles in “Sunday Times”
May 5th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
I come from Bihar and I wonder if even a good nuber of beareaucrats are aware of the proposal the Gujrat govt has opted for. What was more disturbing that it went unnoticed in the country, that is to say even the ideologiocal gain we as a national party should have had was lost without any reason. I wonder what the publicists and strategists are doing in the party ? The ’swarnim Gujrat’ occasion should have sounded like a vibrant force that only BJP can make possible, but Alas ! it went soundless. When I see the ocassion and its connectivty with Bapu, all I am left with is lament. When Party is not in centre it can show off its success only through state machinery. It should be noted as a manifesto in working committees.
The problem with us is that we are yet to cut a line acroos the nation that yes this is what we stand for and this is for what we want to come in the power for. The pricing of Sugar is the main issue among middle class and not the petro hike that party kept on fighting on in the parliament without any gain. Last but not least why you stopped targeting Mrs Gandhi ?
MNREGS IS NOTHING BUT A CALCULATED EFFORT TO KEEP THE POOR AS POOR BEACAUSE THEY ARE A VOTE BANK FOR CONGRESS AND THERE SHOULD BE AN UPFRONT WAR ON THIS NO MATTER WHERE IT GOES. GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE FAR AWAY AND BY NO MEANS IT WOULD EFFECT THE COMING ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND IT WILL GIVE BJP A CAUSE, AN AIM AND ALSO THE MANIFESTO FOR THE COUNTRY.
Sir, we are still hopefull of seeing you one day the PM of this country. May GOD hear me.
JAI HIND
NISHANT
BIHAR
May 5th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Jay Kumar ji tells that there are Oil Wells and a Petroleum Institute in Gujarat in the name of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
With due respect, I do not know how much you know about Pt Deen Dayal ji, my friend ? Pandit ji gave the Vision on which BJP’s ideology stands today and you are talking about a Petroleum Institute in his name ! What have the common people of Gujarat got to do with a Petroleum Institute ?
Had there been an Agriculture University in Pt. Deen Dayal ji’s name, it would still have been a tribute. Is there any Medical College or Hospital named after Pt. ji ? Any Public Welfare Scheme named after Pt. Deen Dayal ji that could attract common people towards him ? ANSWER IS NO. Gujarat govt. has proposed a new 135 crores Center after Mahatma Gandhi in addition to existing establishments while the Petroleum Institute referred to by Mr. Jay might be worth 10 to 20 crores. What a comparison !!
PRAVEEN SHANKAR KAPOOR
Delhi
May 6th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Praveen Shankar Kapoor Says:
Can you guess how much share Gujarat has in these oil fields ? The figure runs in thousands of billions and what it means for people of India ? Natural Gas coming out of this fields are going to each and every house holds very soon in Gujarat. Now don’t say he is selfish that he is taking only to Gujarat even several cities of Madhya Pradesh will be covered with this gas connection. Even Gujarat has signed MoU with Haryana for gas connection. Just imagine, 3 states will be connected. Also imagine how much LPG can be saved from this. Don’t you think its a tribute to this great personality who didn’t get due importance in his life time.
Petroleum university - one of its kind in our country - named after this great personalty is a tribute. Why IISc, IIT’s didn’t give a second thought to such university. Don’t you see it as vision by Mr. Modi ?
May 7th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Dear Advani Ji.
I am a regular visitor of your blog & am impressed with your extensive knowledge… I really appreciate it. But something is missing here… lot of people come here & write comments on your posts but you never give reply to them… I think you should interact with them. Blogging is all about interaction & sharing of thoughts with others…
If you interact with people here, you will fulfil your motive of blogging.
Regards
Rajat
May 29th, 2010 at 12:01 am
Gujrat Govt is building a ‘Mahatma Mandir’ at the cost of Rs 100 crores ! I felt bad. Many others did too.
Some of us friends started the debate on this subject, ‘converting Gandhi into God’ on FaceBook. I had questioned ‘where are Gandhians?’ Happy that they’ve also opposed the Modi move. This debate has taken a shape of a meeting of humanist people (mostly youngsters) to discuss this issue and work out a format of protest. We believe Gandhi was a great human and nobody shall convert him into God; thus rendering his life as devine and un-attainable by people like me and you. He is an ideal for generations to come and Modi and his party wants to make sure that no other Gandhi is created in India. I personally endorse Gandhians’ view as well that these RSS people have no right over Gandhi.
The protest meeting is scheduled on 29th May, Saturday in the eve 6.00 to 8.00 pm at IIM Kitlee, Vastrapur road, Ahmedabad. Open forum, all are invited.