Modi reaches out to minorities

In a bid to widen his appeal across the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday flagged-off the “run for unity” in Vadodara.

The run, primarily to mobilise support for raising the world’s tallest statue for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Sadhubet near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, was flagged-off simultaneously in several places across the country.

State government sources claimed that the run was organised across 1,100 places in which 40 lakh individuals took part.

After flagging-off the run, Modi said India would emerge as a super power in the world on the pillars of unity, good governance and people’s participation. “This is not a mere run, but a movement that would eventually lead India into becoming a super power,” he claimed.

Modi, who has been talking about inclusive development, also reached out to the minority communities saying India’s diversity is not her weakness, but her strength. “Our diversity does not exist merely on paper. It is our unique identity and the source of our strength,” Modi said.

“It is the responsibility of our present and future generations strengthening India’s unity in her diversity.  Run for Unity is a drive towards patriotism and that it should not be seen as a part of politics,” he added.

Following the path of Sardar Patel’s message of unity, Gujarat has emerged as a
model of development for the last decade in the world and alike Gujarat, India could also be a super power by joining people with the strength of unity, Modi claimed.

“With a view to spreading the message of unity, the Gujarat government would conduct an essay competition in schools across the country and prizes worth Rs 2.5 crore would be given to 55050 schools,” he said, adding that Gujarat government had contacted nearly two lakh schools for the competition.

“Gujarat would construct world’s tallest Statue of Unity and with the strength of our unity, India would emerge as giant as this statue on the global horizon,” Modi said.