PM dedicates water project for pilgrims Thursday, November 1, 2001
News Source : Times News Network
SOMNATH: Prime Minister Vajpayee on Wednesday dedicated the drinking water pipeline based on Hiran -2 dam to the pilgrims visiting the Somnath temple.
With this, the people visiting Somnath would now get sweet water instead of the salty water they used to get so far. The project has been taken up jointly by the Somnath Trust and the Gujarat Heavy Chemicals, and the state government would chip in 50 per cent of the cost. The pilgrims would be provide .05 million gallons of water per day through the scheme.
The prime minister also unveiled the stone plaque of the Triveni ghat which has been renamed as Morarji ghat in remembrance of the former prime minister.
Vajpayee also attended the concluding function of the Shree Somnath Jyotirling Pran Pratisthan golden jubilee celebration. The celebrations were launched a year ago on May 13, 2000 by Union home minister L K Advani. He had released a book 'Shree Somnath: Yugvart Punarnirman'. During the concluding session, the prime minister released a book 'Shree Somnath: Sanskriti Tirthnirman'. The two volumes contain information on history Somnath temple.
The prime minister also released the Gujarati version of the original Marathi book 'Shree Somnath Tirth' which gives an account of the Jyotirling Pran Pratisthan done by the first president of India Rajendra Prasad on May 11, 1951.
During the year long celebrations of the Pran Pratisthan, idols of Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman were installed at the extended portion of the Ahalyabai temple.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Strict security shadowed response Thursday, November 1, 2001
News Source: Times News Network
SOMNATH: This pilgrim town wore a festive and saffron look during the day-long Somnath Jyotirling Pran Pratisthan celebration here on Wednesday. Almost the entire state cabinet was present.
The Yuva BJP took out an impressive rally by 4,400 volunteers on 2200 motorcycles, some of whom had come from as far as tribal Dangs in South Gujarat and Banaskantha in north Gujarat.
The function was however subdued as just 10,000 people had come to see and listen to the prime minister. They withstood the humid climate as the temperature soared to 38.3 degree C.
Unprecedented security cover was given to the prime minister's entourage. However, authorities had dual standards for ministers and other dignitaries. While ministers were allowed to carry mobile phones at the venue, journalists and others were told to leave them elsewhere. The Somnath temple was out of bounds for the devotees and no one was allowed on Wednesday after the special protection group jawans took position in the temple a day earlier.
All roads leading to the temple were closed to traffic and guests in the guest houses near the bus stand were told to stay indoors till the PM's entourage left the spot. Even the ST stand at Somnath had been cleared and no buses were allowed to enter or leave the city till late evening. Instead of ST buses, police vans were parked at the bus stand.
Even shops and hotels near the temple were asked to down their shutters during the VIP visit. There was obvious lack of enthusiasm on part of the commonman for the visit as they were kept away at a distance from the road to have a glance of their prime minister. The security personnel were perched atop all houses surrounding the temple. The tight security had a dampening impact on the people to have a look at Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Almost 1500 police personnel were pressed into service besides the SPG personnel.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
'With choodiyan we also wear kada' Thursday, November 1, 2001
News Source:Times News Network
SOMNATH: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday warned Pakistan against any kind of "mischief" on Indian soil and asserted that any adventure would be repelled in the same way.
In a clear reference to President Musharraf's recent remarks on television against Indian aggression, when he had said that Pakistanis had not worn bangles, Vajpayee said, "With 'choodiyan' we also wear 'kada' (a solid metal bracelet worn by men). Though we do not speak such language, we will not be cowed down by any kind of threat."
Addressing a large gathering here after unveiling the Morarji Ghat and participating in the golden jubilee celebrations of the rebuilding of Somnath temple, Vajpayee said, "So far we have maintained restraint, but at the same time we have kept our Army on alert and our scientists ready to meet any kind of eventuality. We will protect the integrity of India at any cost."
Vajpayee said, "Kashmir is an integral part of India and will continue to be so despite best efforts by subversive elements to divide India. In 1947 India was divided but it will not be divided again." He dubbed the first division "unfortunate".
"India is united and ready to face any kind of challenge", Vajpayee said. 'Let no one have any kind of doubt on this." Warning Pakistan and all those indulging in terrorist and divisive activities, Vajpayee pointed out, "All those who tried to demolish the Somnath temple failed to accomplish their mission. The same fate awaits those who try to divide India into groups."
Paying glowing tributes to Sardar Patel on his 125th birth anniversary, he said, "Had Sardar Patel not been there India would not have been united. The British wanted to divide India into 500 small states, but it was due to the efforts of Sardar that India is united today."
Praising the people of Gujarat who had withstood five natural calamities during the past five years, Vajpayee said Gujarat had resolved to move ahead and reconstruction of Kutch after the quake was an example of Gujarati resilience. "The people of Gujarat have not learnt to accept defeat in any sphere of life."
Remarked Vajpayee, "Gujarat has been reconstructed in a manner similar to the reconstruction of Somnath temple each time it was attacked."
Playing to the galleries, and responding to demands made by Chief Minister Modi, Vajpayee said the Centre would provide aid for developing tourist centres in the state. The region had been demanding broad gauge rail connection to Somnath and the work would be completed soon.
Union home minister Advani said the British had not only given freedom to India and Pakistan but also sown seeds of division. Yet, India could withstand it, which was its was united and integrated as a nation.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Sanjay Joshi as new BJP national secretary Wednesday, October 31, 2001
News Source: Times News Network
AHMEDABAD: In a move that will have immense implications for the ruling BJP and is bound to please Chief Minister Modi, Gujarat BJP's all-powerful organisation secretary and RSS nominee in the state, Sanjay Joshi, has been elevated to the post of BJP national general secretary.
Modi had held the post before his triumphant return to the state as CM. The move may help Modi gain better control of the party unit in Gujarat though it will create a void in the organisation.
A bachelor and engineering graduate, Joshi had replaced Modi as the state organisation secretary when the latter was banished from the state at the behest of then chief minister Keshubhai Patel. Soon, he established complete control over the party with the blessings of the RSS and the BJP leadership.
Though many see it as an elevation for Joshi, it is a fact that many BJP leaders were gunning for him after the party's successive defeats in panchayat and municipal polls, and the recent by-elections to Sabarkantha Lok Sabha and Sabarmati Assembly constituencies.
Joshi's exit will leave a void in the BJP at a time when another general secretary, Gordhanbhai Zadaphia, has been inducted as home minister into the Modi ministry. This leaves the third secretary, Jayantibhai Kevat, to assist state BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana in organisational work.
Though Joshi's new assignment has been hailed by those owing allegiance to the Sangh Parivar, the rival group has viewed it as a punitive step, saying the high command has finally held someone in the organisation responsible for the party's waning popularity.
Another theory doing rounds in BJP circles is that national BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy did not wish to reinstate Venkaiah Naidu in the organisation and was in search of an alternative which he found in Sanjay Joshi, whose proximity to senior leader Advani is well known.
Joshi had carved a niche for himself in Gujarat by making serious efforts to secure 117 seats in the Assembly elections in 1998 and 20 seats in the Lok Sabha polls held a year later. He preferred to function from behind the scene, unlike his flamboyant predecessor, and was one of the most elusive politicians as far as the media was concerned.
Operating from his cubicle at the BJP headquarters in Khanpur, Joshi kept a close watch on political developments and used to be quite curt with dissidents, be it Jaspal Singh or Suresh Mehta.
Joshi was seen as a rock-solid supporter of Keshubhai and helped him stay firmly in saddle till the recent charge of guard. He had a major role in Gandhinagar when Modi was sent from New Delhi to replace Keshubhai. It was only because of his considerable influence over party legislators that a rebellion was averted.
When contacted, state BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana said, "Sanjaybhai was a role model of value-based politics and will shine at the central level."
The national BJP president has also appointed Mansukhbhai Vasava, a tribal leader from South Gujarat as secretary, Dr Devendra Pradhan as vice-president and Sukumar Nambiar as treasurer.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
PM to visit Somnath on Nov 01 Wednesday, October 31, 2001
NEWS SOURCE : TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Vajpayee will visit Somnath on Wednesday to be the chief guest at the concluding function of the Somnath Jyotirling Pran-Pratishtha Golden jubilee celebrations.
During his hectic schedule, between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm, the prime minister will have a 'darshan' of the Somnath temple and will garland the statue of Sardar Patel. He will also address a gathering on the occasion.
Vajpayee will unveil the foundation stone plaque at the Morarji Desai ghat and will dedicate a drinking water pipeline project for the benefit of Somnath pilgrims. Morarji Desai had helped immensely in the development of Somnath. His last relics were immersed in Trivedi Sangam at Prabhas. The Somnath Trust has decided to renovate and rename Triveni ghat as Morarji ghat.
Various programmes were organised during the Golden Jubilee year. On May 13, while launching the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Union home minister Advani released a commemorative volume called 'Shree Somnath: Yugvarti Punarnirman'. Now on the day of the Golden Jubilee concluding function, the prime minister will release the Golden Jubilee publication of 'Shri Somnath: Sanskriti-Tirthnirman'.
Both these volumes were edited by Vishnubhai Dave and contains authentic information on the history of Somnath and Prabhas, information on the reconstruction of the Somnath temple and the present and future development of Somnath Tirth.
Former president Rajendra Prasad had performed the Jyotirling Pran-Pratishtha ceremony on May 11, 1951, which was held under the 'acharyapad' of Tarktirth Laxmanshastri Joshi. A Marathi book called 'Shree Somnath Tirth', written by the late Gautambua Pathak, contains the vivid narration of the Jyotirling Pran-Pratishtha ceremony performed in 1951 under Tarktirth Laxmanshastri Joshi.
The Shree Somnath Trust has prepared and printed its first Gujarati edition to be released by Vajpayee, which is a historic reference volume of the original material. Kishore Pathak, son of Gautambua Pathak, will also be present on the occasion.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
