Gujarat is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and since BJP’s sweeping victory in 2014 Lok Sabha, it is also known as the land of Narendra Modi.
The PM’s home state is once again gaining focus ahead of its assembly elections. The BJP citadel is preparing for yet another round of victory. As a result of the long saffron rule and being the playground of VHP, the state is frequently being referred to as “Hindutva’s laboratory”.
The state has been the centre of Hinduism but for reasons other than communal. Gujarat has one of the most sacred Hindu places of worship. No Hindu pilgrimage is complete without a visit to the Dwarkadhish temple at Dwarka, one of the Chaar dhams. The Somnath temple at Somnath, on the western coast of Gujarat, the first of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva.
The vibrant state has many firsts to its credit. On his return from South Africa, Gandhiji first made the banks of Sabarmati River his home. Independent India’s first police action happened in Junagarh in 1949.
The Navnirma movement was launched in 1974 and the state also saw India’s first large scale anti-reservation protests. BJP started its politics of Ram from Gujarat, when LK Advani started his Rath Yatra from Somnath in 1990.
Gujarat is also known for exemplary collaboration between the state and the business sector. The inspiring journey of Amul continues after 70 years of its inception in 1946. With 3.6 million joint owners, the milk cooperative is pride of the nation. The Tatas, Ambanis and Adanis have benefited greatly from the saffron rule and contrariwise is also true.
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