AMN / GANDHINAGAR
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India could not afford to have a digital divide. Addressing a public meeting after dedicated IIT Gandhinagar campus to the nation, Mr Modi said that work is underway to spread digital literacy to every part of the country, among all age groups and sections of society. He also felicitated Trainees under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan in Gandhinagar.
The Prime Minister emphasizes that a Digital India guarantees transparency, effective service delivery and good governance.
Speaking of education he said, the academics of the country should not be exam-driven and the focus should be on innovation.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister laid the Foundation Stones for a greenfield airport in Rajkot, six-laning of Ahmedabad-Rajkot National Highway and four-laning of Rajkot-Morbi State Highway. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation, a fully automatic milk processing and packaging plant of Sursagar dairy and a drinking water distribution pipeline for Joravarnagar and Ratanpur area of Surendranagar district.
Addressing a public meeting in Chotila in Surendranagar district Mr Modi said, the definition of development has now changed. He said, from the days when handpumps were seen to be a sign of development, today the waters of the Narmada River have been brought for the benefit of citizens.
Saying that water has always been important for Gujarat, he added that with the waters of Narmada reaching Saurashtra, large amount of water is being made available for agriculture and dairy sector.
The Prime Minister urged people to use water responsibly, and conserve every drop. He also urged farmers to use drip irrigation to conserve more water and increase the productivity of agriculture. He said micro-irrigation methods will play a big role in doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
The Prime Minister, who is on a two-day visit to his home state Gujarat, talking about the expansion of aviation sector said, his government made aviation affordable and within reach of the lesser privileged.
Earlier, the Prime Minister laid foundation Stone of 4 laning of Porbandar Dwarka section and of 2 and 4 laning of Gadu-Porbandar section.
Prime Minister after laying foundation Stone of cable-stayed bridge between Okha Port and Bet Dwarka said, it is an effort to establish the historic links between this two places. He said that this will also end the difficulties faced by pilgrims since many years.
The Prime Minister said that government is spending a huge amount for widening of roads and linking places of tourist interest. He said that this will enhance economy and trade and business via. employment at the local level. He said that government is emphasising on 1600 km long sea coast of Gujarat for port-led development to encourage the blue economy.
Prime Minister also announced to set up country’s biggest Marine police research Institute in Devbhumi Dwarka district in Dwarka. He described the recent GST Council decisions as Diwali gifts to trade, industry and business community.