Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS): The Gujarat government on Thursday announced its commitment to allocate more than Rs 231 crore for a range of projects aimed at promoting social harmony and commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made the announcement in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly under Rule 44 on the second day of the ninth session of the 15th Gujarat Assembly.
Under the ‘Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’, the proposed allocation includes funds for education, hostels, libraries, cultural programmes, development of an ashram and modernisation of premises associated with saints belonging to Scheduled Castes.
The government has proposed Rs 40 crore for the construction of a Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bhavan at the state level, with facilities for education, a hostel, library and competitive examination classes.
Another Rs 50 crore has been proposed under the Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidasji Maharaj Vidyashray Yojana for hostel and PG assistance for college students.
Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidasji Maharaj Chair Centre will also be established at Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University in Junagadh.
The government has also proposed grants for activities across 70 universities in Gujarat, including quiz contests, prizes, quickies, hoardings and banners, along with the preparation of books and audiobooks on the life and works of Guru Ravidas.
For cultural programmes in all talukas, Rs 5.36 crore has been proposed, while Rs 93.80 crore has been earmarked for constructing one Samras Bhavan and library in each taluka.
The government has proposed another Rs 10 crore for the overall development of the ashram at Sarsai village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district.
Further Rs 30 crore has been proposed for the modernisation and renovation of premises housing huts and ashrams of various saints belonging to Scheduled Castes.
CM Patel said the initiative is intended to give further impetus to the ideals of social harmony associated with Guru Ravidas.
“Guru Ravidasji Maharaj is not only a saint but also a pioneer of equality, social justice, love, compassion and humanity. His dream was not merely for the welfare of one community, but for the welfare of the entire nation,” CM Patel said in his statement.
He said his ideals could be realised when “every poor person receives justice, every youth gets an opportunity, every woman receives respect, and every citizen gets equal participation in development”.
Referring to the teachings of Guru Ravidas, the Chief Minister said: “Several of his sacred hymns were included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and continue to inspire people to follow the path of truth, love, service and good conduct.”
He also referred to the saying, “Man changa to kathoti mein Ganga”, saying it conveyed the message that a person’s identity was determined by their deeds, thoughts, character and devotion, and that humanity was the greatest religion.
CM Patel said the state government’s proposed allocation of more than Rs 231 crore would be made through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
“The projects would also contribute to the goal of building a developed India by 2047 by drawing on Guru Ravidas’ ideals and taking the lead from a developed Gujarat in building a harmonious and developed India,” he noted.
The 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas is being observed across the country this year under the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan. Gujarat had also organised programmes as part of the anniversary celebrations earlier this year.
