Page 82 - SocialHarmony

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O that I might have a House of My Own!

(On the occasion of announcing the ` 13000 crores Garib
Samriddhi Yojna, Panchdev Mahadev Temple,
Arbudanagar, Odhav, Ahmedabad. June 3, 2007)

Gujarat’s journey of progress has been a rapid one. Whenever
there is rapid industrialization we see massive migration
of people from villages to cities. City dwellers are not only
blessed with money, but also with immense luxuries. However,
without the support of the menial workers, even their life tends
to become uncomfortable. If a servant goes on leave for four
days, the housewife falls sick. If the driver is not available, the
factory-owner decides not to go to work. If two workers
manning important machines don’t turn up, the work of the
factory is stalled. All of us have experienced how our social life
feels scattered without our panwalla, pakodawalla or rikshawwalla.
All our wealth stands to naught if this class of worker is not
available. If this is true, it is our social responsibility to make
life easier for this class. We are not obliging them by thinking
about their welfare; it is part of our duty. Even the person
belonging to the lowest strata of society has a claim on us.
Haphazard schemes will not lead to a revolution. The State
Government has come up with an all-encompassing scheme
called “Garib Samriddhi Yojna” (scheme for prosperity of the
poor) with an outlay of ` 13000 crores, targeted for the welfare
of this important stratum of society.