Other States - Rajasthan   

President terms Rajasthan the "brightest jewel of India"

Special Correspondent

Hopes State would prove to be a model for rest of the country

Photo: Gopal Sunger

WARM WELCOME: President A.P.J Abdul Kalam being received at Sanganer airport on Friday by Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

JAIPUR: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Friday termed Rajasthan the "brightest jewel of India" on its 58th Foundation Day and expressed confidence that the State would prove a model for the rest of the country.

Dr. Kalam, who joined Governor Pratibha Patil, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Speaker Sumitra Singh, besides thousands of commoners and tourists here on Janpath, the grand road leading to the magnificent Assembly building where a colourful pageant was set, said the well-endowed State had a great potential for growth.

Reaching the State on a one-day visit, the President attended a programme at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, in Jhunjhunu district before arriving here in the afternoon. Prior to joining the joyous crowds on Janpath, the President spent some time with differently-abled children at "Prayas", an NGO here.

Dr. Kalam, who remained on the dais on Janpath for 60 minutes and later interacted with people and school children who had lined up along Janpath as fireworks lit the Pink City's skyline, did not make a public speech but presented a road map for the State's progress in a message addressed to the members of the Rajasthan Assembly.

The President's "Vision for Rajasthan" talked about the number of people living below poverty line in the State coming to zero by 2017 from the existing 16 per cent and the per capita income going up to Rs.75,000 from the present Rs.17, 500. The infant mortality rate, for which the State remains much maligned, would be down to 10 per thousand from the present 67.

Dr. Kalam envisaged Rajasthan coming out of the morass of illness by 2017 when the State would be free from water borne diseases and

quality health care would be affordable to all. The State would then realize 100 per cent literacy from the existing 62 per cent and the Human Development Index would be less than five. All the citizens of Rajasthan, particularly women, would be empowered with quality education, healthcare and employment potential, he observed.

"Rajasthan is blessed with a large land mass, natural resources such as minerals and materials, many places of tourist attraction and traditionally brave people with the mighty will and courage to face even severe natural hazards like drought," Dr. Kalam, who himself has spent a decade in the desert during the post-Pokhran II days, observed. The Indira Gandhi Canal Project, availability of oil and gas and lignite would augment electric power.

"With all these resources, Rajasthan has the potential to transform into a prosperous State well before 2017," he noted.

Dr. Kalam also wanted the citizens of Rajasthan to take a seven-point oath on its Foundation Day; to plant at least five trees and water them with rainwater harvesting, to work for development of the State, adopt the small family norm, to teach at least five persons to read and write, conserve water, help tourists and lead a righteous life upholding the Rajasthani culture.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

President terms Rajasthan the "brightest jewel of India"
Dholpur power unit synchronised

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu