Speaking on Saturday on the eve of the 75th anniversary of independence in Godhra, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel stressed that Indians must keep alive “the ancient Indian culture, our Hindu dharma and our Indian democracy”, while recalling the ideologue of Hindutva Vinayak Savarkar.
“Many have been martyred in our struggle for freedom. Many accepted death by hanging. Veer Savarkar suffered the kaala paani punishment. They wrote history. We are independent and free citizens today, but we must not forget our martyrs, nor must we allow our future generations to forget them. We know that countries who forget their history or their ancient culture, that country or that civilization is ruined. Our great ancient culture, our Hindu dharma, our Indian democracy must be kept alive.
Meanwhile, warning citizens not to let their guard down over Covid-19, Patel hailed the “leadership” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“For the past year and a half, there has been no discussion other than Covid-19…print, electronic, all media and everyone was discussing the coronavirus and when we will be free of it. Fortunately, under the far-sighted leadership of Narendra Modi and his decisions, whether it’s lockdown or unlocking, following the repatriation of migrant workers, giving free vaccines to millions of citizens of the country, giving five kilograms of rations free – all were done by the central government under the leadership of Modi saheb and the government of Gujarat under the leadership of Vijay Rupani.
“On August 7, it was five years since Vijaybhai as CM and I as Deputy CM were sworn in and with the cooperation of Gujarat jantā, thousands of BJP karyakartas and others, we completed the term with success. The cyclone has arrived, the Covid-19 has arrived, many questions have been asked, with the cooperation of our fellow citizens, doctors and paramedics, our “corona warriors”, the police force, the frontline workers, we have managed to report the fewest daily cases across the country…”
“…We have started setting up oxygen plants all over the state now…Our health department is trying to get the medical school in Godhra started at the earliest…I want to clarify that the cases of Covid-19 have diminished but not gone away. We must not be fearless and adhere to norms…”
