Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will observe his second one-day “Sadbhavana Mission” fast at Navsari in south Gujarat on Thursday.
His first one-day fast of the second round of the “Sadbhavana Mission” was held at the famous pilgrim town of Dwarka on Sunday. Mr. Modi announced that he would observe one-day fasts at each of the 26 districts and seven municipal corporation areas in the State to spread “peace, unity and goodwill” among all sections of the people in the State.
Cabinet spokesman and Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas said preparations had almost been completed to hold the event at Navsari amidst unprecedented enthusiasm among the people in the talukas around Navsari. At least 5,000 people would also fast along with Mr. Modi besides thousands of others visiting the spot. Religious leaders of various communities would also bless the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Before beginning the fast, Mr. Modi would pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his ashram there and inaugurate an exhibition of painting by the students of a local college.
Arrangements had also been made by voluntary organisations to flag off seven truckloads of relief material for the flood-affected people of Orissa. Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, an MP from Orissa, would be present on the occasion.
Mr. Vyas announced assistance of about Rs.20 lakh each to the family members of two jawans of the Chetak commando, responsible for the Chief Minister's security, who died in an accident on Sunday. A group of commandos was rushing to Dwarka from Gandhinagar for the security cover of Mr. Modi during his first “Sadbhavana Mission” fast there when the vehicle skidded and fell into a ditch following a tyre burst. Vikramsinh Parmar and Chimanbhai Chaudhary were killed and 13 others suffered injuries.
Pointing out that the government had already made arrangements under its various funds for all its staff engaged in risky and life-threatening jobs, Mr. Vyas said that among the assistance the families of the deceased commandos would get would be about Rs.15 lakh from the group insurance scheme and Rs. 4 lakh to Rs.6 lakh as compensation calculated on the basis of the remaining period of service with the force.
