Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje continued her efforts to reach out to the ‘aam admi’ by having a cup of tea at a popular tea-stall in the walled city here on the occasion of the 65th Republic Day.
People ordering their morning tea at Lakshminarain Sahu’s tea-stall on Chaura Rasta were surprised to find their Chief Minister in their midst on the cold Sunday morning. Ms. Raje, who sat on one of the benches by an angeethi, made a sudden stop at the tea-stall while returning from hoisting the Tricolour at the Badi Chaupar locality.
“Our target is to provide people with an efficient administration and a strong government ... nothing can be accomplished without team work ... Team Rajasthan will make people’s dreams come true and realise the pledge of suraaj [good governance] and will bring Rajasthan to the forefront of development,” the Chief Minister said after hoisting the national flag.
Governor Margaret Alva hoisted the Tricolour at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
The Republic Day parade was led by Rajasthan police officer Shalini Raj. One troop of the Hadi Rani Battalion, two troops of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, and a troop each of the Rajasthan Police, G.R.P. Ajmer, Home Guards (Male, female and border wings) participated in the parade.
Following the parade, 1,100 children from 23 city schools, along with 150 folk artists of the Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi, put forward an attractive display of folk dances. They performed traditional Rajasthani dances such as Chakri, Kacchi Ghori, Terahtaali, Dhap and Gair.
Later, speaking at a Republic Day event held by the Secretariat Employees Union, Ms. Raje said the previous Congress government had brought the State back to the category of BIMARU (sick) States. “Five years ago, with the efforts of officials and employees, we had pulled Rajasthan out of BIMARU States and made it a developed State. But the situation has turned serious following the previous government’s haphazard works and we are back in the BIMARU category.”
“But no matter how difficult the situation is, we will not let Rajasthan be robbed of its pride ... with the people’s partnership, we will build a new Rajasthan,” she added.
In her speech, the Chief Minister said women should not be undervalued. “We are here, because we are the best [and not because of any concessions],” she said.
