Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi enrolled at least 368 children of five villages in the vanvasi-dominated Kaprada taluka of Valsad district on June 17, 2006.
Chief Minister who led the Kanya Kelavani Rathyatra on the second consecutive day of the three-day long Shala Praveshotsav drive conducted by the government to encourage children for school education and to bring down the drop out ratio said, that strengthening of primary education was the utmost priority of his government, not withstanding the politically motivated criticism of the Opposition. He added we have conducted this drive to correct the mistake committed in the past, by them.
Citing the example of brave Eklavya, the vanvasi child of Mahabharat epic, who had mastered the art of archery, without the guidance of any teacher, Shri Modi appealed to the vanvasi children to maintain the great heritage of Eklavya. Appreciating the confidence of two vanvasi children Shanker and Asha who delivered the welcome speech in Dabkhal and Amba Jungle, Shri Modi added that confidence of a vanvasi child is the strength of our State.
He further added only an educated mother can cultivate good habits in the entire family.
Appreciating the vanvasi women's involvement in administration Shri Modi said that the involvement of highly educated vanvasi women in taluka and district level administration will change the scenario of vanvasi area of Gujarat.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited Dabkhal, Amba Jungle, Dixal, Vadoli and Hinda villages of Kaprada and enrolled 186 boys and 182 girls in local primary schools.
Shri Modi gave away school-bag kits to newly enrolled children and handed over bonds of Rs 1,000, called Laxmi Bonds to each of the girl child.
