Avdisha, 8th Standard, Wisdom World School, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India - 136118

Area: 1,96,024 sq. km

Population: 60,439,692 (census 2011)

Capital: Gandhinagar

Jurisdiction of High Court: Gujarat High Court

Principle language: Gujarati

State flower: Marigold

State tree: Mango

State animal: Asiatic lion

State bird: Greater flamingo

Official website: http://www.gujaratindia.com

The history of Gujarat goes back to 2000 BC. It is believed that Lord Krishna left Mathura to settle in the west coast of Saurashtra which later came to be known as Dwarka. Later it witnessed various kingdoms as Mauryas, Guptas and others. It was during the rule of Chalukya’s (Solankis) that Gujarat witnessed progress and prosperity. In spite of the plundering of Mahmud Ghazni, the Chalukya kings were able to maintain general prosperity and well-being. After this glorious respite, Gujarat faced troubled times under the Muslims, Marathas and the British rule. Before independence, the present territories of Gujarat used to be in two parts - the British and the Princely territories. With the re-organization of the states, the Union of the States of Saurashtra and the Union Territory of Kachchh along with the former British Gujarat became a part of the biggest bilingual State of Bombay. Gujarat officially formed as a state in May 1960. It is situated on the west coast of India. The State is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north and north-east respectively, Madhya Pradesh in the south-east and Maharashtra in the south.

Mahatma Gandhi Swachhata Mission

The nationwide cleanliness campaign was launched in 2014 with a call to free India of filth by the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji on October 2, 2019. Gujarat is the most active state in implementing ‘Swatchh Bharat’ campaign and launched statewide ‘Swatchh Gujarat, Swasth Gujarat’ campaign to free the state of open defecation.

Urban Mission

Grant sanctioned to undertake development works for basic facilities such as underground sewerage, road and potable water supply in towns and cities. Special thrust has been incurred for potable water supply. 30 schemes for potable water supply were completed and 68 more are in progress. Seven sewerage related schemes were completed and 143 are in progress. Around 27 sewerage treatment plants for waste water treatment are in progress.

U-WIN Card Shramev Jayate

A scheme for securing rights of labours was launched under Shramev Jayate programme. The state government has brought labours of unorganized sector on a platform and made registration of more than 4 lakh labours through Shramyogi Kalyan Mela. Also, kits worth 12.40 crore were distributed among 18,519 beneficiaries. The government has planned to issue U-WIN (Unorganised Worker Identification Number) Cards to the unorganized sector workers with a view to recognise their work. In Gujarat 82 per cent workers belong to the unorganized sector. So far, around 7 lakh unorganized workers have been registered. Under the scheme, unorganized sector workers will get access to benefits of provident fund, employment injury benefits, housing, education schemes for children, skill upgradation for workers, old age homes, etc.

Swavlamban Abhiyan

Under Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Yuva Sahsik Yojna 12,653 youth were provided interest assistance against the target of 7,000 youth. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Young Entrepreneurship Scheme was put in place for interest subsidy on self-employment loans for ITI trainees. Certificates were provided to 50,443 physically handicapped persons.

Agriculture

In order to boost agricultural growth and to further improve it, government celebrated 2014-15 as krishi vikas varsh. The government is giving high priority to water conservation and water management activities in order to provide rain water to the arid areas of the state. ‘Krishi Mahotsav’ is being organized every year to make farmers aware of modern technologies and methods of scientific farming.

Gujarat is the major producer of cotton, groundnut and tobacco and provides inputs for important industries like textiles, oil and soap. Other important cash crops are paddy, wheat and bajra.

Electricity

Gujarat has become the first state in the country to come with a solar policy in 2009, with a view to give boost to the solar energy sector. Installed capacity of this project is about 400 MW. World’s first solar photovoltaic project set up in Mehsana district near Chandarsan village canal produce 16 lakh unit electricity.

Roads

Road network plays a crucial role in the development of the state. As a novel approach, the state government has involved private sector in the building of a sound road network. With a view to meet up the needs of increasing population, BRTS facility has been started in Ahmedabad for speedy commuting.

Ports

During the last decade, Gujarat has acquired a status of an important maritime state of the country. Nearly 80 per cent of the total traffic on the non-major ports and about 48 per cent of the total traffic on all the ports of the country is being recorded on the ports of Gujarat, which is a matter of pride for the state. There are 41 minor and intermediate and one major port-Kandla Port.

Festivals

Tarnetar fair is held at village Tarnetar of Surendranagar district in the honour of Lord Shiva. This fair is held every year in the month of Bhadrapada (August/ September). Madhavrai fair at Madhavpur near Porbandar is held on the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (March/April). Ambaji fair dedicated to Amba mother goddess is held in Banaskantha district. The biggest annual fair, Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is celebrated at Dwarka and Dakar with great enthusiasm. Navratri - world’s longest dance festival, Jagannath Rath Yatra famous chariot festival, Modhera Dance Festival-Utrardh Mhotsav in the backdrop of famous Sun Temple in north Gujarat, Rann Utsav -basking in moonlit nights in the vast stretches of Rann of Kutchh and other festivals are Makar-Sankranti, Dang Darbar, Shamlaji fair, and Bhavnath fair.

Tourist Centres

Religious spots like Dwarka, Somnath, Palitana, Pavagadh, Ambaji, Bhadreshwar, Shamlaji, Taronga and Girnar; Porbandar, birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, monuments of architectural and archaeological surprises like Patan, Siddhpur, Ghurali, Dabhoi; Vadnagar, Modhera, Lothal and Ahmedabad; beaches like Ahmadpur-Mandvi, Chorvad, Ubharat, and Tithal; the hill station Saputara lion sanctuary of Gir forest and wild ass sanctuary in small desert of Kachchh area are major tourist attractions in the state. Moreover Sabarmati Riverfront: Displays development level and tourism potential. Sursagar lake in Vadodara, centre of tourists’ attraction, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary-Home for migrant birds from across the globe.