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Gujarat CM joins 'Shramdaan' at PM Modis birthplace, plants trees under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam

Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday joined a cleanliness drive at the Vadnagar Bus Port, participating in Shramdaan and planting trees as part of statewide programmes marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years in public service. Patel took part in the cleanliness activity at the bus port in Vadnagar, PM Modis birthplace, under the Swachhata Hi Seva initiative. He also planted trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, combining the cleanliness drive with a message of environmental conservation. The programme was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu programmes being held across Gujarat to mark PM Modis birthday and commemorate his 25-year journey in public service. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Gujarat Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, local public representatives, government officials and a large number of citizens joined the Chief Minister during the Shramdaan at the Vadnagar Bus Port. The participants also extended their wishes for PM Modis good health and well-being on his birthday. The programme formed part of a series of events in the town on Thursday, with senior BJP leaders and the state government organising public-service and cleanliness activities to mark the occasion. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar and offered prayers for Modis long life and well-being. The leaders later undertook a padayatra from Sharmishtha Lake to the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, where they offered prayers for the progress of the state and country. A bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was also flagged off from the Hatkeshwar Temple by Shah, Patel and other dignitaries. Around 250 bikers are taking part in the rally, carrying the message of public service and nation-building along the route. The bikers are also carrying water collected from Sharmishtha Ghat in Vadnagar, which is to be taken to Varanasi for Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The initiative is intended to symbolise the connection between the two historic cities associated with PM Modi. HM Shah subsequently participated in a cleanliness drive at Vadnagar Railway Station, where trees were also planted under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. The statewide programmes, being held under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu, include activities focused on public service, cleanliness and community participation.