319 Individuals Granted Indian Citizenship in Rajkot Ceremony
A ceremony in Rajkot saw 319 individuals receive Indian citizenship, marking a new beginning for families fleeing persecution.
Rajkot, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : A heartfelt ceremony in Rajkot recently celebrated the granting of Indian citizenship to 319 individuals. Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, welcomed attendees with the words, “Smile, today you are all citizens of India.” Many in the audience were moved to tears, reflecting the significance of the event.
Hosted at the prominent Swami Auditorium, this ceremony was organized by the Rajkot district administration. It recognized families who had fled persecution in Pakistan, comprising 259 individuals from Rajkot district, 53 from Morbi, six from Kutch, and one from Surendranagar.
Sanghavi likened the day to Diwali for these families, stating, “Today is a festival of lights for the 319 families who are now Indian citizens. Your homes will now be lit with Diwali lamps.” He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive actions and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for making this possible.
Reflecting on the hardships faced by these families, Sanghavi noted that many had endured years of oppression in Pakistan. He shared stories of women in regions like Tharparkar who could not step outside their homes. “For the sisters who have come from Pakistan, today is a day of freedom. They can now live peacefully here,” he said.
Sanghavi humorously remarked that the price of garba near Rajkot is now higher than a Pakistani passport. He also praised the local police for their swift action in apprehending suspects involved in robbery and murder, ensuring the safety of residents during the Navratri and garba festivities.
Member of Parliament Purushottam Rupala emphasized that the CAA has brought hope to refugees. He clarified that the law is not intended to strip anyone of their citizenship but to humanely resettle those who left their homeland years ago. Rupala congratulated Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their roles in this initiative.
Census Director Sujal Mayatra revealed that over 1,500 individuals in Gujarat have received citizenship under the CAA thus far. The day of Navratri brought new hope and identity for more than 300 individuals.
During the event, a young girl expressed her gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister for ensuring safety for her daughters, applying a tilak on his hand and tying a rakhi.
