Assam CM Explores Gujarats Swagat System and Visits Somnath Temple

Gandhinagar, August 28: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Gujarat on Thursday, where he observed the state’s ‘Swagat’ online grievance redressal system and offered prayers at the Somnath Temple. He expressed interest in Gujarat’s technology-driven approach to resolving citizens’ complaints.

In Gandhinagar, Sarma received detailed insights about the functioning of ‘Swagat’ from Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi. This system, initiated in 2003 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister, allows citizens to lodge complaints and track their resolutions online.

Patel and Sanghvi explained the three-tier system that operates at the village, taluka, and district levels. Reports indicate that over 90 percent of grievances received through ‘Swagat’ are resolved. Sarma showed keen interest in this system and was impressed by its technology-based methods for addressing public complaints.

Present during the discussions were Assam’s Finance Minister, Gandhinagar MLA Alpesh Thakor, Gujarat Chief Minister’s Additional Principal Secretary Dr. Vikrant Pandey, and officials Dheeraj Parekh and Rakesh Vyas.

Earlier in the day, Sarma visited Gir Somnath, where he landed at a helipad and prayed at the Somnath Temple, accompanied by his family. Reflecting on his visit, Sarma stated, “Today, I had the privilege of having divine darshan of Lord Somnath with my family.”

He described the Jyotirlinga as a symbol of faith and India’s ancient civilization, noting that its history is inspirational for the Sanatan community. He also prayed for the “peace and prosperity of Bharatvarsh.”

After his temple visit, Sarma remarked on the sacredness of the month of Sawan and expressed gratitude to those who facilitated his journey. He said, “The month of Sawan is very holy. I was fortunate to visit Somnath; the darshan was wonderful. I thank everyone for making this splendid journey possible.”

During his time in Gujarat, Sarma also discussed women’s rights and the Uniform Civil Code, criticizing the Congress party. He stated, “Congress is an anti-women party,” arguing that it is responsible for the delay in implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the country. He called for a boycott of the party by women, asserting that they have not received equal rights due to Congress’s actions.

Sarma dismissed generational labels like ‘Gen Z’ and ‘Gen Alpha’ in the Indian context, arguing that Indian society is built around relationships between sons, daughters, parents, and grandparents. He stated, “There is no such thing as ‘Gen Z’ or ‘Gen Alpha’ in our country.” He argued that these concepts originated in America and Europe and have no relevance to Indian culture.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for unity, urging people to work tirelessly for their families and advance the nation.