Gandhinagar, September 21 (IANS) Divisional-Barkarji has emerged as a major vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a major vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a game changer for the rural economy of Gujarat.
Once a group of agricultural villages, the region is today a rich automobile hub that is hosting global veterans like Maruti Suzuki and Honda.
The Gujarat government said on Sunday, “Beyond industrial development, MBSIR has promoted local employment and small businesses, reduced migration and improve the standard of living.”
A few years ago, in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, Pradhuman Singh Jhola of Bekharji earned Rs 30,000 per month while working. Today, thanks to MBSIR unlock opportunities, he runs a rich dealership network for JK Tires, Bridhstone, Yokohama and Exide, which has an annual turnover of Rs 3.5 crore.
“We had land, but it was industrial development – roads, facilities, infrastructure – which allowed us to start. MBSIR not just changed my life, changed the whole village,” says Jhala.
For small entrepreneurs, also, change is clear.
Sureshbhai Bajania, who runs a tea stall in Chandanki village of Mehsana district, saw his daily earnings jumping from Rs 1,000-1,200 to Rs 4,000-5,000, as workers flow and better connectivity brought more customers.
“With high income, now we can teach better for our children,” they say.
Residents say that migration for jobs, once routine, is almost closed.
Amarsingh Thakor, a farmer-handler of Sitapur village, said, “Earlier, people had to leave in search of work. Today, companies here hire both local skilled and unskilled workers.”
Spillover has been widespread – grocery stores, dairies, clothes shops and construction businesses have seen all expansion.
Social effects also appear.
Under corporate social responsibility, companies have funded smart classes, libraries, furniture and uniforms for village schools.
“Children can now use quality CBSE education without leaving their villages,” says local school principal Dineshbhai Prajapati.
Anganwadi worker Gopiben Prajapati said that the increase in income has translated better healthcare, hygiene and roads.
Baranji, once known as a pilgrimage city, is now a center of opportunity, former sarpanch Devangbhai Pandya says: “MBSIR has converted it into a center where large industries and small businesses grow together.”
Recognizing its role in re -starting the industrial and rural landscape of Gujarat, the state government has announced that the MBSIR will present in a special session in the upcoming vibrant Gujarat regional conferences (VGRC).
The first such conference is scheduled for 9 to 10 October in Mehsana, focusing on investment related to the success of the session and the possibilities of employment.
,
Janvi/KHz