Ghaziabad: It was an occasion observed across the country by BJP to mark Narendra Modi’s uninterrupted 25 years in office — first as chief minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister. Ministers in the Modi cabinet and BJP functionaries were deputed across the city to spearhead Seva Jyoti Yatra with defence minister Rajnath Singh speaking at an event in the city.While Modi attended Seva Jyoti Yatra from Talkatora Stadium, the programme was streamed live across all districts. In an hour-long address, Modi extolled the good work of his govt. At Ghanta Ghar Ramlila ground, Rajnath addressed the gathering — mainly comprising school and college students — for about 15 minutes. He started from where Modi had left, a Viksit Bharat by 2047.Rajnath, in his speech, said, “No one can point an accusing finger at Modi for corruption. In his 25 years, he has not taken leave even for a single day.” In an apparent reference to protests at Jantar Mantar and at other places, Rajnath accused the opposition of misguiding people. “They are making issues out of non-issues and are misguiding people and youths. They are courting arrests and protesting on streets,” he said, adding, “This govt under Modi has done away with obsolete rules and regulations for students like getting their marksheet attested by a gazetted officer or MP or MLA is one such rule.”In an attempt to strike a chord with students, Rajnath said, “Many of you were not even born or must have been in cradle when Modi took over as CM of Gujarat and I as UP CM had attended his swearing-in ceremony. India’s economy would have been in the top three had the West crisis not taken place. Despite this, our economy is growing at 7.4%, which is nothing short of miracle.”The gathering, according to BJP functionaries, was attended by 5,000 people. The defence minister made it clear that he was going to keep his speech short with the heat at the venue becoming unbearable on a very warm day. Students who were at the venue for an hour and a half made a beeline for the gates to escape the scorching sun. At one point, Rajnath had to request them to wait for some time. District BJP president Mayank Goyal said, “There were minor issues. For a programme of this magnitude, on such an occasion, they don’t matter.”Vanshika Mishra, a second-year BCA student from Vidyavati Mukundlal Girls College, fell from a bench during the programme, injuring her leg as her classmates fell over her. She asked, “Is the organisers’ management limited to ministers? We were made to sit on iron benches. The organisers were busy keeping political functionaries happy, giving away bouquets, but what about us? They should have also made good arrangements for students.”Her friend standing close by said, “It was so hot that we sent five of our friends back home as they were feeling giddy. Thirty-seven students were called to attend the programme apart from other schools, which included Sushila Model School, Kanya Vedic School and others managed by the corporation.”
