Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the nation on Makar Sankranti Lohri and Pongal while spending the day in Hanol village of Gujarat an occasion he described as deeply uplifting and inspiring.
In his Lohri greetings marking the harvest season Chouhan said these festivals reflect India’s agricultural soul gratitude to nature and the dignity of farmers whose labour sustains the country. He said Makar Sankranti Lohri and Pongal strengthen social harmony unity and shared prosperity while renewing hope for a productive and prosperous year ahead for rural India.
The greetings coincided with Chouhan’s visit to Hanol the home village of Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya where he participated in the Atmanirbhar Hanol Mahotsav and interacted closely with villagers through a Gram Sabha. The visit turned into a celebration of community driven development unity and cultural pride as the entire village came together to welcome the Union Minister.
Expressing heartfelt appreciation Chouhan said his mind was filled with joy and his spirit deeply moved after witnessing the collective strength of Hanol. He thanked Mandaviya and the village committee for the invitation and praised Hanol as an ideal village whose unity transcends caste religion and social divisions. He said such harmony is rare in present times and represents the true strength of India.
Chouhan lauded the village’s development achieved not through government funding alone but through collective effort and ownership. He highlighted the Amrit Sarovar built under the Prime Minister’s water conservation abhiyan the sports grounds community halls efficient water management sanitation initiatives and environmental consciousness. He noted with admiration that villagers invest their own resources to ensure trees planted around the Amrit Sarovar are protected and nurtured.
The Union Minister was particularly moved by the cultural vibrancy of the village. He observed homes decorated with traditional toran rangoli and festive arrangements made voluntarily by residents. He joined villagers in the Jawara Yatra a traditional procession led by women carrying sprouted grains planted on the first of the month symbolising prosperity and collective well being. He said the participation of women men elders youth and children together reflected the spirit of a truly united community.
Chouhan also praised Hanol’s unique democratic tradition where Panchayat representatives are chosen unanimously without contested elections reflecting the ancient Indian ideal of Panch Parmeshwar. He said even the cremation ground was developed with such care and dignity that it reflected the village’s respect for life values and community responsibility.
Calling Hanol a living example of a poverty free employment rich ideal village Chouhan said its model would be studied and replicated across the country. He remarked that while people often speak of Kaliyug Hanol felt like Satyug because of its values unity and positive spirit. He said the village offers deep inspiration and proves that with facilities and opportunity rural talent can perform miracles.
Chouhan highlighted the presence of self help groups world class sports facilities village Olympics and community halls facilities that are rare even in big cities. He said Hanol embodies India’s civilisational ethos and reminded him of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth and non violence and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of national unity. He also paid tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to build a developed and self reliant India.
Earlier Mansukh Mandaviya described the occasion as a reaffirmation of the Atmanirbhar Hanol resolve. He said the government’s farmer and village centric schemes are delivering direct benefits and highlighted the Jawara Yatra organised by women for collective prosperity. He noted that the Amrit Sarovar built with water from 28 rivers under the Prime Minister’s water conservation campaign has become a lifeline for the village and that a Maha Aarti was organised at the site as part of the festival.
Chouhan concluded by congratulating the people of Hanol saying he was returning with renewed faith that India’s villages hold the key to inclusive development social harmony and national progress.
