New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stones for several projects of the Gujarat Government related to irrigation, health and water supply, Ministry of Ports, as well as Shipping and Waterways related to renovation of Deendayal Port, Kandla from GMERS, Gandhinagar, said President's Secretariat on Monday.

Addressing the occasion, the President said,  "People in Gujarat are used to taking risks and coming up with new ideas. The entrepreneurs of Gujarat have given Gujarat and India a unique look. In terms of progress, Gujarat is one of the most advanced states in the country."

She told me, "Gujarat has shown examples of both industrial progress and farming that is good for the environment. She said that even though only about 5% of the country's people live in Gujarat, it is responsible for about 20% of the country's total agricultural output. She said that Gujarat's successful efforts to improve agriculture are being used all over the country."

The President said that for a very long time, the geographical position of Gujarat, especially in parts of North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch, people have had a lot of trouble getting enough water for a long time. But things are completely different now.

Under the "Sardar Sarovar Project," a huge network of canals brings irrigation water to the people. This has changed a lot of people's lives. She was glad to hear that, according to NITI Aayog's "Composite Water Management Index," Gujarat has been the best at managing water in the whole country for the past three years.

The President said that Gujarat has done a lot of great things in the field of health care. She said that Gujarat is the first Indian state to give pregnant women health cards. She was also happy to hear that, as per a report from NITI Aayog that came out in 2020-21, Gujarat was the first state in the country to reach the Sustainable Development Goal of "Good Health and Well-Being."

The President said it is sure that the projects that were started today and had their cornerstones laid would give farmers and small business owners new jobs and business opportunities.

She was also sure that the needs of the Narmada district's tribal people would be met by the Super Speciality Hospital and Medical College, whose foundation stones were laid today.

After landing in Ahmedabad, the President went to Sabarmati Ashram, where she paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and spun the charkha.

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