Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a short visit to his home state of Gujarat today. During the visit, the Prime Minister is inaugurating the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram, the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth. The Prime Minister is also launching the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial.
Speaking at the event the PM said, “This ashram of Bapu was spread across 120 acre and over the time it continued to squiz and eventually it just remained in 5 acres. There was a time, when there were 63 constructions here, out of which only 36 are left now. And visitors are able to visit only 3 among them. It’s our responsibility to keep the ashram intact, the ashram that created history, the ashram that played such a big role in freedom struggle,the ashram that is visited by people from across the world to know about it, to experience it. The families that lived here have major role in making this expansion possible. Due to their cooperation, 55 acre land of Ashram has been regained. Those who played positive role in it deserve admirations. Our attempt is to protect all houses in their original condition. Conventional building style has to be conserved. In coming time, this punah nirmal will be a new attraction for those from the country and abroad. Thousands of visitors would come here.”
The Prime Minister urged Gujarat government to launch a school competition to prepare guides for Gandhi Ashram. He urged that such competition shold reach every shool, so that each child would know about Sabarmati Ashram and its activities, its history. He said daily at least 1,000 children should spend one hour at Sabarmati Ashram.