Surat (Guj): In an attempt to woo people of Bihar origin settled in the state, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the image of Bihar has to be "restored" and its glory "re-established".
"Image of Bihar has taken a beating inspite of that state's contribution for development of the country," Modi told a gathering of migrant workers in Surat at a function, organised by the people of Bihar origin, to mark the centenary celebrations of their settlement in Gujarat.
Bihar is a state which has given many saints like Gautam Buddha, Mahavir, Ashoka the Great, to the country ,and from where a large number of IPS officers are coming now, Modi said.
"Now it is required to change its (Bihar's) image and re-establish the glory (of Bihar)," Modi said.
Bihar Health Minister Ashwin Chaubey, who was present at the function, said that people from his state were accepted in Gujarat and allowed to grow here but "some states opposed them".
"Gujarat has given us the strength to take our state to a new level of development," he said.
Interestingly, 'Bihar Samaj of Surat', which organised the function did not extend invitation to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Meanwhile, Modi kicked off a Krishi Mahotsav in Junagadh district.
Taking a dig at the Centre, the chief minister said Gujarat has maintained an agricultural growth rate of 11 per cent whereas the national agricultural growth rate is hovering around 2.5 to 3 per cent.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, May 06, 2012, 23:46