Gandhinagar, the state capital of Gujarat, paid a grand tribute to its former Member of Parliament, the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth anniversary. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel unveiled a majestic 12-foot tall bronze statue of the beloved leader at the Ch-3 circle, which has now been christened 'Atal Circle'.
A Lasting Tribute to a Poet-Prime Minister
The unveiling ceremony on Thursday marked a significant moment for the city that Vajpayee once represented in the Lok Sabha. He won the general elections from the Gandhinagar constituency in 1996 and served as its MP until 1998. The statue is a creation of the recently deceased, renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar, whose works include several national monuments.
The project encompasses more than just the statue. The entire circle has been landscaped, and large billboards featuring famous lines written by the poet-PM have been installed within the secretariat complex. This beautification drive was executed under the special grant for public amenities and development works allocated to the Mayor in the 2024-25 budget of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation.
Mayor Miraben Patel expressed that the newly developed 'Atal Circle' will significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of Gandhinagar city, creating a space for reflection and inspiration for citizens and visitors alike.
Ahmedabad Schools Renamed After Ancient Sages
In a separate development aimed at connecting education with cultural heritage, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) School Board has renamed five of its schools in the Nava Vadaj area. The initiative, taken during the board's centenary year celebrations, honors great sages from Indian tradition.
The renamed schools are:
- Nava Vadaj Municipal School No. 1 → Sati Anasuya Municipal Primary School
- Nava Vadaj Municipal School No. 3/4 → Atri Rishi Municipal Primary School
- Gandhinagar Municipal School No. 2 → Gautam Rishi Municipal Primary School
- Nava Vadaj Municipal School No. 9/10 → Vashishtha Rishi Municipal Primary School
- Nirnaynagar Municipal Primary School → Jamadagni Rishi Municipal Primary School
This area falls within the Naranpura Assembly constituency, a seat previously held by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. School board chairman Sujay Mehta stated that the move, suggested by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, aims to make children aware of India's historical and cultural heritage while instilling patriotism and values. He added that more schools may be named after great personalities, patriots, and martyrs in the future.
Superstition Surrounds Surendranagar Collector's Office
A curious and uneasy atmosphere has developed around the collector's office in Surendranagar district. With two of its former collectors coming under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering in the past four years, the post is now viewed as 'ominous' by some in bureaucratic circles.
The most recent case involves 2015-batch IAS officer Rajendra Patel, who was posted as Surendranagar Collector in February 2025 and was removed this week by the General Administration Department (GAD), leaving him without a posting. Before him, 2011-batch IAS officer K Rajesh, who was the collector in 2021, has been under suspension since July 2022 and faces charges by the ED in a money laundering case. He was arrested by the CBI while serving as joint secretary in the GAD.
This unusual streak of legal troubles has led to whispers in administrative corridors about the need to perform a 'hawan' or 'puja' to cleanse the office of any perceived negative energy, as bureaucrats reportedly grow apprehensive about accepting the position.
