DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who turned 51 on Saturday, visited her native Nandgarh village in Jind district and celebrated her birthday in the presence of her Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini. "Today is a special day for me. I felt that I should come here and pay my respects to my birthplace. Nayab Singh Saini and my entire Haryana family gave me so much love and blessings. Today, there are many events for the inauguration of projects here. I thank the Haryana government and my elder brother Nayab Saini for doing such a great work and everything done for our village," she said.

Gupta, who visited Julana in Jind district for the first time after becoming the chief minister of Delhi, inaugurated the Maharaja Agrasen Dharamshala along with Saini.

Saini announced a series of development projects worth several crores for the residents of Julana Assembly constituency on this occasion.

He announced the construction of a sub-divisional complex in Julana at a cost of Rs 30 crore.

In addition, Rs 15.71 crore was announced for nine projects related to the reconstruction of minors in various villages across the constituency.

Saini also declared Rs 25 crore for 12 projects pertaining to drinking water and water supply schemes.

These announcements were made by the Haryana chief minister during a programme held at Nandgarh village in Julana Assembly constituency. Gupta was also present on the occasion.

Addressing a gathering in Julana, Gupta recalled her early days. She said that her mother was quite upset with her when she was contesting the Delhi University elections in 1994-95, but her father and uncle were supportive of the decision.

"My mother would ask, who will marry you? But after scolding, she would ask me to have my meal. She would also iron my clothes," she remembered.

"I fought two university elections, three 'nagar nigam' polls and three assembly elections. I fought a total of eight elections. I am happy to state that I got immense support from my family and the society," said Gupta.

"Whenever I fought the elections in Delhi, each person from Haryana supported me and from this stage, I thank everyone," she added.

The Delhi chief minister said it is only in the BJP that an ordinary person can get an opportunity to move ahead.

Gupta said it is due to the policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership that individuals from simple backgrounds are today holding top positions in Delhi and Haryana and placing the highest priority on public service.

"It is a matter of pride that a person from an ordinary family, Nayab Singh Saini, and a daughter from an ordinary family (referring to herself), who have no political background, are playing a role in taking every decision by sitting at the top post of the state," she added and thanked Prime Minister Modi.

Gupta also hit out at former prime minister Indira Gandhi and said that "she never allowed anyone except herself to move forward".

"Today, an ordinary person can see big dreams, move ahead, can work and he or she is given a chance and guidance by the BJP leadership," she added.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Gupta said Delhi is her 'karambhoomi' and Haryana is her 'janambhoomi'.

Gupta also expressed her gratitude to Saini for dedicating the Agrasen Dharamshala to the people of Julana.

Earlier, Saini said that Haryana's daughter, Rekha Gupta, visited her native village, Nandgarh, for the first time after assuming office as the chief minister of Delhi, coinciding with her birthday.

He extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to her on behalf of the people of Haryana.

Praising the Delhi chief minister, Saini said she belongs to a simple background and has committed herself to public service guided by the ideals of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. Her entire life has been devoted to the service of the nation and she has continuously worked for its progress, he added.

Saini said that Gupta's vision, policies and dedication are focused on taking Delhi to new heights of development.

He assured the governments of Haryana and Delhi will work together with full strength and commitment towards achieving the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat'. Saini further said India is progressing rapidly towards becoming a developed nation under Prime Minister Modi's visionary leadership guided by the principle of Antyodaya espoused by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.

India has since 2014 achieved a remarkable milestone in development, said the chief minister, adding Haryana is committed to playing a leading role in realising the prime minister's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' and will move forward in close coordination with the Central government.

Saini inaugurated the Agrasen Dharamshala and performed the Bhoomi Pujan for Nandi and Kamdhenu Gaushala.

He also announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh for the dharamshala. The Delhi chief minister attended the event as a special guest.

On this occasion, Saini further announced Rs 31 lakh for the construction of a veterinary hospital in Barahkalan village, Rs 60 lakh for setting up Anganwadi centres in four villages -- Shadipur, Ramgarh, Karmagarh and Roopgarh -- and Rs 67.90 lakh for the construction of an Ayurvedic hospital in Malvi village.

In addition, Rs 1.25 crore was allocated for laying a drinking water pipeline in Barahkalan.

The chief minister also announced Rs 1.50 crore for the construction of a pond retaining wall at Teerth site in Ramrai Kalan.

Sub-health centres will be established at a cost of Rs 2.20 crore in four villages -- Bararkheda, Nandgarh, Anupgarh and Barahkalan -- of the Julana Assembly constituency subject to the availability of land.

(editor@dailyworld.in)