Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched the ‘Harit Ghar – Swasth Samaj’ (Green Home – Healthy Society) campaign in Ahmedabad, under which 76,000 kitchen garden saplings will be distributed and planted. The initiative, organised by Vishwa Gujarati Samaj, aims to encourage households to grow vegetables at home while promoting environmental awareness and healthier lifestyles.
The campaign was launched on September 16, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. The large-scale sapling distribution drive also received a World Record certificate from the Golden Book of Records.
Promoting Green Practices Through Home Gardens
Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that growing vegetables at home can help people connect everyday life with environmental protection and sustainable development.
The initiative seeks to take environmental awareness beyond public campaigns by encouraging citizens to participate directly through kitchen gardens. The idea is to make homes a starting point for greener and healthier practices.
The campaign is being organised by Vishwa Gujarati Samaj, with the initiative focused on encouraging people to grow vegetables at their homes. Reports on the programme said saplings of vegetables such as tomatoes, brinjal, chillies, bottle gourd, ridge gourd and cucumber are part of the distribution drive.
People receiving the saplings are also being provided guidance on cultivation and maintenance, helping them understand how to grow and care for the plants.
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Environment and Development in Focus
At the event, Patel linked the kitchen garden initiative with the broader importance of environmental conservation alongside economic and infrastructure development.
He referred to initiatives such as Mission LiFE, Catch the Rain, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and natural farming, saying such efforts have encouraged greater public participation in environmental protection.
The Chief Minister described the ‘Harit Ghar – Swasth Samaj’ campaign as an effort in the same direction. The focus on household-level vegetable cultivation also gives citizens an opportunity to engage with issues such as food cultivation, sustainability and responsible use of natural resources.
The campaign comes at a time when kitchen and terrace gardening are increasingly being promoted as ways to make urban households more connected with food production and greenery.
35 Startups Showcase Environmental Solutions
The programme also highlighted Gujarat’s growing ecosystem of startups working in environmental protection.
Around 35 startups participated in an exhibition showcasing products and services related to environmental protection, organic farming and sustainable practices. The displays included solutions and products linked to areas such as organic agriculture, technology and the ‘waste-to-best’ approach.
Patel visited the stalls and interacted with young entrepreneurs working on environmental initiatives. The participation of startups added an innovation and entrepreneurship component to the campaign, connecting environmental awareness with new products and services.
Three Gujaratis — Rangdatt Joshi, Vijay Dobariya and Sohil Patel — were also felicitated during the event for their contributions in different fields.
CM Highlights Gujarat’s Development Journey
The event also provided an opportunity for Patel to highlight Gujarat’s economic and infrastructure development.
Speaking about Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Patel referred to the development of electricity, water, roads and infrastructure in the state. He also highlighted the development of GIFT City as a global financial hub and the launch of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit during Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister.
Patel further cited figures related to Gujarat’s industrial and business ecosystem. According to figures presented by him, the state had around 1.85 lakh small-scale industries in 2001, while it now has more than 27 lakh MSMEs. He also said that 100 of the world’s top 500 companies are operating in Gujarat.
These figures were presented by the Chief Minister while describing the state’s economic transformation and the role of infrastructure and investment in Gujarat’s development.
‘Seva Sankalp’ Campaign to Begin
The event also marked the beginning of preparations for a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp’ campaign, which is scheduled to begin on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
Patel called upon citizens to contribute towards the development of Gujarat as part of the broader goal of building a developed India. The campaign is among several activities being organised around the Prime Minister’s birthday in Gujarat.
The kitchen garden initiative adds an environmental and community-focused element to these activities. By encouraging households to grow vegetables themselves, the campaign seeks to connect public participation with everyday environmental practices.
The distribution of 76,000 saplings and the recognition from the Golden Book of Records have given the initiative a large public dimension. More importantly, its focus on household cultivation places environmental action at the community and family level, linking green practices with healthier and more sustainable living.
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