HM Shah in Gujarat today; review of CWG preps among key events

Ahmedabad, Aug 27 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will review preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the proposed 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad on Thursday as part of a packed one-day visit to Gujarat, with programmes spanning sports, education, pharmaceuticals, local development and public outreach.

HM Shah is scheduled to chair the review meeting at the Circuit House Annexe in the Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad.

The meeting comes as the city prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, while India has submitted a bid to host the 2036 Olympics with Ahmedabad at the centre of its proposal.

The Union minister has previously reviewed preparations for the two major sporting events.

In May, HM Shah held a meeting with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi and senior officials to assess progress of sports infrastructure and related projects in Ahmedabad.

The review assumes significance as Ahmedabad’s sports infrastructure is being expanded ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The Narendra Modi Stadium is located in Motera, while construction of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is underway.

The Union government has said India was awarded the rights to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games after an assessment of sports infrastructure, sporting participation and other facilities in more than 70 countries.

HM Shah had earlier said Ahmedabad would host the World Police and Fire Games in 2029 and that there was a strong possibility of the city being awarded the 2036 Olympic Games. However, the 2036 Olympics have not yet been awarded to Ahmedabad.

India has submitted its bid for the Games.

HM Shah’s Gujarat visit will begin in Amreli district, where he is scheduled to inaugurate the newly built ‘Het Ni Haveli’ lake at Panchganga Tirth in Dudhala. The lake has been constructed by the Harikrishna Foundation.

He will then travel to Ahmedabad for the sports review meeting before attending the 72nd convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith at Pranjivan Vidyarthi Bhavan on Ashram Road.

The convocation, organised by the institution founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, will see HM Shah attend as the chief guest. Governor of Gujarat and Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, Acharya Devvrat, is scheduled to deliver the convocation address.

A total of 900 students from 18 departments across seven faculties are to receive degrees. The graduating cohort comprises 184 undergraduate students, 400 postgraduates, 232 students in postgraduate programmes, 21 postgraduate diploma holders and 63 MPhil/PhD scholars.

Of the total, 441 are women, and 459 are men, while 559 graduates are expected to attend the ceremony. Twelve students are also scheduled to be honoured with Mandir and Dhwaj medals.

The university has said selection for the honours is based not only on academic achievement but on overall performance, including research and innovation, co-curricular activities, community service, NSS and NCC participation, internships, fieldwork, leadership, sports, ethical conduct and commitment to Gandhian values.

The Union Minister’s fourth engagement of the day will be the RV Patel Pharminnova Awards-2026, organised by Troikaa Pharmaceutical Ltd. The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Thaltej area.

HM Shah will conclude the day’s programmes with a ‘Lok Darbar’ in the Ghatlodia Assembly constituency at 6:15 p.m. The public interaction, covering the Ambli-Bopal-Ghuma area, will be held at BKM School on Bopal Panchayat Road in the Bopal area.

–IANS

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