Narendra Modi’s poll slogan harps on Gujarat pride

Jalandhar: The Gujarat government has ordered cricket kits and volleyballs with photos and messages of Vivekananda as part of its assembly election plans. Meerut companies have outsourced the stitching of these volleyballs to Jalandhar-based firms, which have finished the work and despatched the boxes. Apart from the face of India’s most popular spiritual leader, a Gujarat government logo, ‘ Swami Vivekananda Janma Jayanti, Gujarat’ , is embossed on the volleyballs.

Harping on Gujarati pride, Modi has also got some slogans embossed, exhorting youth to play and win. “Gujarat will play, Gujarat will win,” says Modi's printed message. The volleyballs also sport one of the most popular quotes from Vivekananda: “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” . The cricket kits will have two bats, six balls, six stumps and four bails.

“The Meerut companies had to outsource the stitching as order specification was for PU (polyurethane) balls and Meerut doesn't have the capacity to sew the balls of this material in such short time,” said Sushil Rinku, a local councillor and president of Football Stitchers’ Association, Jalandhar .

According to sources, the Gujarat government wanted delivery of the items before Dussehra (October 24) so that the kits and volleyballs could be distributed before the election code of conduct comes into force. Gujarat elections are likely to be held by December.

(With inputs from Ajay Umat in Ahmedabad)