Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Prays at Jain Temple, Then Honors Forest Martyrs on National Forest Martyrs’ Day

On a crisp Saturday in late September, Gujarat’s chief minister Bhupendra Patel found himself stepping into two very different worlds – first, the serene halls of a Jain temple in Ahmedabad, and later, the solemn grounds of a forest martyrs’ memorial in Gandhinagar.

Patel’s day began at the Devkinandan Jain Shwetambar Derasar in Navrangpura, where he joined a gathering of local dignitaries, including Mayor Hitesh Barot and MLAs Jitu Patel and Amit Thaker, to celebrate Mahavir Janma Vanchan. He lingered a while, admiring the intricate Aangi Shringar of Lord Mahavir, and, you know, said it felt like a personal fulfilment. After offering darshan to a few other deities, he exchanged warm greetings with the Jain community and the assembled devotees.

But the chief minister’s schedule didn’t end there. The very next day – which also happens to be National Forest Martyrs’ Day, observed every 11 September – Patel made his way to the Vanpal Memorial in Gandhinagar. Alongside Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, he placed a wreath of flowers on the memorial, paying homage to the brave souls who have laid down their lives protecting Gujarat’s forests and wildlife.

Since 1981, the state has lost about eleven forest personnel in the line of duty. Patel took a moment to recount their sacrifice, reminding everyone that their courage should inspire future generations to protect the environment.

In a poignant gesture, the chief minister met the grieving family of Vyara Range Forest Officer Vikasbhai Desai, who was killed while trying to stop illegal timber transport. He handed over a ₹50 lakh cheque from the Benevolent Fund to help the family cope with their loss. He also presented a ₹2 lakh cheque to Kalubhai Parmar, a forest worker who was injured in a human‑lion clash earlier this month.

Other notable attendees included MLA Rita Patel, city organisation president Ashish Dave, Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department RC Meena, and heads of forest departments from Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttarakhand. A two‑minute silence was observed, underscoring the solemnity of the occasion.

Patel’s dual visit – first seeking spiritual blessings, then honouring those who protect the state’s natural heritage – underlines a simple, if often overlooked, truth: leadership is as much about reverence for faith as it is about recognising the sacrifices made on the frontlines of conservation.