In a show of support for public transport and digital transactions, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat chose to travel by a State Road Transport Corporation (ST) bus from Adajan bus stand in Surat to Jinod village in Olpad taluka on a hot Saturday. The Governor, foregoing special arrangements, boarded a regular ST bus and paid for his ticket digitally to promote cashless payments. Despite the scorching temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, he engaged with fellow passengers throughout the journey, discussing their experiences with public transportation.
Passengers were pleasantly surprised to share the bus ride with the state’s Governor, who actively interacted with them without any VIP treatment. This isn’t the first instance of Governor Devvrat opting for state-run buses, aligning with his approach of connecting with the public in everyday scenarios. Known for his weekly “Gram Kalyan” programs in various talukas of Gujarat, he participates in village activities like tree plantation drives under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and village cleanliness initiatives, often spending nights in government school classrooms.
As part of his engagement, the Governor visits households from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, sharing meals and discussing topics like education, health, de-addiction, and environmental conservation with villagers. Early mornings involve yoga sessions with schoolchildren and farm visits to promote natural farming practices. He also offers agricultural guidance, milks cattle, and conducts discussions with farmers on natural farming techniques during the program’s conclusion.
