Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who was on a one-day visit to Surat on Sunday, described the city as a “mini Bharat” (India) built by migrant laborers settling here.
Talking to the media, Birla said, “Lakhs of laborers living here have made a mini India here.”
“People from different cultures come here for jobs and business. Here they get good environment, good salary and everyone considers this city as their own. Everyone progresses financially here. The employment opportunities available here have led to socio-economic development.”
According to a press release, he was given a “citizen welcome” during his visit.
The Speaker’s visit comes a day ahead of the three-day Smart City, Smart Urbanization Conference to be organized here by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in which several Union ministers are expected to participate.