Modi mentioned that he came across reports of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack during an exhibition at the summit. “There was a time when people felt unsafe in their own homes and cities because of terrorism supported by neighboring nations. However, the situation has changed, and now terrorists feel insecure in their own territories,” he stated.
The Prime Minister expressed that at the exhibition, he viewed old news articles regarding Kashmir’s merger with India and felt the same excitement as the citizens did in October 1947. “In that moment, I understood how indecision had kept Kashmir trapped in violence for seventy years,” he remarked. Modi observed that it’s encouraging to see reports of record voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir’s elections in the media these days.
Referring to his attendance at the first Bodoland Mohotsov on Friday, Modi highlighted the significant achievement of the youth and the community moving away from violence after fifty years to celebrate a cultural event in Delhi. He added that the lives of the people improved significantly following the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord.
Criticizing previous Governments for implementing schemes aimed at appeasing their voter base, Modi emphasized that his Government’s focus was far removed from vote bank politics, concentrating instead on the mantra of progress for the people, by the people, and with the people. He stated that the greatest damage from the vote bank politics practiced by prior Governments was the increasing imbalance and inequality in the country.
He asserted that his administration had restored the public’s trust in the Government. Reminiscing about the 90s when India saw five elections in a decade, Modi remarked on the instability during that period. “Experts and commentators had predicted that India would continue in this state indefinitely. However, the citizens of India have once again defied such expectations,” he stated.
Pointing out the current global uncertainty and shifting governments in numerous countries with every election, Modi noted that amidst this backdrop, the people of India have chosen his Government for a third term. “Previously, we often encountered the saying ‘good economics is bad politics’. Individuals referred to as experts frequently promoted this notion. Past administrations used it as an excuse for inaction. In essence, it became a means to mask poor governance and inefficiencies,” Modi explained.
The earlier Government primarily focused on winning the next election, creating a vote bank to secure votes with policies designed to cater to that voter base, he said, criticizing the past Congress-led Governments. “The most significant damage caused by this political approach was the exacerbation of inequality in the nation.
Development boards were established but remained ineffective. This unbalanced scenario shattered the public’s confidence in the Government. Today, we have reinstated that trust,” Modi stated. “We have determined the Government’s purpose. This goal is vastly removed from vote bank politics. Our Government’s aim is extensive and comprehensive. We are proceeding with the principle of progress for the people, by the people, and with the people,” he claimed. Modi concluded by stating that his government aims to construct a new India, striving to develop the nation.
“And with this ambitious objective, the people of India have also placed their trust in us. In today’s era of social media and rampant misinformation, you can envision the confidence citizens of India have in us and our Government,” he stated. Modi remarked that his administration has offered a distinctive blend of job creation through investment and dignity through development.
“The philosophy of our government is to invest heavily for the people and save substantially for the people,” he emphasized, asserting that this century would belong to India.
Modi also unveiled a commemorative postage stamp marking 100 years of Hindustan Times and toured an exhibition of HT at the location.
The Prime Minister mentioned that he came across old newspapers from the time of India’s independence and reflected on the remarkable journey of the freedom struggle and the hopeful progress made post-independence.
He expressed that he shared the same enthusiasm to read about the integration of Kashmir with India, like every other citizen in October 1947. Yet, he acknowledged that he also realized how indecisiveness had left Kashmir entangled in violence for seven decades.
However, he noted it was encouraging that today’s papers report record voter turnout in the elections in J&K.
The Prime Minister said he found another particular newspaper issue special, where one side featured news of Assam being classified as a disturbed area, while the other side announced Atal Bihari Vajpayee laying the groundwork for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He remarked that it was a delightful coincidence that the BJP is currently playing a significant role in achieving lasting peace in Assam. Stressing the importance of taking risks, Modi said our forebears took risks that helped elevate Indian products and services globally, making India a center of commerce and culture.
However, he noted that this risk-taking culture had diminished in the post-independence era under previous administrations.
Modi asserted that India has experienced development and transformation over the past 10 years since his government took office, revitalizing the risk-taking spirit among Indian citizens.
“Our youth are discovering opportunities and embracing risks across various domains, as evidenced by the registration of over 1.25 lakh startups in India,” he remarked.
“Today, Indian society is brimming with unprecedented ambitions, and we have shaped our policies around these aspirations,” Modi stated.
The Prime Minister highlighted that his Government prioritized providing gas connections to every household, whereas earlier administrations were engaged in debates about the number of cylinders to distribute.
He noted that there are over 30 crore gas connections in the nation now compared to 14 crore in 2014.
Modi further pointed out that supporting infrastructure has been developed to accommodate the demand for gas cylinders.
He also cited other examples such as mobile phones, Rupay cards, UPI, etc., which stem from the investment to employment, development to dignity framework of progress. Clarifying the government’s “spend big for the people and save big for the people” approach, the Prime Minister indicated that today’s Union Budget stands at Rs 48 lakh crore, up from Rs 16 lakh crore in 2014.
Modi stated that current capital expenditure exceeds Rs 11 lakh crore compared to Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2013-14.
He added that this capital expenditure is allocated for new hospitals, schools, roads, railways, research facilities, and various other public infrastructure projects.
