"Rs. 2,500 Crore of Grant Distributed Under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhya Mantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana To 175 Local Self Governing Bodies"
"Four Projects To Kick Off Under Mukhya Mantri Gruh Yojana In Urban Areas "
"Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi Concludes Sarvangi Shaheri Vikas Karyshibir at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar "
"Urban Poor Women to Form 1 Lakh Self Help Groups- Sakhi Mandals under Mission Mangalam Yojana "
"In coming five years, state government plans to spend Rs 75,000 crore for urban development works "
"Thoughtful empowerment of local self governing bodies of different municipalities and municipal corporations "
"Major thrust on development of skilled manpower, money resources, machineries and mobility by this government"
"Use active leadership to develop avenues of different services for successful and lively urban development "
Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi today while distributing monetary resources worth Rs 2,500 crore for Gujarat’s municipalities and municipal corporations said in entire country Gujarat has laid out a well-thought out empowerment plan in place to develop its local self governing bodies.
Announcing the provisions made for Rs 75,000 crore to be spent on urban development in coming five years, chief minister Mr. Modi said, “Gujarat has taken an initiative to have major thrust on manpower, money resources, machinery and mobility.”
Chief Minister Mr. Modi was speaking at the workshop organized by Department of Urban Development at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Over 750 participants representing Gujarat’s eight municipal corporations, eight urban development authorities and 159 municipalities and other local self governing bodies including MLAs, MPs took part in workshop which was spanned over six sessions.
During the workshop Minister of Urban Development, Anandiben Patel shared details on innovative steps taken and achievements gained by state in having a holistic urban development all across the state. State level ministers too took part in the workshop.
During the closing session of workshop chief minister Mr. Modi gave away grants worth Rs 15,000 crore to the local self governing bodies for the second phase of Swarnim Jayanti Mukhya Mantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana.
Mr. Modi said, “Our main purpose is to have a development where Gujarat take a lead for urban development translating into better facilities and overall welfare of the people especially the poor and thus bring marked improvement in standard of life for them.” Mr. Modi said Gujarat perceives urbanization as an opportunity to empower urban development and not a crisis.
Mr. Modi gave details on how the well thought urban development plan was put in place to address neglected areas of urban development during year 2005, which Gujarat celebrated as Shaheri Vikas Varsh.
Mr. Modi said, “Health services for the urban poor was neglected across the country and it was Gujarat’s initiative to set up services network for the urban poor’s health that the Central Government emulated and later on launched Urban Health Mission.”
Gujarat has urban population of 42.18% and it will be around 50% if populations of surrounding different urban centres are added. In 2001, Gujarat has budget of Rs 127 crore and today it has crossed Rs 6,000 crore. This is excluding the local budgets of the municipal corporations. Mr. Modi, “It needs to be understood how seriously we are focusing on the urban development.”
Chief MinisterMr. Modi said, “Local governing bodies has brought valuable changes in their functioning creating a synergy between technology and their available talents. It has offered an inspiration message to all. By going online in their activities like tax collection and other tendering process, it has brought in transparency too.”
Mr. Modi said, “It is also duty of elected representatives of these bodies to see that urban development is done in right manner. They can inspire citizens at large to love their cities and set an example.”
Mr. Modi said he called on the representatives to take on challenges posed by malnutrition in urban poor mothers and children, sanitation facilities especially in slums and give importance to have playgrounds for the youth.
Taking about the grants, Mr. Modi said it remains to be seen that development works in urban areas bring satisfaction and overall welfare to the people at large and not by just spending the budget amount in stipulated period till March end.
Talking about Urban Affordable Housing Project, the Chief Minster said, “It is our duty to see that those lower income group urban residents get the benefit of 22 lakh houses for which work has already begun.”
Mr. Modi said, “CCTV camera can be put to good use in monitoring the cleaning activities of the city. Surat has taken a lead in this. Polluted cities like Ahmedabad and Surat have set an example becoming clean and environment friendly cities.”
Mr. Modi also said requested to have such workshops at zonal and district level to have continuous dialogue and exchange of ideas on urban development.
On this occasion, Minister of Urban Development Anandiben Patel, Minister of state for Law, Judiciary and Legislative Pradipsinh Jadeja, Minister of state for Education, Women and Children’s Welfare Vasuben Trivedi, city mayors of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and other municipal corporations, MLAs, MPs and members and officials of different Urban Development Authority in the state were present in the valedictory session.
Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
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The Indian diaspora in Guyana has made an impact across many sectors and contributed to Guyana’s development: PM
You can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian: PM
Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply,Culture, cuisine and cricket: PM
India's journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability: PM
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive: PM
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots,They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values: PM
Your Excellency President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President Donald Ramotar, Members of the Guyanese Cabinet, Members of the Indo-Guyanese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
Seetaram !
I am delighted to be with all of you today.First of all, I want to thank President Irfan Ali for joining us.I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival.I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me.
I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that, over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother, we also planted a tree. It is part of our initiative, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", that is, "a tree for mother”. It was an emotional moment that I will always remember.
Friends,
I was deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of Excellence’, the highest national award of Guyana. I thank the people of Guyana for this gesture. This is an honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3 lakh strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.
Friends,
I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
Friends,
Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy. You have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies. From humble beginnings you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: "It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.”He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
President Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals, Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets, Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet, Many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
Friends,
Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply. Culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa.
This year, the Diwali was special as Ram Lalla returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong.
I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
Friends,
Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them. The food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that Dhal Puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.
Friends,
The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship.
Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year.
Your cheers for the ‘Team in Blue’ at their match in Guyana could be heard even back home in India!
Friends,
This morning, I had the honour of addressing the Guyanese Parliament. Coming from the Mother of Democracy, I felt the spiritual connect with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean region. We have a shared history that binds us together. Common struggle against colonial rule, love for democratic values, And, respect for diversity.
We have a shared future that we want to create. Aspirations for growth and development, Commitment towards economy and ecology, And, belief in a just and inclusive world order.
Friends,
I know the people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India. India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability.
In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.
We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world.
Friends,
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive. Our digital public infrastructure is empowering the poor. We opened over 500 million bank accounts for the people. We connected these bank accounts with digital identity and mobiles. Due to this, people receive assistance directly in their bank accounts. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest free health insurance scheme. It is benefiting over 500 million people.
We have built over 30 million homes for those in need. In just one decade, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Even among the poor, our initiatives have benefited women the most. Millions of women are becoming grassroots entrepreneurs, generating jobs and opportunities.
Friends,
While all this massive growth was happening, we also focused on sustainability. In just a decade, our solar energy capacity grew 30-fold ! Can you imagine ?We have moved towards green mobility, with 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.
At the international level too, we have played a central role in many initiatives to combat climate change. The International Solar Alliance, The Global Biofuels Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Many of these initiatives have a special focus on empowering the Global South.
We have also championed the International Big Cat Alliance. Guyana, with its majestic Jaguars, also stands to benefit from this.
Friends,
Last year, we had hosted President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. We also received Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in India. Together, we have worked to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas.
Today, we have agreed to widen the scope of our collaboration -from energy to enterprise,Ayurveda to agriculture, infrastructure to innovation, healthcare to human resources, anddata to development. Our partnership also holds significant value for the wider region. The second India-CARICOM summit held yesterday is testament to the same.
As members of the United Nations, we both believe in reformed multilateralism. As developing countries, we understand the power of the Global South. We seek strategic autonomy and support inclusive development. We prioritize sustainable development and climate justice. And, we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address global crises.
Friends,
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An Ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.
You, the Indo-Guyanese community, are doubly blessed. You have Guyana as your motherland and Bharat Mata as your ancestral land. Today, when India is a land of opportunities, each one of you can play a bigger role in connecting our two countries.
Friends,
Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz has been launched. I call upon you to participate. Also encourage your friends from Guyana. It will be a good opportunity to understand India, its values, culture and diversity.
Friends,
Next year, from 13 January to 26 February, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite.
It is for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be held in Bhubaneshwar in January. If you come, you can also take the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Now with so many events and invitations, I hope to see many of you in India soon. Once again, thank you all for the love and affection you have shown me.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And special thanks to my friend Ali. Thanks a lot.
