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Mr. Rahul Gandhi says they gave mobile phones but do the youth wants jobs or phones? Do women want to see prices fall or they want phones?

Published By : Admin | December 11, 2012 | 13:16 IST

Shri Modi addresses public meetings in Savarkundla, Dhrangadhra, Surendranagar and Dholka 

Shri Modi ends his public meetings in the seats that go to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2012 Gujarat Vidhan Sabha elections 

CM punctures lies spread by Mr. Rahul Gandhi while campaigning in Gujarat 

Mr. Rahul Gandhi said I am walking on Mahatma Gandhi ji’s path but if he is actually walking on Gandhi ji’s path then one wish of Mahatma Gandhi would not be left incomplete- which was to disband the Congress after Independence. 

Do the youth want jobs or mobile phones? Do the women want to see prices come down or they want mobile phones? In any case, if half the nation is under darkness under your rule, where will we charge these mobile phones? Asks Shri Modi 

Mr. Rahul Gandhi talks of respect for Vidhan Sabha but from May 2011 to May 2012 Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s attendance in the Lok Sabha was 24 out of 85 sittings. From 2010 to 2011 it was 19 out of 72 sittings: CM 

If Mr. Rahul Gandhi has so much respect for the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, he should tell the Gujarat Governor to pass bills that the democratically elected assembly has passed: Shri Modi 

CM appeals people to vote in large numbers, seeks great participation by women voters

On Tuesday 11th December 2012 Shri Narendra Modi addressed a large public meeting in Savarkundla (Amreli district), Dhrangadhra (Surendranagar district), Surendranagar city and Dholka (Ahmedabad). With this, Shri Modi ends his public meetings in all those areas that go to the polls during the first phase of the Gujarat elections on 13th December 2012. The Chief Minister spoke at length about the development initiative in the state over the last 11 years and pointed out that even while criticizing the Gujarat Government people talk about development but in case of the UPA all that is talked about is scams, loot, price rise etc.

In his unique style he punctured all the lies spread by Mr. Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned in Gujarat this morning. He pointed out that he addresses more public meetings in one day than what Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Rahul Gandhi have done during the entire campaign. Shri Modi said, “Today Mr. Rahul Gandhi came and said I have a close relation with Mahatma Gandhi. But you were not even born then!” Speaking about Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s anecdote on Mahatma Gandhi sleeping on the floor in Anand Bhawan, Shri Modi declared, “It was Mahatma Gandhi’s greatness and his affection towards Nehru that he slept on the floor but the real issue is Mr. Motilal Nehru sleeping on the bed when his son was in jail!”

Referring to Rahul Gandhi he added, “He said I am walking on Gandhi ji’s path but if he is actually walking on Gandhi ji’s path then one wish of Mahatma Gandhi would not be left incomplete- which was to disband the Congress after Independence.” Shri Modi urged the people of Gujarat to turn this dream of Mahatma Gandhi into reality in Gujarat.

Shri Modi exposed the lack of issues in the Congress campaign. Again referring to Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s comments on the Congress bringing mobile phones the Chief Minister asked, “Do the youth want jobs or mobile phones? Do the women want to see prices come down or they want mobile phones? In any case, if half the nation is under darkness under your rule, where will we charge these mobile phones?” Shri Modi said that instead of talking about what the Congress will do for the nation, they are stuck on mobile phones.

Delivering a sharp reply on the Congress General Secretary’s statement that the Vidhan Sabha does not meet for more than 25 days, Shri Modi shared that from May 2011 to May 2012 Shri Rahul Gandhi’s attendance in the Lok Sabha was 24 out of 85 sittings. From 2010 to 2011 it was 19 out of 72 sittings! “If you had respect, you would go for all sittings!” he commented. The Chief Minister stated that if Shri Rahul Gandhi has so much love for the Vidhan Sabha, he should know that in Gujarat the Assembly has debated issues even for days on end but the attitude of the Congress has not been positive. “We discuss issues for many days and bills are passed. But sadly Congress does not respect Vidhan Sabha also!” he commented. 

The public meetings were very well attended by people across al age groups and communities of society.

Shri Modi said that if Mr. Rahul Gandhi has so much respect for the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, he should tell the Gujarat Governor to pass bills that the democratically elected assembly has passed. Be it GUJCOC or a Bill to give equal seats for men and women in local bodies, these crucial bills are pending at the table of the Governor.

On Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s charge about RTI applications, Shri Modi said that the people should ask Mr. Rahul Gandhi about the pending applications in Delhi and pointed out that over 3 lakh RTI applications are pending in Delhi.

The Chief Minister posed a direct question to the Congress- what happened to the 1 crore jobs you promised in 2009? “You took the votes but has any youngster here got a job from Delhi? he questioned. Answering the Congress lie that there is unemployment in Gujarat he affirmed that the records of the Centre clearly state that if there is one state with least unemployment it is Gujarat. Also, the Government of India records show that out of all jobs created in India, 72% of them are created in Gujarat.

He talked at length about the disastrous anti-farmer policies of the UPA, which enforced the cotton export ban caused a loss of Rs. 7000 crore to the farmers of Gujarat. Shri Modi affirmed that he does not want to see the cotton farmer of Gujarat to be left at the mercy of the Centre, which is why the Gujarat Government got the New Textile Policy that will bring a qualitative difference in the lives of the farmers. He shared that the Policy would generate lakhs of jobs for people.

Shri Modi urged the people to come out and vote in large numbers and said that these elections are not about deciding who the next MLA will be but to decide who to hand the future of Gujarat to and who will steer the state to newer heights of development in the coming years. The Chief Minister stated that just like we cannot leave the keys of our house to unknown people even we are away for 15 days, we cannot leave Gujarat with unknown hands for the next 5 years. He pointed out that the people of Gujarat know him well and have seen him work for the state and he sought their blessings to serve them for 5 more years.

Terming the attitude of the Congress led UPA as anti-Gujarat, Shri Modi affirmed that instead of presenting Gujarat as a beggar state by invoking the money that is coming from Delhi, the PM should share that Gujarat contributes Rs. 60,000 crore to Delhi every year! “Is Gujarat a beggar state? Are we living at Delhi’s mercy? The Prime Minister’s language does not suit the office he holds!” avowed Shri Modi.

 

Watch : Shri Modi addresses a gathering in Savarkundla, Amreli

Giving an example of the development work in Saurashtra, Shri Modi talked about the SAUNI Yojana and stated that this scheme of Rs. 10,000 crore will take the Narmada waters to Saurashtra and help the people immensely.

The Chief Minister gave a strong reply to the lies propagated by the Congress that the Gujarat Government is delaying work on the Narmada. He shared that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru did the Shilanyas for this project and for 26 years nothing happened. Then Mrs. Indira Gandhi did not act on the file for 9 years! Similarly he brought out the obstructionist attitude of the UPA be it in not allowing gates to be placed on the dam and the fact that he had to undertake a fast to ensure that the height of the dam in raised.

Replying to the comments made by top Congress leaders on Gujarat’s education, Shri Modi said that the Centre’s own records show that if there is one state that has made significant advances in primary education it is Gujarat.

The public meetings were very well attended by people across all age groups and communities of society.

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Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
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.