On April 9th, 2013, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed different Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Kolkata. Shri Modi received a rousing reception from the audience, which consisted mostly of businessmen and businesswomen. He shared examples of Gujarat growth model which depends on 3 major sectors – Agriculture, Industry & Service sectors. He showed home & confidence that with determination & with same circumstances, same files, the country can move towards achieving Swami Vivekananda’s dream of glorious India.
Below are quotes from Shri Modi’s speech:
I am confident that I will learn a lot from West Bengal and I hope to implement what I learn in Gujarat
“A pilot team came to Gujarat from Kolkata. A powerful delegation of women who have set the stage for me to come here.”
“I am confident to learn a lot from West Bengal and hope to implement that in Gujarat. I feel I can learn a lot from Kolkata and take those things back to Gujarat”
To move forward, to overcome hurdles it is important to take a step back
“Someone had said; forget the past talk about the future. Even if we want to throw a stone we have to extend the arm back.”
“To move forward, to overcome hurdles it is important to take a step back.”
Bengal's development will lead to the development of Eastern and North-eastern India
“Today, the world talks about the 21st century as the Century of Knowledge. Knowledge-era came to Bengal in the 18th and 19th Centuries.”
“This land is uncommon. This land has always given the power to fight against wrong. Bengal was a land of thinkers and philosophers even during slavery of 1200 years.”
“Today, if we go to Andaman and Nicobar jails, we will find many names of freedom from Bengal. Even when it came to armed revolution, Bengal was at the forefront.”
“Bengal's development will lead to the development of Eastern and North-eastern India”
“The British came through Surat but decided to settle in Bengal because they knew the importance of this land. We have to understand the strength of the power of this land. Then dreams of development can be realised”
“I spent the past decade filling the ditches dug by previous governments. Similarly, in Bengal for 32 years many ditches have been dug”
“The dreams of people of West Bengal will be fulfilled, these holes will be filled, I am positive.”
“For the past three decades there was hope that in the new century India will scale new heights. In addition, Vajpayee's Government showed some hope. But the last decade of the 21st century has been disappointing.”
The UPA Government keeps on discriminating between the Congress and non-Congress ruled states. The Government has no authority to do that.
“The UPA Government keeps on discriminating between the Congress and non-Congress ruled states. The Government has no authority to do that.”
“The federal structure is being toyed with. UPA states are getting beneficial treatment. Such discrimination has shattered the dreams of several non-Congress ruled States. Then the UPA shamelessly accepts it.”
“Bengal, even under Left rule, never raised the issue of discrimination during the Vajpayee Government. There is a need to raise our voices now.”
“We have problems in Gujarat because of UPA’s interference. There is a dire need of change in Centre's way of working.”
“When the States do well, the Centre jumps to take credit. When we do not, they blame it on us. The Government of India cannot be biased towards states. They should form rules, which they think are right but stick to the implementation of those rules.”
“There is paralysis in things which need to be done, and excitement in things which should not be done.”
I believe in hope. I am not making empty promises. I speak on the basis of experience.
“I believe in hope. I am not making empty promises. I speak on the basis of experience. The same files, the same employees, the same circumstances, even with all this the country can move forward.”
“The Union government is pitting Industry and Agriculture. Gujarat's industrial development has also seen an increase in cultivable land. We have increased our cultivable land by 18 lakh hectare.”
“We have based our economy on three pillars: Industry, Agriculture, Services.”
Government intervention is must in agriculture.
“Gujarat has desert, we face water scarcity, only Narmada and Tapi are perennial rivers. Despite desert areas and scarcity of water, Gujarat has recorded 10 per cent growth in agriculture in the last decade.”
“The biggest feature of a vibrant growth model is the increase in purchasing power and per capita income.”
“Today we have covered 7 lakh hectare through micro-irrigation in Gujarat, an increase from 12000 hectares in 2001.”
“In Gujarat, farmers have their own Soil Health Card. Farmers know what crops, fertilisers are best for them. We want to give our farmers best of the facilities in the world. I want my farmers to dominate the world markets.”
“Farmers have developed a confidence that despite lack of rains, despite less water, crops can grow.”
“Government intervention is must in agriculture. Earlier governments only focused on subsidies. Gujarat has set up Agriculture universities, we have progressive farmers, focused on Agriculture department to distribute modern techniques to the farmers and revolutionise the agricultural sector. We don’t want to stop there, like our Vibrant Gujarat Summit, we are also doing an Agro Tech Fair.”
Today, we don’t have real time data on agro produce. We should use technology to do this.
“I presided over a committee to reduce high prices. I have submitted the report over a year ago. I am still waiting an update from the PM's office.”
“Today, in this large country, we don’t have real time data on agro produce. I suggested using technology to do this. We will be able to tackle food-grain crisis, and starvation if we can have such a mechanism.”
“Wheat worth crores was wasted in the store houses in Indian granaries, SC kept asking the Government to distribute it amongst the poor but Government did nothing. They waited for it to spoil and then sell them to the liquor industries.”
We divided Agriculture into 3 parts, one third resources for regular farming, one third for trees, tree farming, one third for animal husbandry
“We divided Agriculture into 3 parts, one third resources for regular farming, one third for trees, tree farming, and one third for animal husbandry.”
“Because of tree farming, when there is less rain, people can sell them and the economy is sustained. One third is animal husbandry. Hence our dairy sector is growing.”
“We have organized cattle camps. In Gujarat cattle get cataract operations and dental treatments. Because of this, 112 diseases have been eradicated.”
“Economic development has many facets. Now we want to move to value addition, we want to focus on food processing. We have brought the best textile policy to help improve the industry. We have a formula to create a chain called Farm to Factory to Fibre to Fashion to Foreign.”
We have worked very hard to make Gujarat a tourist destination. Gujaratis are the best tourists but Gujarat was never been a tourist destination
“We have worked very hard to make Gujarat a tourist destination. Gujaratis are the best tourists but Gujarat was never been a tourist destination.”
“We have worked extensively towards it and in the past 5 years Guj's growth in tourism sector has been double of entire India.”
“We are an automobile hub, we are leading in solar energy sector, we are also leading in oil refineries. Asia's biggest solar plant is in Gujarat. Gujarat is fast progressing towards becoming the solar capital in the world. We were the first state who brought in a solar policy and we set the prices a 13 rupees a unit. The govt of India offers 19 rupees a unit for solar power but they have not been able to set up even 100 MW. We have got 3000 MW of solar energy and we are now achieving price parity.”
In the past 12 years we haven’t raised taxes. We have only plugged leakages
“When I took over the reins, our revenue deficit was 6700 crore, today we are revenue surplus. In the past 12 years, we haven’t raised taxes. We have only plugged leakages.”
“The Gujarat Electricity Co had a loss of 2500 crore per year. Now we are surplus. There was a shortfall of 2000 MW when I took charge but today every single village of Gujarat gets 24 hours of electricity.”
GoI is responsible for putting the country into darkness. We have coal and power plants, but files are pending in Delhi
“There are states where provision of electricity is news but in Gujarat power cut is a news.”
“GoI is responsible for putting the country into darkness. We have coal and power plants, but files are pending in Delhi. It's as if patients need medicines, and medicines are available but there are no doctors.”
Situations are not out of control, we are lacking in the will to get things done
“Situations are not out of control, we are lacking in the will to get things done. I once suggested to the PM that we should cover the Indo-Pak borders with solar power instead of fencing and put the BSF to work upon it. But there is no development in this regard.”
“Our soldiers are beheaded by Pakistan and we are hosting lunch for them. Even the Italian prisoners who killed Indians were allowed to go for vote. We were humiliated.”
“The Foreign Minister goes abroad and reads a speech for another country. Do we need a budget for that? This is not due to budget or resource problem. This is happening because of lack of governance.”
We must resolve to change present circumstances
“Nation is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda who said youth would take India to zenith.”
“Our youth is the governing force of our country. We must resolve to change present circumstances. Based on my Gujarat experience, I can say things can be changed.”
“I request the land of Bengal to once again lead the nation with its leadership qualities and showing India the right path. Come let us make it possible and I am thankful for your support.”
When asked about whether the Gujarat model would have to be changed if it were to be applied to largely Agricultural states, Shri Modi said, “Same growth model can’t be applied to even two districts. It has to be modified but the strategy and the vision remains the same.”
Shri Modi was asked about his vision on India’s foreign Policy. Shri Modi replied, that it was important to protect India’s interests. Secondly, he said, “India never leads. Even in the case of SAARC nations we fail to emerge as the powerful nation. We are not able to pitch for these nations. Our foreign policies are not strict and even countries like Italy makes a mockery of our Supreme Court. We need to be more strict in dealing with such countries.
Shri Modi also spoke about exporting the rich human resources of India by training them in the field of teachers, nurses, etc
When asked about whether he had any suggestions for the Bengal Government on promoting tourism, Shri Modi said, “This time my visit to Bengal is as a student. I am here to learn”
Shri Modi also discussed the health care model of Gujarat including the Mukhyamantri Amrumtam and the E-Mamata Yojana. He said, “The state's water treatment plants are ensuring people remain fit and healthy. The state has implemented usage of CNG in transport services that has greatly reduced air-pollution.”
