Shri Narendra Modi's speech at Sadbhavana Mission at Godhra

Published By : Admin | January 20, 2012 | 20:11 IST

Place: Godhra

Bharat Mata ki Jai! All those who are present on the stage - the State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. RC Faldu ji, fellow Cabinet of Ministers, Members of Parliament, Officer Bearers of the Party, Tehsil Panchayat and Zila Parishad, all the members of the Municipal Council and all my dear brothers and sisters of Panchmahal district who have gathered here since morning in thousands! I wanted to give this speech in Gujarati. But since morning; in fact since last night itself, our friends from the media have requested otherwise.. Hence, since I promised them that I’d take care of the situation; they needn’t worry and since they have made this request to me, I have agreed to talk to you in Hindi. My brothers and sisters of Panchmahal District, it’s not difficult for us to understand Hindi. Hence, I am convinced that the message that I want to give you will certainly reach you.

Brothers and sisters, one thing is certain that today the identity of Gujarat in the whole country is very clear to the whole world. The country and the world don’t have any confusion about it. All over India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Gujarat is being discussed in one voice. And that voice, that expression, that faith is that of development. Everywhere, there is no dispute about the issue of the development of Gujarat.Gujarat’s claims about the issues related to development have been proven correct on the ground. Gujarat has never claimed about anything more than that. And brothers and sisters, for the first time, in our country, the issue of development is in the centre of discussion. Whether one doesn’t accept this or not; everyone may have some reason for that, everyone may have some compulsions, everyone may have their own agendas, but it may be possible that they don’t have the capacity to accept this truth today.But people will have to accept that it is the 6 crores of people of Gujarat who have forced all the governments of Indian states to discuss the issue of development.There used to be elections even earlier. But earlier, when there used to be elections, they used to be held on the basis of promises. Those who were in power used to make new promises; those who wanted to come in power also used to show new dreams and make new promises to the people.  What was accomplished, how much welfare work was done; no discussion was done on this issue. They used to talk about what they were going to do. Gujarat government has made this environment in the whole country where we will have to give an account of the past work done to the people and the people will elect only these people who are working for the welfare of the people and who have a proven record of working for the people. We have created this situation and we are proud of the fact that we have made development the agenda in India. Everyone has to follow this trend.

Other people have this modus operandi according to which they throw crumbs. If they need 250 votes out of a thousand in order to win election in an area, they take care of only 250 people. They throw some crumbs, make a vote bank of these people and serve their purpose. They are not bothered about what will happen to the remaining 750 people. The entire political game revolves around the equation of vote bank. Development work has also been done only to strengthen their vote bank electorate. If a road has to be constructed, it is constructed only in a village from where they are likely to get votes. Otherwise, the village has to stay without a road for forty years.Everything has been linked to the vote bank and to the election. The result is that the vote bank has flourished, but the country has not flourished.Some handfuls of people have done well, but the common people have not done well. This country has seen this misfortune. Gujarat has given to this country the system where we have finished the politics of throwing crumbs. The activity of serving one’s own interests by enticing and misleading people has been terminated in Gujarat. We have given the priority to the development on ground level.

My old friends from the media who are present here may be aware what the notion of development was earlier. I remember, when I had newly entered political life, famine used to be the common phenomenon in Gujarat. Wherever we toured, people used to come and give us memorandum. They used to give us a letter of demands. And what they used to demand? They used to say that since there was a possibility of famine, there should be relief work in their area too. They should get a job of labourers so that they could survive. They used to have this demand. If a village was more aware, it used to demand that if digging had to take place, then at least the soil should be spread over the footpath in the village, so that they could walk easily to catch the bus. They used to ask for a dirt-track to be built. People didn’t know what development meant. And the governments also regarded building a dirt-track a work of development. The relief-work done during famine and making roads out of that was regarded as great accomplishment. Brothers and sisters, now within last 15 years a great change has taken place. How the situation has changed. Today, people from tribal areas come to meet me. When they come, they say, “Modiji, we want to do some road work.” I tell them that I am touring all the time and I know they have a concrete road in their village. They say that they have a concrete road, but it is good for only single traffic. They want a double-traffic road. In some places they say they have a double-traffic road, but now the times have changed and they want a paved road. Today, the Adivasi farmer from Gujarat demands a paved road;this is the model of development. This is an example of how the development takes place, how it change the conditions.

I had gone to a district in this Sadbhavana mission. There, some people from the Banjara community came to see me. They offered me a plastic toy JCB. I asked them why they had brought it. They said they had brought it after considering thoughtfully. I asked them how. They said they used to keep donkeys earlier and they used to carry soil on donkeys. But after the coming of my government, they don’t keep donkeys now, but they keep JCB. They had come to gift me this symbol of their progress.

Friends, there was a time when the people of Dahod and Godhra used to migrate to the towns immediately after the rains stopped, without waiting for Diwali.In order to ensure that your vehicle stayed fit and you get a proper road to drive on, my tribal brother used to stand in the heat of 45 degrees and work as labours to make tarred road and the rich people of the city used to drive their vehicles on it. Today if you go to Panchmahal, you won’t find a labourer to work on the road. If you ask, he says he is a contractor now. Earlier he used to work as a labourer, but now he takes contracts. If you are willing to give him a contract, he can come. Now the days of manual labour have gone. We have proven the model of development.

There was a time when someone asked for water, there was an arrangement to send a tanker in Gujarat. Common people used to ask for water every year. As soon as January-February came, here would be a scarcity of water and immediately all government officials and political leaders used to plan about sending tankers. Their relatives used to take loans from the banks and buy tankers. They used to get work from the government. Water supply used to be partial. Some tankers used to be bought. But bills used to bepaid for all water and tankers. This was the business going on then. When you gave me the responsibility of this land of Gujarat, there were 4000 villages in Gujarat where water was supplied through tankers. There were about 30% villages in this state, where water was supplied through tankers. And supplying water through tanker meant that there was a big game of corruption being played here. And they were pleased with this. If twice a week water was supplied through tankers, they told the people that the government was working a lot for them. This was their model for development. If someone demanded water more strongly, they would dig hand pump. Their farthest thinking went up to hand pump. Giving water meant installing a hand pump. They didn’t have a map of development in their mind that went beyond hand pump. They had never thought how the people could get drinking water. Even the condition about hand pump was that if its washer stopped working, in a week the hand pump would stop working. Then, it would take 2 years to get the new washer. People could only see this iron stump outside their house.It was a memorial of their governance. This was the model of development. Brothers and sister, today we have arranged to supply water through pipelines. We have supplied water to all the villages of Gujarat, and do you know how bigthe pipeline is? You can drive a Maruti car inside this pipeline. We have supplied water to the villages of Gujarat with pipelines of this size.

You will be surprised to know – I don’t know if ten years ago our friends in the media reported about this –in 2001, in our tribal belt from Umar Village to Ambaji, amongst the tribal households, there were only 4% villages, where water supply came from the tap. Brothers and sisters, we have made efforts in last ten years to eradicate the problems of last fifty years and we have reached the level of providing tap water in 75% households. In coming times, we will be successful in providing tap water to 100% tribal households. This country is not going to be deluded by people who consider hand pump as a symbol of development. We took development to new heights.

There was a time when at Ankleshwar, Vapi and Valsad, some factories were established. And these people were walking around congratulating themselves about Golden Corridor.If some factories were established on the sides of a fifty kms highway, it was called the Golden Corridor and it was regarded as the development of Gujarat. They were celebrating this. How could Gujarat be called an industrialised state just on the strength of some factories on a 50 kms highway? Friends, today, you may go to any district of Gujarat. We have brought some industry to every district. If you come out of Godhra and go till Baroda, the entire route is filled up with industries. No one had thought that industries could come here in every region, in every district here. We have changed the definition of industrial development.

We want to develop all areas and all sections of the society. Earlier our farmer used to cultivate land. Friends, what was the condition of agriculture? He used to wait for the rainfall. If it rained, the crops came up. He could earn his living. Otherwise, for eight months he used to wait for labour opportunities. Water used to flow into the sea, but it could not be used properly.When it rained, the water used to flow away. We made arrangements for rain water harvesting. We gave importance to water. And what is the result today? I challenge my friends from the Congress, if they have love in their hearts for the farmers, if they want to engage in the welfare of Indian villages, then I invite the Central Government in Delhi to take up the challenge. They are not able to develop the agriculture of India beyond 3%. They can’t deny this truth. We have crossed the level of 11% in agricultural development of Gujarat.

Today I was watching the exhibition here. You too may have seen it. I met the farmers of Sangrampur. They said they were growing
Parwal using modern methods. And it is possible for us to earn 2-5-3 lakhs of rupees in an acre of land. I asked them where they were going to sell so many
Parwals. They know everything. They said their
Parwal would go to Bombay and from there to foreign countries. They are working following the ambition that their
Parwal will be sold in the international market. Friends, things can be change. They didn’t know about this kind of development. They were engaged in playing small games. We generated this great situation.

Brothers and sisters, today when people talk about development, they talk about Gujarat. When they talk about Gujarat, they talk about development i.e., these are two sides of the same coin. Gujarat and development; development and Gujarat are being discussed everywhere. And you may be aware, if you have gone to any part of India. If you have gone to Haridwar, Rishikesh or to meet some relative, if you have gone to attend a marriage party or are travelling in train.If you meet a person from outside Gujarat,if he knows that you are from Gujarat, he will immediately hold your hand firmly and will not leave it, because he thinks he can get some new energy by holding your hand. This happens all over the country. No one can deny this. Friends, if because of some political reasons, someone tries to suppress this truth, then we should ask his soul, in the life of every person present here, if you have met a person from another state, you must have had this experience. I can say this with challenge. This has not happened easily. We have worked very hard for this. For ten years, we have strived very hard for development. We have engaged the entire administration for this single purpose. We have strengthened the power of the society.

Brothers and sisters, we have two very clear pictures before us.There are two very clear political cultures before the country. Thiscountry has to decide which political culture is going to bring welfare to the country and which political culture is destroying the country. One political tendency believes in divide and rule. Make as many fragments of the country as possible. Another political culture believes in unity of all and development for all. This mantra has not emerged in a vacuum. It has emerged from hard work. The reason is that the vote bank politics has destroyed the country. Gujarat has shown to the world the strength of peace, unity and brotherhood. Brothers and sisters, different people evaluate in different ways the reasons behind the new heights of development that we have crossed today. Some people feel that the Chief Minister is good, that’s why there is development. Some people feel this government is good, that is why there is development. Some people feel that the administrative machinery is functioning now, that is why there is development. Some people feel that their BDO is good, that is why good works are being done. Some feel their TDO is good that is why good work is being done. Some people feel their village worker is good, that’s why work is being done. All people see different reasons for this. They see reason in their experiences. But brothers and sisters, I can see more than this from where I am sitting. I have more opportunities to see things in larger perspective. And hence, if anyone deserves the credit for making Gujarat reach great heights of development; it is my 6 crore brothers and sisters of Gujarat. This has been made possible because of you. This has happened because of you. What is that force because of which this has happened?

People will say, if not 6 crore, there were about 5 crore people even earlier, so why didn’t it happen earlier? Your question is legitimate. Why didn’t it happen before? Because earlier, all castes used to fight with all other castes regularly.Someone used to talk about segments and beating and killing other communities. Someone else used to bring another kind of politics and wanted to kill another community. Even amongst the Adivasi brothers and sisters, there were segments based on their differences.They used to create dissensions among them. They used to make castes fight against each other. If a farmer grew crops and the crops were ready for harvest and another caste had some animosity against him, they would go and burn the crops in the night. Sometimes the crop was harvested and stored in the fields to be taken to the market the next day. But before that someone else would come and steal the crops in the night. There were conflicts between castes and villages were divided along caste lines. The poison of casteism was destroying us. On the other hand was the poison of communalism. Gujarat was the place for communal riots. Since 1736, this was the norm. Every other year during the Jagannath Chariot festival there were riots. There were riots during Muharram, during Ganesha festival procession, during flying kites, while riding the bicycle if one hit another person. We used to find opportunities to have riots. This had become the norm in the country. And in Gujarat there was always curfew in force. Godhra also has a history. In 1985 there was curfew for 300 days in this Godhra. It is true that for most of this period, setting aside 40-50 days, the curfew was in force in the night. But it’s not a small matter to have curfew for 300 days. There was curfew for 300 days in this town. Riots were the order of the day. Beating, killing, shedding blood, burning someone’s auto rickshaw or someone’s betel leaf shop, using weapon; this is what used to happen in those days. It was the poor man who died. Thereused to be destruction. Gujarat was in such a state, where when a child was born, s/he didn’t know how to pronounce Mummy or papa, but s/he understood the meaning of curfew. S/he knew how to pronounce curfew. A child who is 10 yrs old today doesn’t even know what curfew is.Those days are gone; there was a time when a child didn’t know his/her own uncles, but s/he knew very well the police uncle.This was because outside the society, the residential area, outside the slums, some or other policeman was always standing with a baton in hand. He used to stand there round the ear and the children knew him as police uncle, but they didn’t know their own uncle. We have seen those days.

Ten years have passed. All these things have vanished from Gujarat.The environment created by unity, peace and brotherhood has generated the force for development.The basis for development is our unity, peace and brotherhood.We experience this. Sometimes when our mother cooks a nice meal at home, we enjoy it. But we are not aware what all effort Mother has made to cook this food. In the same way, we are enjoying the fruits of this development, but we have not thought about the depth of force that went in making this development possible.Through my Sadbhavana fast, I have come here to make you realise your own strength. I have chosen this medium of fast so that you show to the world what you have achieved.This is why I have chosen this route of penance. It is not meant to get something. It is not against anyone. Nor do I waste my energy in working against anyone. I have so much work to do for my 6 crores of people, that even six births would be insufficient for that. I don’t want to waste my time against anyone. My time is for you and I want to use it for your welfare; this is my resolve.

I want to tell the world that I have borne stiff opposition and I don’t care whether anyone supports me or not. And I don’t have any complaints about it. Let problems come my way. We are ready to regenerate ourselves from that heat itself. Today people were blessing me profusely. Someone was blessing me for becoming something; someone was blessing me to do something. I said to everyone that if they wanted to bless me, they should not bless me to become something. They should not bless me to do something. They should bless me that no matter how many injustices I face, my tolerance level should not go down.They should give me this blessing and after that the game is in my hands. My tolerance level will rise as injustices on me will grow. I have emerged from purity; I make God my witness while doing any work. That’s why I have got the strength of tolerating injustices by the blessings of my people. I’ll keep on tolerating injustices and will keep on serving Gujarat with truth and honesty.Friends, I know how problematic my government in Gujarat for those who have enjoyed power for 40-50 years and whose flags flies in Delhi. In any case, if a small child has a toy in his hand, a pen in his pen and if you need to write so you take the pen away from the child, you know how much the child screams in the house. Even a small child creates a scene for two days if you take his pen away from his hand. As compared to this, these people have lost everything. That’s why I can understand their problem. You must have seen a squirrel...no, a lizard. If its tail gets dismembered, it keeps on jumping around. It keeps on jumping for a long time. It doesn’t have any chance to get it back, but it keeps on jumping. So, this jumping around is a normal way of life.

Brothers and sisters, about reaching the heights of development,those who like Gujarat say that they want to be like Gujarat and those who don’t like Gujarat, say that in their work they have surpassed Gujarat.If there is an index for comparison, it is Gujarat. If they want to do good work, they want to copy Gujarat and if they have done well, still they compare with Gujarat and say that they have achieved this.But nowadays, whatever happens in Gujarat, something else happens elsewhere.See, the postal department of the Government of India has brought out an envelope today. It is surprising that the postal department of the Government of India should bring out an envelope on the Sadbhavana Mission.  I don’t know what will happen to these officials, because recently, an IT conference was held. It was an All India Conference and a IT official from the Delhi government was present there.And in goodwill, he spoke some nice words about Gujarat that in IT sector Gujarat has done well. As soon as he reached there, he was transferred. He had committed only one mistake that he had praised Gujarat.

Brothers and sisters, today a special envelope has been brought out by the postal department and they have brought it out on Sadbhavana Mission, on the land of Godhra. If there is a message about peace, unity and brotherhood, this is one example of it. See another example. Recently, an election meeting was held in Punjab. Elections are going on in Punjab. In the election meeting of Punjab, the ex-Chief Minister of Congress and who is leading the election process, Captain Amarinder Singh has publicly given a speech, in Punjab elections, in order to seek votes from the people, the Congress leader has said that if people vote for him, he will take Punjab forward like Gujarat. He has said this. This means that even in Punjab they are thinking about working along the lines of Gujarat model. Friends, this is not only a matter of this place. All over India if the Congress leaders have to say anything to the people, they have to refer to Gujarat. So, what to speak of these people and why I should say anything. If I have to say anything, I have to say it only to my 6 crore people of Gujarat that Sadbhavana is the only path that has taken Gujarat forward and it can take other states also forward. They think that if they imitate Modi, they can manage, if they implement some plan of Modi in their own name, they can manage. It’s possible that to some extent they can reform the situation. But if they want to take their states to great heights of development, then I would like to request these honourable people that they should not only imitate the schemes of Gujarat.They should recognise the force of unity, peace and brotherhood that lies behind the 6 crore people of Gujarat. They should understand how Gujarat has librated itself from the poison of casteism. They should understand how communalism has been buried in Gujarat.And having understood all this, if they are willing to use it in their states, then those states can even surpass Gujarat. If they want to do something, they should do this. This is the remedy, which I want to reveal to the country.Because of this, I have begun this endeavour of fast of Sadbhavana.

Brothers and sisters, I am grateful to the media that they have come here. No matter what he show, what they say, but they will have to show this, I can say this with certainty. This is a penance, which no one can deny. Brothers and sisters, nowadays, whatever swear words exist in the dictionary and whatever swear words exist outside the dictionary, all of them are being used on me. They are calling me names with full strength. Psychologists say that after the anger passes, the mind feels relieved. Some people use swear words and feel relieved. Hence, because of  whatever swear words they are using and whatever peace of mind he experiences, this too is an example of my goodwill. And I request them that if they feel a sense of relief by heaping criticisms at me as much as they like, they should without hesitation keep on swearing at me. Because if some good happens to them and their mind feels relaxed, this too is an achievement for my 6 crore Gujaratis.Because I want to see all 6 crore Gujaratis happy. This is my goodwill for them.

Brothers and sisters, I had said it in my first speech that I make staircase with the stones that are thrown at me and I take Gujarat to great heights through that staircase. The country can’t be run by criticising others. And I request my friends from the Congress, or even you can ask them if you get an opportunity, that if they are going after Modi so much, whythey don’t discuss the schemes of the Indian Government; that would be good. Modi is talking about his plans, they should talk about theirs, but they don’t talk about their plans. For example, they may have built a national highway of 50 kms, or built 10 bridges, or they may have built four new railway tracks, or have built two new airports. But they don’t speak because they have not done anything.

They had made one promise that within a hundred days they would bring the inflation rate down. These people had come to you for votes and had said that if you let them form a government in Delhi, they were going to bring the inflation rate down in a hundred days. Please speak loudly, did they say this? Yes. Did they inflation rate come down? No. Did the inflation rate rise? Yes. They should give an answer for this. People are asking them this question. The poor people can’t light the stove in their house.

Recently, the Prime Minister expressed his anguish. He said that the country’s condition because of lack of nutrition is a matter of embarrassment for us. If he had been a professor and given this statement, we could understand. But he is not a professor, he is a Prime Minister. He should not get away by just giving a statement; he should take the responsibility and suggest the solution for this. Friends, I’m surprised. The Prime Minister of India is seated in such a high position. He is a scholarly person and the most part of his life has been associated with the power structure. He is acknowledged as an economist. How is it that in 2012 he came to know that there is problem of nutrition in the country? Brothers and sisters, I want to talk about how Gujarat thinks. In 2001 a Census was conducted. In 2004 its full report came out. When I read the full report in 2004, my attention was drawn towards the aspect of malnutrition. I called a meeting of officials.I said that this report of the Census was worrisome and we should think about it. And you’ll be surprised to know that while the Prime Minister is talking about it in 2012; we began the fight against malnutrition in 2005. We spent a budget of one thousand crores on malnutrition, because poor people’s children should not suffer from malnutrition. If a pregnant woman is malnourished, her child will be born malnourished, handicapped and mentally underdeveloped. This will be a cause of worry for the society. We began this work in 2005. Such a great person didn’t even know about it till 2012; we can imagine what may happen to this country.This is a shameful matter. Malnutrition is a cause for worry. But to get away by just saying that it’s a matter of shame is not the way to run a country. They get votes in the name of the poor. They should think about the poor at least to some extent. They should worry about the poor. But they are not willing to do this.

There is a poor people’s 20-point welfare programme. And every three months the Indian Government makes an analysis of it. And in last 10 years, not a single Congress has been able to come in the first five ranks. These ranks are occupied by either BJP-ruled states or their NDA allies. Hence, the Indian government, instead of improving the performance of its own states, stopped making the survey itself. You can see their love for the poor. They stopped making the survey and bringing out the report, because the BJP-ruled states used to be ahead of them on this 20-points programme and this was a matter of embarrassment for them. Is this the way to uplift the poor? Brothers and sisters, political speeches are alright. During elections someone may engage in it; we have no problem. But one aspect is clear. We have wasted 60 years of this country. Now the people of this country are not ready to wait anymore. Every person wants a change. Every person wants development and change in his/her life. And Gujarat government has tried to bring this change. The country is also waiting for this. The country also wants change. It wants liberation from this serious condition.

Brothers and sisters, pace, unity and brotherhood through Sadbhavana Mission is our strength. We have to keep this strength intact. We have to make this strength grow. We have to embrace each other no matter what paths we follow and we have to follow the path of that idea that India is our Mother, Gujarat is our region and this village is ours. I have begun my journey for this purpose. I have toured more than half the districts of Gujarat, but I never saw this kind of massive human gathering. Friends, I have been travelling through districts for last 25 years. I have seen religious programmes, social programmes and political programmes, but it is a wonder in itself that people should come in lakhs only to meet someone. This is not something that political pundits can understand. They can’t understand what this is about. I can understand what this is about. I can feel what power is driving them. People from every walk of life – today a person came to see me – his child is 3 years old. He said to me that this child had resolved since yesterday to fast unto death. A mere child of 2.5-3 yrs old is fasting at home. Friends, this power can’t be the subject for understanding of any political pundit. Mothers and sisters come here, who are not very educated. But the feeling with which they bless can’t be judged by political index. This is popular feeling associated with penance. This popular feeling has a different force. It’s not possible to understand it from the political perspective. This is the occasion for a social revolution. Gujarat wants to show how powerful we can become be becoming united and the country should understand this.In the family if there is unity, the family progresses. If there is unity in the village, the village progresses forward. If there is unity in the state, the state progresses forward. If there is unity in the country, the country progresses forward. And I said this on the first day that this Sadbhavana Mission has come to kill the vote bank politics. Vote bank politics should b finished in this country. Everyone should be united; everyone’s welfare should be done – this should be the resolve. This country has been destroyed by the business of throwing crumbs for electoral benefits.Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (All together, growth for all), this is the only path for us. Hence, brothers and sisters, come let’s go forward. And for the welfare of the society, for the welfare of all sections of the society – no one should be left out; no one should be left behind. The society can be healthy only when all the sections of the society are powerful. Let’s go forward with this mantra. Today lakhs of people have blessed me. I salute the land of Panchmal. I also greet those who have fasted with me.

Brothers and sisters, when I started, I had said I would fast alone. But in ever district thousands of people are sitting on fast. Small children say that Modiji has not broken his fast and they don’t eat when they go back home.I had some very bad experiences in two or three districts. I request all of you to go home and definitely break your fast this programme ends. My fast will continue till tomorrow morning. That is why I don’t end it here. But in your family children are involved in this fast and you are involved in this fast. My request to you is to go home and end this fast and eat with your family. That will also be a blessing for me. Once again, I am very grateful to you. I have to say one more thing to you. I talk about development and I have come to Panchmahal district. In Panchmahal district, we had made a plan. According to that plan, welfare works worth about 1100 crores are already being implemented in the district. Friends, there was a time the entire budget of the whole state government was not this much. Today, in on district of yours, welfare works worth 1100 crores are being done. They are progressing. Each of these works is progressing to be completed.But today I have come here and I offer at the feet of this Panchmahal district about 1490 crores of rupees i.e., about 1500 crores of rupees. In this 2012 itself, this money will be used for your development, whether it is village development, urban development, water supply or drainage arrangement, for hospitals and schools, making water supply better organised, for all these purposes, I offer 1490 crores or 1500 crores for the development of Panchmahal district. Say loudly because you have got 1500 crores, Hail to the glorious Gujarat! Hail to mother India! Those who want to see me; I’ll be here and will go only after greeting all of you.

 

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QuoteThis year’s ‘Republic Day’ is very special. It is the 75th anniversary of the Indian Republic: PM Modi
QuoteI salute all those great personalities of the Constituent Assembly, who gave us our sacred Constitution: PM
QuoteI would like to thank the Election Commission, which has modernised and strengthened our voting process from time to time: PM
QuoteKumbh, Pushkaram, Ganga Sagar Mela promote social interaction, harmony and unity: PM Modi
QuoteOur country is setting new benchmarks in space technology: PM Modi
QuoteHeartening to see StartUps flourish in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across the country: PM
QuoteNetaji Subhas Bose was a visionary and courage was in his very nature: PM Modi

My dear countrymen,

Namaskar. Today is the first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of 2025. You surely must have noticed something. Every time ‘Mann Ki Baat’ takes place on the last Sunday of the month, but this time, we are meeting a week earlier on the third Sunday instead of the fourth Sunday. As next week, ‘Republic Day’ is on a Sunday. I wish all countrymen a very happy ‘Republic Day’ in advance.

Friends,

this year’s ‘Republic Day’ is very special. It is the 75th anniversary of the Indian Republic. This year marks 75 years of the Constitution coming into force. I salute all those great personalities of the Constituent Assembly, who gave us our sacred Constitution. During the Constituent Assembly, long deliberations were held on many subjects. Those discussions, the thoughts of the members of the Constituent Assembly, their words, are our great heritage. Today in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ it is my endeavour to make you listen to the original voices of some great leaders.

Friends,

when the Constituent Assembly embarked upon the task, Baba Saheb Ambedkar had said something very significant with regard to mutual cooperation. This Address of his is in English. I will make you listen to an excerpt of it -

“So far as the ultimate goal is concerned, I think none of us need have any apprehensions. None of us need have any doubt, but my fear which I must express clearly is this, our difficulty as I said is not about the ultimate future. Our difficulty is how to make the heterogeneous mass that we have today, take a decision in common and march in a cooperative way on that road which is bound to lead us to unity. Our difficulty is not with regard to the ultimate; our difficulty is with regard to the beginning.”

Friends,

Baba Saheb had been emphasizing on the fact that the Constituent Assembly should be united, have one opinion and work together for the common good. I will make you listen to another audio clip of the Constituent Assembly. This audio is of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji, who was the President of our Constituent Assembly. Let us listen to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji -

“Our history shows us and our culture teaches us that we are and have always been peace loving. Our empire and our conquests have been of a different kind. We have never tried to shackle others in chains, be they of iron or gold. We have bound others with us by a silk thread that is stronger than iron chains but more beautiful and pleasant and that bond is of religion, culture and knowledge. We will continue to tread the same path and we have only one desire and wish; that wish is… we can help in establishing happiness and peace in the world and give the world the infallible weapons of truth and non-violence which have brought us freedom today. There is something in our life and culture that has given us the strength to survive despite the blows of time. If we keep our ideals before us, we will be able to offer a great service to the world.”

Friends,

Rajendra Prasad ji had spoken about the country's commitment towards human values. I now make you listen to the voice of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He raised the issue of equality of opportunities. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had said -

“I hope that we shall go ahead with our work in spite of all difficulties and thereby help to create that great India which will be the motherland of not this community or that, not this class or that, but of every person, man, woman and child inhabiting in this great land irrespective of race, caste, creed or community. Everyone should have an equal opportunity so that he or she can develop himself or herself according to best talent and serve the great common motherland of India.”

Friends,

I hope you too would have liked listening to this original audio from the debates of the Constituent Assembly. We, the citizens of the country, taking inspiration from these thoughts, have to work towards building such an India that even the makers of our Constitution would be proud of.

Friends,

A day before Republic Day, the 25th of January is National Voter's Day. This day is important because on this day the Election Commission of India was established. Our constitution makers have accorded a very important place to our Election Commission in the Constitution and equally to people's participation in democracy. When the first elections were held in the country in 1951-52, some people were doubtful whether the country's democracy would survive. But our democracy proved all the apprehensions wrong - after all, India is the Mother of Democracy. In the past decades as well, the country's democracy has strengthened and prospered.

I would also like to thank the Election Commission, which has modernized and strengthened our voting process from time to time. The Commission has used the power of technology to give more power to the power of the people. I congratulate the Election Commission for its commitment to fair elections. I would like to urge the countrymen to use their right to vote, always, in maximum numbers and also become a part of the country's democratic process and strengthen this process.

My dear countrymen,

The Maha Kumbh has commenced in Prayagraj. An Unforgettable sea of humanity, incredible visuals and an extraordinary confluence of equality and harmony! This time, many a divine alignment is also converging at the Kumbh. This festival of Kumbh celebrates the festival of unity in diversity. People from all over India and the world congregate on the sands of the Sangam. There is no discrimination, no casteism anywhere in this tradition which has been going on for thousands of years... People from the south of India, from the east and west of India arrive here. In the Kumbh, the rich and the poor come together as one. All of them take a dip at the Sangam, dine together in the bhandaras, receive prasad - that is why the Kumbh is the Maha Kumbh of unity. The Kumbh event also tells us how our traditions bind the whole of India together. The ways of adhering to the beliefs are the same from north to south. On the one hand, the Kumbh is organized at Prayagraj, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar; on the other, in the southern part, Pushkaram is organized on the banks of Godavari, Krishna, Narmada and Kaveri rivers. Both these festivals are connected with our holy rivers and their beliefs. Similarly, from Kumbakonam to Tirukkad-Yur, from Kood-Vasal to Tirucherai, there are many such temples whose traditions are connected with the Kumbh.

Friends,

This time you must have seen that the participation of youth in the Kumbh is very extensive, and it is also true that when the young generation connects with its civilization with pride, its roots become stronger, and then its golden future is also ensured. This time we are also witnessing the digital footprints of the Kumbh on such a large scale. This global popularity of the Kumbh is a matter of pride for every Indian.

Friends,

Just a few days ago, the 'Ganga Sagar Mela' was also organized on a grand scale in West Bengal. On the auspicious occasion of Sankranti, lakhs of devotees from all over the world took a dip at this fair. 'Kumbh', 'Pushkaram' and 'Ganga Sagar Mela' - these festivals of ours are festivals that enhance our social coalescence, harmony, unity. These festivals connect the people of India with the Indian traditions and just as our scriptures have emphasized on Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha in the world. Our festivals and traditions also empower every aspect - spiritual, social, cultural and economic.

Friends,

This month we celebrated the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha Parv of Ram Lalla on the day of 'Paush Shukla Dwadashi'. This year 'Paush Shukla Dwadashi' fell on the 11th of January. On this day, lakhs of Ram devotees had a darshan of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and received his blessings. This Dwadashi of Pran Pratishtha is the Dwadashi of the re-establishment of the cultural consciousness of India. Therefore, this day of Paush Shukla Dwadashi has also become the day of Pratishtha Dwadashi in a way. While walking on the path of development, we have to preserve our heritage and move forward taking inspiration from that.

My dear countrymen,

In the beginning of 2025 itself, India has attained many historic achievements in the field of Space. Today, I am proud to convey that an Indian Space-Tech start-up, Bengaluru based Pixxel has successfully launched India's first private satellite constellation - 'Firefly'. This satellite constellation is the world's topmost high-resolution hyper spectral satellite constellation. This achievement has not only made India a leader in modern space technology, but is also a big step towards a Self-reliant India i.e. Aatmnirbhar Bharat. This success is a symbol of the growing strength and innovation of our private Space Sector. On behalf of the entire country, I congratulate the team of Pixxel, ISRO and IN-SPACe for this achievement.

Friends,

A few days ago, our scientists marked another major achievement in the Space Sector. Our scientists have undertaken space docking of satellites. When two Space crafts are connected in Space, this process is called Space Docking. This technology is important for sending supplies to Space Stations and crew missions in Space. India has become the fourth country to have achieved this success. Friends, our scientists are also making efforts to grow plants in Space and make them survive. For this, ISRO scientists chose seeds of cow pea. These seeds, sent on the 30th of December, germinated in Space itself. This is a very inspiring experiment which will pave the way for growing vegetables in Space in future. This shows how far-sightedly our scientists are working.
Friends, I want to tell you about another inspiring initiative. IIT Madras's ExTeM Centre is working on new technologies for manufacturing in Space. This Centre is conducting research on technologies like 3D-printed buildings, metal foams and optical fibres in Space. This Centre is also developing revolutionary methods like concrete construction without water.

This research of ExTeM will strengthen India's Gaganyaan mission and the future Space Station. This will also open new avenues of modern technology in manufacturing. Friends, all these achievements are proof of how visionary India's scientists and innovators are, in providing solutions to future challenges. Today, our country is setting new benchmarks in Space technology. I extend my best wishes to India's scientists, innovators and young entrepreneurs on behalf of the entire nation.

My dear countrymen

Many a time, you must have seen pictures of amazing bonding between humans and animals; you must have heard stories of animals' loyalty as well. Whether it is a pet or a wild animal, their relationship with humans sometimes amazes us. Animals may not be able to speak, but humans can understand their feelings and their gestures very well. Animals also understand the language of love and live by it too. I want to share an example from Assam with you. There is a place in Assam called Naugaon. Naugaon is the birthplace of our country's great luminary Srimanta Shankardev Ji. This place is very beautiful. It is also the habitat to a large number of elephants. Many incidents were being noticed in this area where herds of elephants used to destroy crops, farmers used to get upset, on account of which people of about 100 villages in the vicinity were facing hardships. But the villagers also understood the elephants' helplessness. They knew that elephants were intruding the fields to satiate their hunger, so the villagers thought of finding a solution to this. A team of villagers was formed, which was named 'Haathi Bandhu'. Haathi Bandhu displaying their wisdom, made a unique effort on about 800 bighas of barren land. Here the villagers together planted Napier grass. Elephants like this grass very much. The result was that the elephants lessened straying towards the fields. This is a matter of great relief for thousands of villagers. This effort of theirs has been liked by the elephants as well.

Friends,

our culture and heritage teaches us to live with love with the surrounding animals and birds. It is a matter of great joy for all of us that in the last two months, two new Tiger Reserves have been added in our country. One of these is Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh and the other is Ratapani Tiger Reserve in MP.

My dear countrymen,

Swami Vivekananda ji had said that only the person who is passionate about one’s idea is able to achieve one’s goal. Our passion and dedication are of utmost importance to make an idea successful. The path to innovation, creativity and success is certain to come up through complete dedication and enthusiasm. Just a few days ago, on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda ji, I got the privilege of being a part of the 'Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'. There I spent my whole day with young friends who had come from every corner of the country. The youth shared their ideas on various sectors like startups, culture, women, youth and infrastructure. This program was very memorable for me.

Friends,

Just a few days ago, Start-Up India has completed 9 years. More than half of the startups that have been formed in our country in these 9 years are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and when we hear that, every Indian's heart is delighted with the fact that our StartUp culture is not limited to just big cities. And you will be surprised to know that more than half of the startups in smaller cities are being led by our daughters. When we hear that cities like Ambala, Hisar, Kangra, Chengalpattu, Bilaspur, Gwalior and Washim are becoming centers of StartUps, the heart is filled with joy. In a State like Nagaland, the registration of StartUps has increased by more than 200% last year. Waste Management, Non-Renewable Energy, Biotechnology and Logistics are the sectors in which the most number of Start-Ups are being noticed.
These are not conventional sectors but our young friends also think beyond the conventional & that is why they are achieving success.

Friends,

10 years ago when someone used to talk about entering the field of Start-Ups, one had to listen to many kinds of taunts. Some would ask after all, what is a Start-Up? Others would say, that will not lead you anywhere! But see, how big a change up has come in a decade now! You too should take full advantage of the new opportunities being created in India. If you believe in yourself, your dreams will also soar to new heights.

My dear countrymen,

work done with good intentions and selfless spirit reaches far and wide through word of mouth. And our 'Mann Ki Baat' is a huge platform for that. In our vast country, if someone is doing good work even in remote areas and lends utmost importance to one’s sense of duty, this is the best platform to bring one’s efforts to the fore. Deepak Nabam ji has set a unique example of the spirit of service in Arunachal Pradesh. Deepak ji runs a Living-Home here, where mentally unwell, physically challenged people and the elderly are served; drug addicts are taken care of here as well. Deepak Nabam ji, without any help started a campaign to support the deprived people of the society, violence-affected families and homeless people. Today his service has transformed into an organization. His organization has also been honoured with many awards. The work of K. Hindumbi ji, who works as a nurse on the Kavaratti island of Lakshadweep, is also very inspiring. You will be surprised to know that she retired from government service 18 years ago, but even today she is engaged in serving people with the same compassion and affection as she used to do earlier. The efforts of KG Mohammad ji of Lakshadweep are also amazing.

The marine ecosystem of Minicoy Island is getting stronger through his hard work. He has written many songs to make people aware about the environment. He has also received the Best Folk Song Award from the Lakshadweep Sahitya Kala Academy. After retirement, KG Mohammad is also working with the museum there.
Friends, there is another piece of very good news from Andaman and Nicobar Islands too. Virgin coconut oil in Nicobar district has recently received the GI Tag. After the GI Tag, another new initiative has been undertaken for virgin coconut oil. Self-help groups are being formed by organizing the women associated with the production of this oil. They are also being imparted special training in marketing and branding. This is a big step towards economically empowering our tribal communities. I am sure that in future, the virgin coconut oil of Andaman-Nicobar is going to be a newsmaker in the world and the biggest contribution in that will be of the women's self-help groups of Andaman and Nicobar.

My dear countrymen,

Imagine a scene for a moment. It is January in Kolkata. The Second World War is at its peak and anger against the British is at its peak in India. Because of this, policemen are deployed at every nook and corner of the city. The police presence is more vigilant around a house in the middle of Kolkata. Meanwhile, a man wearing a long brown coat, pants and a black hat comes out of a bungalow in the dark of the night in a car. Crossing several heavily guarded checkpoints, he reaches a railway station called Gomo. This station is now in Jharkhand. From here, he catches a train and moves on. After this, he reaches Europe via Afghanistan - and all that happens despite the impenetrable fortifications of the British rule.

Friends,

This story may seem like a film scene to you. You may be wondering what kind of mettle this person embodied, to display such courage! Actually, this person was none other than our country's great personality, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. We now celebrate the 23rd of January, his birth anniversary, as 'Parakram Diwas'. This saga related to his bravery also gives a glimpse of his Parakram. A few years ago, I went to that very house from where he escaped after dodging the British. That car of his is still present there. That experience was very special for me. Subhash Babu was a visionary. Courage was ingrained in his nature. Not only that, he was also a very efficient administrator. At the age of 27, he became the Chief Executive Officer of the Kolkata Corporation and after that he also took over the responsibility of Mayor. He did many great things as an administrator as well. His efforts related to schools for children, arrangements for milk for poor children and cleanliness are remembered even today. Netaji Subhash also had a deep connection with radio. People eagerly waited to listen to him on Azad Hind Radio, that he had established. His speeches lent a new strength to the fight against foreign rule. News bulletins were broadcast on 'Azad Hind Radio' in English, Hindi, Tamil, Bangla, Marathi, Punjabi, Pashto and Urdu. I salute Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. I urge the youth of the country to read as much as possible about him and constantly derive inspiration from his life.

Friends,

Every time, this program of 'Mann Ki Baat' connects me with the collective efforts of the nation; with the collective willpower of all of you. Every month I receive a large number of your suggestions and ideas and each time I see these ideas, my faith in the resolve of Viksit Bharat rises further. All of you should continue to make efforts to make India the best through your work. That is all for this edition of Mann Ki Baat. We will meet again next month with new stories of achievements, resolves and accomplishments of Indians. Thank you very much.

Namaskar.