Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Madurai, Tamil Nadu today. Addressing a huge crowd of supporters, Prime Minister Modi described the the transformative impact of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in the country and in Tamil Nadu saying, “Swachh Bharat has become a people’s movement. Rural sanitation coverage has increased from 38 percent in 2014 to 98 percent today. We have built more than nine crore toilets in this period, of which 47 lakh have been built in Tamil Nadu alone.”
Describing the impetus given to infrastructure under his government, PM Modi asserted that the infrastructure being developed today is done keeping in mind the needs of a modern, growing, 21st century India, by enhancing connectivity and ease of living for the people.
Talking about Tamil Nadu in this regard, he added, “Everyone is aware of the link between Rameshwaram and Pemban, which was snapped in 1964. For the last 50 years, there has been a demand to re-establish it. We have now started work on this project.” He further highlighted Tamil Nadu’s significance in India’s industrial development and said, “Tamil Nadu has been one of India’s most progressive industrial states. It is now one of the leading states in our ‘Make in India’ initiative. Our aim is to make Tamil Nadu the preferred hub for aerospace and defence industries in India.”
Highlighting his government’s focus on providing equitable and inclusive employment opportunities to everyone in society, PM Modi said, “The Union Government is committed to providing employment opportunities education to all segments of our society. It was with this spirit that we decided to provide 10% reservation in education and governmemt employment to the poor among the general category. It is unfortunate that an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust is being created by a few people in TN, only to serve their selfish interests.”
Concluding his address to the large crowd, Prime Minister Modi lashed out at the coalition of Opposition parties ‘Mahagathbandhan’ and said, “All those who were used to making deals in government contracts, defence deals and welfare schemes, are all facing the music now. That is why, they are all coming together. According to them, keeping all other considerations aside, they must unite to remove this watch-man.” However, he urged his supporters in TN to reject this alliance of negativity and selfishness and said that Narendra Modi will always stand firmly with the poor.
I begin by paying my respects to the ancient city of Madurai.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
For thousands of years, Madurai has been the seat of the Tamil Sangam.
It is an important centre of pilgrimage.
The Meenakshi Temple is a symbol of the richness of our heritage: PM https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
Here in Madurai, I also pay homage to former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa ji: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Apart from direct interventions in healthcare, the Union Government has also focused on preventive healthcare: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Swachh Bharat has become a people’s movement.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Rural sanitation has increased from 38 percent in 2014, to 98 percent today.
We have built more than nine crore toilets in this period, out of which 47 lakh have been made in Tamil Nadu alone: PM https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
We are working to improve “ease of living” for the poor and middle class.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Our aim is to ensure that the fruits of development reach all sections of society: PM @narendramodi
Basic infrastructure is being developed keeping in mind the needs of the 21st century.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
We are focusing on various forms of connectivity, including highways, waterways, airways, and i-ways: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
You are all aware of the link between Rameshwaram and Pemban, which was snapped in 1964.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
For the last 50 years, there has been a demand to re-establish it.
We have begun work on this project: PM @narendramodi
Soon, Dhanushkodi will be connected to Rameshwaram and Pamban.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Similarly, a new Pamban bridge is being constructed to facilitate people in the region: PM @narendramodi
Better infrastructure and better connectivity are essential for employment creation.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Tamil Nadu has been one of India’s most progressive industrial States.
It is now one of the leading States in our @makeinindia initiative: PM @narendramodi
Our aim is to make Tamil Nadu the preferred hub for aerospace and defence industries in India: PM @narendramodi in Madurai https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
The Union Government is focusing on port-led development.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
Tuticorin Port, is an icon and an engine for the economic growth of Tamil Nadu.
Recently, the first container main-line vessel was flagged off from this port: PM @narendramodi
The credit for developing the first high speed train T-18, also goes to Tamil Nadu.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
In times to come, T-18 will provide high speed connectivity across the country: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX
It has also excited interest among several other countries.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
When production begins on a large scale, it shall provide a large number of employment opportunities for the youth of Tamil Nadu: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/SOaElXQ5cn
The Union Government is committed to providing employment opportunities and education to all segments of our society.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
It was with this spirit that recently, we decided to provide 10% reservation in education and government employment, to the poor among the General Category: PM
This decision has been taken in a way, that it doesn't impact Dalits, Tribals & OBCs, who are already availing benefits of reservation.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
It is unfortunate that an atmosphere of suspicion & mistrust is being created by a few people in TN, to serve their own selfish interests: PM
I want to talk to you about one more issue.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
This is relating to the Devendra Kula Vellalar community and ensuring justice as well as opportunities for them.
The issue came to me and I'm fully sensitive towards their demands: PM @narendramodi in Madurai
Opportunity for all cannot be guaranteed as long as there are artificial concepts of high and low, or “ours” and “theirs” in society.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
The Union Government is taking effective steps to rid the country of corruption and nepotism: PM @narendramodi
Any person who has cheated or looted the country, shall be brought to justice.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
This is regardless of whether he is in India, or abroad.
The Union Government’s effort against corruption has created a stir from Chennai to Delhi: PM @narendramodi
All those who were used to making deals in Government contracts, Defence deals, and welfare schemes, are now facing the music.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
That is why, they are all coming together.
They say, that keeping aside all other considerations, they must unite to remove this watch-man: PM
How-ever big a group they form, out of fear and negativity, Narendra Modi will stand firmly with the poor.
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 27, 2019
And I call upon the people of Madurai, and the youth of Tamil Nadu, to reject these forces of negativity: Prime Minister https://t.co/SOaElY7GAX