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पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी यांनी आज नवी दिल्लीत राष्ट्रपती भवन सांस्कृतिक केंद्रात नीति आयोगाच्या प्रशासकीय परिषदेच्या चौथ्या बैठकीत समारोप प्रसंगी भाषण केले.
विविध मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी केलेल्या सूचना आणि विधायक चर्चेचे स्वागत करुन पंतप्रधानांनी निर्णय प्रक्रियेत या सूचनांवर गंभीरपणे विचार केला जाईल, असे आश्वासन दिले. त्यांनी नीति आयोगाला राज्यांबरोबर विविध मुद्यांवर येत्या 3 महिन्यात पाठपुरावा करण्याच्या सूचना दिल्या.
नीति आयोगाने निवड केलेल्या 115 महत्वाकांक्षी जिल्ह्यांच्या धर्तीवर राज्ये देखिल राज्यातील एकूण तालुक्यांच्या 20 टक्के तालुके महत्वाकांक्षी तालुके म्हणून निवडू शकतात.
मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी उपस्थित केलेल्या पर्यावरणाच्या मुद्यावर बोलतांना पंतप्रधानांनी सर्व राज्यांना सरकारी इमारती, अधिकृत निवासस्थाने आणि पथदिव्यांच्या जागी एलईडी दिवे वापरण्याचे आवाहन केले. निर्धारित मुदतीत याची अंमलबजावणी करण्याची सूचना त्यांनी केली.
जलसंवर्धन, कृषी, मनरेगा यासारख्या विविध मुद्यांवर मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी केलेल्या अनेक सूचनांची त्यांनी प्रशंसा केली.
त्यांनी मध्यप्रदेश, बिहार, सिक्कीम, गुजरात, उत्तरप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल आणि आंध्र प्रदेशच्या मुख्यमंत्र्यांना पेरणीपूर्व आणि पिक कापणीनंतरच्या टप्प्यांसह कृषी आणि मनरेगा या दोन विषयांवर समन्वित धोरणाबाबत शिफारशी करण्यासाठी एकत्रितपणे काम करण्याचे आवाहन केले.
समाजातील शेवटच्या घटकापर्यंत सरकारी योजनांचे लाभ पोहोचणे महत्वाचे आहे, असे पंतप्रधान म्हणाले. त्याचप्रमाणे सामाजिक न्याय हा देखिल महत्वाचा प्रशासकीय उद्देश असल्याचे त्यांनी सांगितले. यासाठी समन्वय आणि सातत्यपूर्ण देखरेख आवश्यक आहे, असे ते म्हणाले.
115 महत्वाकांक्षी जिल्ह्यातील 45 हजार अतिरिक्त गावांपर्यंत 7 महत्वपूर्ण योजनांची व्याप्ती 15 ऑगस्ट 2018 पर्यंत पूर्ण करण्यासाठी केंद्र सरकार कटिबध्द असल्याचा पुनरुच्चार त्यांनी केला.
‘सबका साथ, सबका विकास’ या केंद्र सरकारच्या मार्गदर्शक तत्वाची सविस्तर माहिती देतांना पंतप्रधान म्हणाले की, केंद्र सरकारच्या योजना ठराविक लोकांपर्यंत किंवा ठराविक प्रदेशांपर्यंत मर्यादित नाहीत, तर कुठल्याही भेदभावाशिवाय संतुलित मार्गाने सर्वांपर्यंत पोहोचत आहेत.
देशातील सर्व गावांचे आता विद्युतीकरण झाले असून सौभाग्य योजनेअंतर्गत 4 कोटी घरांना आता वीज जोडणी पुरवली जात आहे. गेल्या 4 वर्षात ग्रामीण स्वच्छतेची व्याप्ती 40 टक्क्यांवरुन 85 टक्क्यांवर गेली आहे, असे ते म्हणाले. जनधन योजनेच्या अंमलबजावणीनंतर देशातील सर्व जनता बँकिंग व्यवस्थेशी जोडली जाईल, असे ते म्हणाले. त्याचप्रमाणे उज्ज्वला योजनेमुळे स्वयंपाकाचा गॅस पुरवला जात आहे आणि मिशन इंद्रधनुषमुळे सार्वत्रिक लसीकरण केले जात आहे. 2022 पर्यंत सर्वांना घरे पुरवण्याच्या दिशेने केंद्र सरकार काम करत आहे, असे ते म्हणाले.
गरीबांच्या कल्याणासाठी या योजनांची 100 टक्के अंमलबजावणीचे उद्दिष्ट साध्य करण्यासाठी सर्व मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी प्रयत्न करावे, असे आवाहन त्यांनी केले.
या कल्याणकारी योजनांच्या अंमलबजावणीमुळे लोकांच्या जीवनात, वर्तणुकीत बदल होत आहे, असे ते म्हणाले. यासंदर्भात त्यांनी युरीयाचे निमकोटींग, उज्ज्वला योजना, जनधन खाती आणि रुपे डेबिट कार्ड यांचा उल्लेख केला. या योजनांमुळे जनतेच्या जीवनात कशाप्रकारे सुधारणा होत आहे, हे त्यांनी स्पष्ट केले.
स्वच्छ भारत अभियानाची जगभरात चर्चा होत असल्याचे पंतप्रधान म्हणाले. गेल्या चार वर्षात 7.70 कोटी शौचालये बांधण्यात आली. 2 ऑक्टोबर 2019 पर्यंत महात्मा गांधींच्या 150व्या जयंती दिनी 100 टक्के स्वच्छतेचे उद्दिष्ट गाठण्यासाठी काम करण्याचे आवाहन त्यांनी सर्व उपस्थितांना केले.
जलसंवर्धन आणि जलव्यवस्थापन यावर युध्द पातळीवर प्रयत्न करण्याचे आवाहन पंतप्रधानांनी केले.
अर्थव्यवस्थेबाबत बोलतांना पंतप्रधान म्हणाले की भारत लवकरच 5 ट्रिलीयन डॉलर्सची अर्थव्यवस्था बनेल, अशी आशा जगभरात व्यक्त केली जात आहे. खर्चातील सुधारणा आणि तरतुदींसाठी वित्त आयोगाला नवीन सूचना देण्यासाठी त्यांनी राज्यांना प्रोत्साहन दिले.
राज्य देखिल आता गुंतवणुकदार परिषदा आयोजित करत असल्याबद्दल त्यांनी आनंद व्यक्त केला. राज्यांनी निर्यातीवर लक्ष केंद्रीत करावे, अशी सूचना त्यांनी केली. व्यापार सुलभतेला चालना देण्यासाठी त्यांनी राज्यांना प्रोत्साहन दिले. व्यवसाय सुलभतेला अधिक चालना देण्यासाठी नीति आयोगाने सर्व राज्यांबरोबर एक बैठक बोलवावी, असे ते म्हणाले. सामान्य माणसाचे जगणे सुलभ करणे ही देखिल काळाची गरज आहे आणि राज्यांनी यासंदर्भात पुढाकार घ्यावा असे ते म्हणाले.
शेतीसंदर्भात बोलतांना पंतप्रधान म्हणाले की, भारत या क्षेत्रातील कंपन्यांची गुंतवणूक खूप कमी आहे. गोदामे, वाहतूक, मूल्यवर्धन आणि अन्न प्रक्रिया यासारख्या क्षेत्रात कंपन्यांच्या गुंतवणुकीला प्रोत्साहन देण्यासाठी राज्यांनी धोरणे आखावीत असे ते म्हणाले.
यशस्वी लिलाव झालेल्या खाण क्षेत्रांनी लवकरात लवकर उत्पादनाला सुरुवात करावी, असे पंतप्रधान म्हणाले. यासंदर्भात राज्यांनी पावले उचलावीत असे आवाहन त्यांनी केले. जिल्हा खनिज प्रतिष्ठान याबाबत गरीब आणि आदिवासींना मोठी मदत करेल, असे ते म्हणाले.
आर्थिक बचत आणि संसाधनांचा उत्तम वापर या बाबी लक्षात घेऊन, लोकसभा आणि विधानसभेच्या निवडणुका एकाच वेळी घेण्याबात व्यापक चर्चा आणि वादविवाद करण्याचे आवाहन पंतप्रधानांनी केले.
शेवटी पंतप्रधनांनी सर्व मुख्यमंत्र्यांचे त्यांनी केलेल्या सूचनांबद्दल आभार मानले.
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.
