Namaskar!
Governor of Maharashtra C.P. Radhakrishnan ji, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji, Shri Ajit Pawar ji, all other dignitaries, and my dear brothers and sisters of Maharashtra...
I greet all the Shiv-loving brothers and sisters of Maharashtra.
Today, Maharashtra is getting the gift of 10 new medical colleges. Along with this, two important infrastructure projects have been initiated: the modernization and expansion of Nagpur Airport and the construction of a new terminal building at Shirdi Airport. I congratulate the people of Maharashtra on these development projects. Just last week, I visited Thane and Mumbai, where I had the opportunity to inaugurate projects worth 30,000 crore rupees, including the metro line project. Prior to that, thousands of crores worth of development projects were launched in different districts. The metro is being expanded in several cities. Some airports are being upgraded, and road and highway projects are progressing rapidly. Projects related to infrastructure, solar energy, and textile parks have been launched. New initiatives have been taken in the interest of farmers and livestock keepers. The foundation of Vadhavan Port, the country's largest container port, has been laid in Maharashtra. Never in the history of Maharashtra has there been such rapid and large-scale development across various sectors. Yes, it’s a different matter that during Congress rule, corruption occurred at the same fast pace and scale across various sectors.
Brothers and sisters,
A few days ago, we accorded the status of ‘Classical Language’ to the Marathi language. When a language receives its due respect, it’s not just words, but an entire generation that gains new expressions. A decades-old dream of crores of Marathi people has been fulfilled. People from across Maharashtra have celebrated this, and today I am receiving messages of joy from villages across Maharashtra. In these messages, people are thanking me for granting classical language status to Marathi. However, I want to clarify that I did not do this alone; it was accomplished with your blessings. Every development effort in Maharashtra is being realized with the blessings of great figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and Savitribai Phule.
Friends,
Just yesterday, the election results from Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir came in. Haryana has shown the nation what the mood is! Winning for the third time in a row after completing two terms is historic. The Congress’s entire ecosystem, including the Urban Naxal gang, was busy misleading the public, but all of Congress’s conspiracies were crushed. They tried to spread lies among Dalits, but the Dalit community sensed their dangerous intentions. Dalits realized that the Congress wanted to snatch their reservation and distribute it for their own vote bank. Today, the Dalit community in Haryana has given the BJP record support. Haryana’s OBCs are standing with the BJP, recognizing its development work. The Congress tried to instigate the farmers, but farmers know who has given them MSP for their crops. Haryana’s farmers are happy with BJP’s welfare schemes. The Congress targeted the youth, attempting to mislead them in various ways. However, Haryana’s young men, women, and daughters trust BJP for their bright future. The Congress used every tactic, but the people of Haryana have shown that they will no longer fall prey to Congress and Urban Naxal conspiracies.
Friends,
Congress has always operated on the ‘divide and rule’ formula. Time and again, Congress has proven to be an irresponsible party. It continues to create new narratives to divide the country. Congress never stops misleading voters. Their formula is clear: keep Muslims in fear, convert them into a vote bank, and strengthen that vote bank. No Congress leader has ever spoken about the caste divisions among Muslims. As soon as the issue of Muslim castes comes up, Congress leaders keep their mouths shut. The moment there’s a discussion on Hindu society, Congress immediately brings up caste. Congress’s strategy is to pit one caste of Hindus against another. They know that the more Hindus are divided, the more they benefit. The Congress wants to keep the Hindu society in turmoil for its political gain. This formula is applied wherever elections are held in Bharat. Congress uses every possible means to spread poison in society to secure its vote bank. Congress is fully engaged in communal and caste-based politics. Dividing Hindu society to ensure electoral success has become the foundation of Congress’s politics. The Congress is suppressing the ethos of ‘Sarva Jan Hitaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaya’ (welfare of all), as well as the Sanatan tradition. Having ruled the country for so many years, the Congress is now so desperate to return to power that it indulges in hate politics every day. Even the senior leaders of Congress are helpless and dismayed at the state of their party. Congress is on the verge of becoming the largest factory of hate. Mahatma Gandhi realized this right after independence, which is why he said Congress should be dissolved. Congress hasn’t dissolved, but today it’s bent on destroying the country. Therefore, we must stay cautious and alert.
Friends,
I firmly believe that the people of Maharashtra will foil every attempt to divide society. Keeping national development as their top priority, the people of Maharashtra must unite and vote for BJP and the Mahayuti alliance.
After BJP has won Haryana, now we must secure an even bigger victory in Maharashtra.
Friends,
In the last 10 years, we have initiated a grand mission to build modern infrastructure for the country’s development. Today, we are not just constructing buildings; we are laying the foundation for a healthy and prosperous Maharashtra. The simultaneous inauguration of 10 new government medical colleges is not just about establishing new institutions but is the ‘maha yagna’ about improving the lives of lakhs of people. These medical colleges in Thane-Ambernath, Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Buldhana, Hingoli, Washim, Amravati, Bhandara, and Gadchiroli will serve lakhs of families in these districts and nearby areas. As a result, 900 new medical seats are being added in Maharashtra. Now, the number of medical seats in Maharashtra will reach approximately 6,000. The nation has pledged to add 75,000 new seats in the medical field from the Red Fort this year. Today’s event is also a major step in that direction.
Friends,
We have made medical education more accessible. This has opened new doors of opportunities for the youth of Maharashtra. It is a priority of our government that more and more children from poor and middle-class families become doctors and fulfil their dreams. At one time, the lack of textbooks in the mother tongue for such studies was a major challenge. Keeping in mind the interests of the youth of Maharashtra, we have removed this disparity as well. Now, our youth in Maharashtra can study medicine in the Marathi language. By studying in Marathi, they will be able to achieve their dream of becoming doctors.
Friends,
Our efforts to simplify life are a major tool in the fight against poverty. Parties like Congress have used poverty as fuel for their politics. That’s why they kept the poor in poverty. But within the last decade, our government has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty. The transformation of healthcare services in the country has been a major factor in this. Today, every poor person has an Ayushman Card for free treatment. Now, all citizens above 70 years of age are also getting free healthcare. Essential medicines are available at very low prices at Jan Aushadhi Centres. Stents have become 80-85% cheaper for heart patients. We have reduced the prices of necessary medicines for cancer treatment as well. The increase in the number of government medical colleges and hospitals has made treatment more affordable. Today, even the poorest citizen has a strong social security cover, thanks to the Modi government.
Friends,
The world only trusts a country when its youth are full of confidence. Today, the confidence of the youth of Bharat is telling the new story of a bright future for the country. Major nations are now seeing Bharat as an important hub of human resources. Our youth have immense opportunities in every field, from education and healthcare to software, all around the world. That’s why we are making our youth skilled according to global standards. Today, we are starting initiatives like the Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Maharashtra. We have also inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills in Mumbai today. Here, youth will receive future-oriented training. Their talent will be developed according to market demands. Our government has also started giving paid internships to the youth. This is the first time in Bharat’s history that such an initiative has been taken. Now, the youth will receive 5,000 rupees as an internship allowance. I am happy that thousands of companies are registering to support this initiative and provide internships to the youth. This effort will strengthen the foundation of the youth, provide them with new experiences, and open doors to new opportunities.
Brothers and sisters,
The efforts being made by Bharat for its youth are continuously yielding results. Today, our educational institutions are standing alongside the top institutes in the world. Just yesterday, the World University Rankings were announced. According to this ranking, the quality of higher education and research for the youth in Bharat is improving.
Friends,
Today, the world is focused on Bharat. Bharat has become the fifth-largest economy in the world. The future of the global economy is now connected to Bharat! This economic progress of Bharat is bringing new opportunities. Areas that were neglected for decades by Congress are now becoming sources of immense opportunities. Tourism, for example, is one such area. Maharashtra is home to invaluable heritage! It has beautiful natural sites and spiritual centres. A multi-billion-dollar economy could have been developed around these sites. But these opportunities were not utilized as they should have been. Congress had no interest in ‘Vikas’ (development) or ‘Virasat’ (heritage). There is both development and preservation of heritage in our government. We are building a bright future while drawing inspiration from our rich past. That’s why today we have laid the foundation stone for the new terminal building at Shirdi Airport, modernized Nagpur Airport, and many other continuous development works are happening across Maharashtra. The new terminal at Shirdi Airport will bring great convenience to the devotees of Sai Baba. A large number of devotees from all over the country and abroad will be able to visit. A few days ago, I also inaugurated the upgraded Solapur Airport. When devotees visit one place, they will certainly also visit nearby places like Shani Shingnapur, Tulja Bhavani, and the Kailash Temple. This will boost Maharashtra’s tourism economy and increase job opportunities.
Friends,
Every decision and policy of our government is dedicated to just one goal— ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India)! And for this, our vision is the welfare of the poor, farmers, youth, and women. Therefore, every development project is dedicated to the villages, the poor, the labourers, and the farmers. The separate cargo complex being built at Shirdi Airport will be a great help to farmers. Various agricultural products will be shipped to the rest of the country and abroad through this complex. Farmers in Shirdi, Lasalgaon, Ahilyanagar, and Nashik will benefit. These farmers will easily be able to take their products, like onions, grapes, drumsticks, guavas, and pomegranates, to larger markets.
Brothers and sisters,
Our government is continuously taking necessary steps in the interest of farmers. We have removed the minimum export price on basmati rice. The ban on non-basmati rice exports has also been lifted. Export duty on parboiled rice has been halved. To increase the profits of farmers in Maharashtra, we have halved the export tax on onions as well. We have decided to impose a 20% tax on the import of edible oils. We have also significantly increased the customs duty on refined soybean, sunflower, and palm oils. Who will benefit from this? It will benefit our country's farmers. They will get better prices for crops like mustard, soybeans, and sunflowers. The support the government is giving to the textile industry is also benefiting the cotton farmers of Maharashtra greatly.
Friends,
One thing you must always remember: the Maha-Aghadi wants to weaken Maharashtra to gain power, while the Mahayuti’s resolve is to make Maharashtra strong. I am happy that today Maharashtra is once again moving forward to lead the country’s progress. Once again, I extend my congratulations to the people of Maharashtra on all these development initiatives.
Thank you very much!
