Full Speech : Shri Narendra Modi at the BJP National Council Meet, Delhi

Published By : Admin | January 19, 2014 | 15:32 IST

 

Bharat Mata ki Jai..! Bharat Mata ki Jai..!

Most revered Advani Ji, our National President respected Shri Rajnath Singh Ji, Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha respected Sushma Ji, Shri Arun Jaitley Ji, Shri Venkaiah Ji, the Chief Ministers who have made Bharatiya Janata Party proud, Shri Shivraj Ji, Shri Raman Singh Ji and Vasundhara Ji, all the senior leaders of the party present on the dais and all the dedicated party workers of Bharatiya Janata Party who have assembled here from every corner of the nation..!

We are discussing in detail the national concerns, the political concerns and our concerns and are also planning for the organizational programs of Bharatiya Janata Party since last two days. There have been many elections after independence. From the time of Jana Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party, we all have experience of working in the elections, but if we look at all the elections of past, we will find that 2014 elections are completely different. We have not ever seen such plight in the country..! The world’s largest democratic country stands leaderless, strategy less and even its intentions are doubted, the country has never seen such a day, which we are living in today. The ghastly form of corruption that the country has witnessed in the last decade, was never seen before. Farmers committing suicide, the youth astray for employment, women worried for their honour, the children dying of inflation… such plight is unprecedented. And thus the elections of 2014 are not only the elections of change but they are the elections of hope and aspiration for the millions of people..! The elections of 2014 are the elections to realize the dreams of the heights that we were shown by Atal Ji and Advani Ji in the beginning of 21st century and even of surpassing them..!

Friends, National Councils of two major parties have been held at Delhi, if we analyze them then we will clearly see that in the Congress conclave that was held two days back, there was a struggle evident to save the face of party in 2014 elections. How to save their party, how to save Congress, how to keep a crumbling party together, these were their primary subjects. Friends, there they were trying to save the party, whereas here we are struggling to save the nation, this is the basic difference of the 2014 elections..!

Friends, the Congress party workers assembled very hopefully here in Delhi, as they were told that on 17th, the announcement of Congress’s Prime Ministerial candidate will be done. They were very anxious with lots of hope and expectation that they will go back with the name of their Prime Ministerial candidate. As our Arun Jaitley Ji said that Congress party workers from across the nation came here to take their Prime Minister, but went back with three bottles of gas, with three gas cylinders..!

Friends, I find it essential to mention the points that were raised there. They took excuse of democratic practices for not announcing the name of Prime Ministerial candidate, is it the truth..? I thought that the people who discuss night and day subjects like this will definitely discuss this, but no discussion took place, they might have their own respective reasons but the country wants to know that after independence, when the first Prime Minister was chosen, what happened to the democratic tradition at that time..? Entire Congress party unanimously wanted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to be the Prime Minister, what were those democratic traditions because of which even after wish of every member of Congress, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did not let become the Prime Minister. Such people talk of traditions..! I want to know that when on 31st October 1984 Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Rajiv Gandhi was in Kolkata at that time, he came running from Kolkata, went straight to the hospital and within moments Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister. I want to ask the Congress party which is referring to traditions that at that time in 1984, whether any parliamentary party meeting took place..? Did the party elect their Prime Ministerial candidate..? Are there any notes, minutes and agenda of it..? Nothing happened, just a few people gathered and got the oath taking done in haste and you are giving us lessons on traditions..?

After this, elections were held in 2004, UPA had to come in power. Friends, I can say this with full confidence that, in UPA-1, no one in the parliamentary party elected Dr. Manmohan Singh for the post of Prime Minister, as their leader. The parliamentary party of Congress selected Madam Sonia Gandhi as their leader, but later Madam Sonia Ji nominated Dr. Manmohan Singh and he was made to take the position of Prime Minister, and these people talk of parliamentary traditions..! We can’t save ourselves talking like this. Yesterday, respected Sushma Ji, Rajnath Ji, Venkaiah Ji and Arun Ji, all have said this in their own way that they may have their own reasons to run away from elections, but I can see a very humanitarian reason to it, there is definitely a political reasons, but there is also a human element, and that is, when the defeat is certainly clear, when the havoc heading is clearly evident, will any mother be ready to sacrifice her son..? Which mother will sacrifice her son on the political path, at last a mother’s heart decided to save her son..!

Friends, these days the tea vendors are being treated very well, every tea vendor of the country is walking with pride. There are two more reasons for them to run away from elections. First that the culture in which they are brought up, the way they have established themselves as an elite family, friends, the people who live in such lives, their mental setup becomes of a type that they become feudalists, they feel that General elections are important, Congress should win as well, but this is a matter of insult to compete against a tea vendor..! They are feeling ashamed, there is no equality..! They are ‘Naamdar’ (big named) and I am a ‘Kaamdar’ (worker)..! Such big names find it insulting to compete with a worker, they find it to be a shame, how can they fight a worker..? Not only this, sometimes this feeling of conventional discrimination, the venom of racism, the felling of superiority, all these are a matter of concern for the people born in high societies that we are born in such a high family who has been respected for ages and the person in front is one from a backward caste, one whose mother used to work as a domestic help and used to daily chores like cleaning, washing etc, and I should compete against a man who was born in a backward caste and used to sell tea in trains..?

Friends, there are also reasons beyond political periphery. The elections of 2014 are heading and when we meet people in the villages, on the roads, we ask them. On 27th October, when innocents were worshiping their motherland with their blood, the mass that was struggling then, that inspires me to think that in the era of our struggle for freedom, what was the motivation that Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were so excited to sacrifice their lives..? The fire that was there in people’s heart for freedom, that people were ready to dedicate their life behind bars just to attain freedom, these elections of 2014, after so many years of independence, have brought back that rage. People got a chance to immolate their lives for independence, then they had given their life for ‘Swaraj’ (self governance), and today the new generation is raging for ‘Suraaj’ (good governance)..! The youth of the country is feeling that though they did not get a chance to sacrifice their lives for the country’s freedom, but they have got a chance to live for good governance in free India; the inspiration of these elections is this feeling, this is the feel evident in these elections..! That is why the people who have no connection with Bharatiya Janata Party at all, those who have not even been a party worker with BJP, those who are simply untouched from politics; lakhs of such people reach BJP office, write letters to me, write to me on Twitter and Facebook, that give us some responsibility, we want to do something..! This spirit of 2014 elections, the spirit of good governance movement in 2014 elections resembles the spirit of independence movement..!

Friends, more than 60 years have passed since India got independence. We have heard a lot about concern for the poor, about development,; just for a moment keep the map of India in front of your eyes and try to analyze that what was the problem in our strategies, our policies, our actions, because of which when we look at western part of the country we can see slow but steady development taking place, it seems as if something is changing but what is the reason that when we look from the center towards the east, entire area seems to be struggling for development. Why is there such situation, such imbalance..?

Friends, today I want to assure all the countrymen that when you will give Bharatiya Janata Party a chance to serve India in May 2014, then our party’s first priority will be to uplift this lagging part of the country, which is still quite left behind in the journey of development, we first of all want to develop it, so that it at least reaches where western India already is..! How is our Bharat Maa be like if its one arm is strong, while the other is weak, this can’t be our motherland..! Our vision is that whether it is Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, North East, Odisha, entire eastern part, eastern UP… we want to move ahead with a dream of balanced development in all the parts. Friends, if we want to strengthen the nation then we should not see regional aspirations as a threat..! In the last four decades the leaders have taken regional aspirations as if the center has been burdened heavily with them. Friends, regional aspirations can also be a great opportunity for development. They are opportunity and not challenge, because the desire of progressing that every state has developed, if it gets linked with Delhi then I have full faith that we can walk at a much faster pace..!

Friends, our country has a federal structure which can’t be limited to the clauses of constitution, we will have to respect it in letter and spirit, we need to be proud of it. Friends, it is a matter of joy for me that I have been a Chief Minister and now the party has selected me for a new role, but as a Chief Minister I completely understand and realize the importance of federal structure..! I have experience to work under Vajpayee Ji’s supportive government and in the current contradictory atmosphere in Delhi as well, and being experienced myself, I can understand the difficulties of the Chief Ministers very well and understand the importance of federal structure. Bharatiya Janata Party takes interest in empowering the federal structure and we want to strengthen it further..!

Friends, these days there is a big brother attitude. We are the Delhi regime, we give aid to the states, but this does not look good..! We promise to change this situation, there is no younger or big brother, the attitude should be that both the brothers are together taking the country ahead with equal efforts and strength..! Today it is considered that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers will take the nation ahead together. I have a different opinion, I believe that the Prime Minister and all the Chief Ministers should together be a team which should take the country ahead..! Not only this, the Central Council of Ministers and the State Council of Ministers should together form a comprehensive team. The bureaucracy of the state and the center come together, and all these work together as a huge team, if we can create such environment, then we can take our country ahead by bringing these forces together facing all the challenges that lie ahead of us..!

Friends, good governance is a must for the nation, the root cause of all the problems of the country is bad governance, and if we want to get rid of it then we will have to focus on good governance..! Friends, this good governance is not a must for the rich, they can buy the governments, good governance is for the poor, is for the common man, it is for the exploited, suffering and the oppressed..! If there is good governance then the government schools will function properly, the underprivileged kids will have good studies, but if there will not be good government then the poor man’s child will be left there itself, and this is why good governance is needed. Friends, we want to move ahead with good governance, and these days we get to hear many things, we heard such talks for several days now, we have to decide that now we have to believe on the same age-old tape records or we want to trust the track records..! The same old record has already played enough, the country should now decide on the basis of track record that in whose hands do they see the nation safe..!

Friends, only bills will not serve any purpose, now we need political will and the heart to act..! Friends, we have heard the incantations of acts enough now, the country has heard enough of it now, now it wants action..! Friends, they offer doles to win the elections, but the government is still imbalanced..! Friends, the doles are at its place but for urban development, growth is needed, delivery is needed, thus in good governance, we will have to move ahead and include the mantra of development and delivery. Friends, in last ten years, there would have hardly been a day when the Prime Minister has not constituted a committee, a committee for every issue. My fellow citizens, the country is chocking under the burden of committees, we do not want committees but commitment, commitment for the country..!

Friends, our country is such an immense nation, when I look back at the ancient India, I can see its outstanding quality. We say, “Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mit’ti nahi hamari…i.e. there is something in us that we do not lose our existence, ultimately what is that thing..? 

Friends, there are seven colours in the rainbow, if we describe those seven colours, then those seven colours have been glorifying our motherland since centuries. The first colour of the rainbow is - the great heritage of Indian culture, our family system..! This family system has made us, held us and developed us since ages. How can we strengthen that family system, how can our strategies, our policies strengthen this great family system of India..!

The second colour of the rainbow is - our agriculture, our cattle, our villages..! Mahatma Gandhi used to call this country, a country of villages. It is a very vibrant and important colour of our rainbow, if we do not make it shine then whether it is agriculture, livestock breeding, villages, poor, thus it is important that we have the intentions to formulate strategies for their good..!

Friends, the point we can feel proud of, that is the third colour of our rainbow - the women of India, our maternal strength, a portrait of knowledge and austerity..! But where have we taken it today..? If we want to make the rainbow beautiful then our women should be empowered, there education and upbringing should be focused upon, we should emphasize on making them financially self dependent, and we should ensure their safety..!

The fourth colour of the rainbow is - water, land, forests and air..! These are our heritage and reverence, if we want to keep India in the race of development for centuries to come, then we need to nurture the fourth colour of the rainbow, we need to conserve it and make it stronger through modern technology..!

Friends, the fifth colour of the rainbow, which is the most important aspect today - our youth capital, the power of youth of our nation..! How fortunate we are, that India is the youngest nation in the world, 65% of our population is under the age of 35. Friends, the country which has such huge demographic dividend, such a huge strength of the youth, what is that we can’t give to the country..? In the coming days the entire world is going to face a crisis of the workforce, if we had prepared then the youth of India would not only have developed India, but would have had the strength to contribute in the development of the world, we should have worked for it. Friends, a few things are bothering a lot, is the colour of western influence making this colour of the rainbow dull..? When we get news of drugs, narcotics etc, then we get to know that this is spoiling our generations in some areas. Friends, this is a responsibility for us to rise above politics and refrain our youth from drugs and narcotics etc. We will have to develop an atmosphere of zero tolerance, we will have to safeguard our youth by legal systems, by putting a stop at the smuggling of such substances, we will have to fulfill this responsibility and saving our youth capital we will have to make India a world leader using this youth capital only..!

Friends, sixth colour of the rainbow also is a very cherished heritage - our democracy..! The country which has democratic dividend, it can move ahead the world with a great strength..! Thus our democracy is our most prized possession; we can look in the eye of the world because we are a democracy. Friend, we need to think of the measures that can strengthen this colour of democracy. We need to take our democracy from representative system to participative system, we need to move towards public participation from public representation. We are proud that we follow the tradition of a republic, but now it is need of the hour that even the common man feels the ‘Gunatantra’ (quality system) in ‘Ganatantra’ (the republic). We will have to work on filling in that essence through our attitude, by being proud of the democratic ideals..!

Friends, seventh colour of the rainbow is – knowledge, which is extremely important..! Whenever the human race has been in the era of knowledge, India has always leaded it. We are devotees of knowledge. When a mother here blesses her child, she says that son study well and become a great man, every mother just has these same words. This knowledge - the most important colour of our rainbow, we have to work towards strengthening it. Friends, we want to move ahead in order to make these colours more vibrant, to realize their concepts with new ideas..!

Friends, in the Congress conclave, it was aid that Congress party is an idea. We also believe that, there can’t be any party without an idea, there can’t be any movement without an idea, but today the problem is that the matter of concern is not whether the Congress has any vision or not, what is their vision, they are something to think about, but the country knows one thing for sure that the entire Congress party is in worry..! Friends, today I want to say this in front of you that we need to understand this mentality. I want to tell it to all that what is their thinking and what is ours. All the countrymen who are watching me on TV, I will also request them all to give ear to me..!

Their  mindset is - India is a beehive,

Our mindset is that India is our mother..!

Their mindset is - Poverty is a state of mind,

Our mindset is that the poor is Godly..!

Their mindset is - We do not enjoy till we talk of the poor,

Our mindset is that we can’t sleep at nights listening to the sufferings of the poor..!

Their mindset is - Money does not grow on trees,

Our mindset is that money grows in the fields and farms, and is nurtured by the sweat of labours..!

Their mindset is - Divide and Rule,

Our mindset is to unite the society and develop..!

Their mindset is - dynastic regime,

Our mindset is nationalism..!

Their mindset is - Politics is everything,

Our mindset is that national policy is everything..!

Their mindset is - How to save sovereignty,

Our mindset is that how can we save the nation..!

They have just declared that tickets will be given to only those who have Congress in their heart,

Their mindset is - The country will be run by those who have Congress in their heart,

Our mindset is that ticket will be given to those who have India in their heart..!

This is the difference of mentality..! Thus today when the elections of 2014 are heading towards us, when we are standing in election battleground, I want to say this to Indians that you have elected rules, preferred them and have given them the power. Today from this solemn stage of Bharatiya Janata Party, I request all my fellow countrymen that you have given 60 years to rulers, give 60 months to a servant..! The country does not need ‘Shasak’ (ruler), it needs ‘Sevak’ (servant). It is the need of the democracy that everyone gets a chance to serve the nation..!

Friends, today when we are drawing the blueprint of the coming time, then inflation is the biggest challenge in front of us. Poor does not get their daily breads to eat. Children sleep crying of hunger. Friends, can’t we control inflation, isn’t there any solution for it..? What is the situation of the country today..! We do not have any real time data that in the season of harvest, which crop is being grown where and in what quantity. Which grain, which pulse has been grown in what quantity, we have no idea of it. Our first priority will be to develop a real time data mechanism for the farmers and agriculture and the country will get to know in time that this crop has been sowed in this season and after harvest we will know that this much yield has been there of the given crop; this is need of the hour. There is a need of real time data of every area. We can decide on that basis that if there is this much demand, and the yield is this much, so what and how much do we need import, what and how much can we export. What is happening in the nation today..? What is needed in the nation is being exported by another route. The country starves and then the same commodity is imported. Don’t know what business is this..? Thus Friends, it is my appeal to you all and have full faith that prize stabilization fund should be raised in this nation so that the common does not have to bear the blow of inflation, so that the farmer is not exploited and through the prize stabilization fund, the government should ensure that the poor always gets his meals..!

In the same way, it is need of the hour that a national agriculture market is established. Not only this, special courts should be formed for black marketeers and by penalizing the black marketeers within a specific time limit, this trend should be put to an end in our country. If in this way, we take one step at a time then it would be good. Friends, if Atal Ji’s government can control inflation, if Morarjibhai Desai’s government could control inflation then the BJP government in 2014 can also combat inflation, this I would ensure you..!

Friends, the country which has such immense youth capital, but is yearning for employment, what kind of situation is this..! We have to strengthen the Center for Excellence to combat it, we need to emphasize on skill development and that too make it need based..! If a chemical factory is being established then what kind of skill development is needed in it, if an automobile industry is being set up, then how to equip youth with the skills needed for it, if these endeavors are tackled carefully then we can fight well against unemployment..!

Friends, we do not have any planning for human resource. If we ask in the country today that how many science teachers will we require in 2020, then the country will not have an answer to it..! If we start planning for human resource from today itself and start skill development accordingly then as soon as that person will be ready, he will get employment according to his need and skill. Friends, the youth capital of India is its strength, it should be equipped with skill, it should get the chance to work, we can’t have a better asset to increase the growth of India, and we want to nurture it..!

Friends, honorable Advani Ji has started a great battle against black money. It is a commitment of every worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party that we will realize the dream that Advani Ji has seen..! We will prepare whatever legal systems are needed, if we need to constitute a task force of expert in that area, we will do it, but every single penny looted from India that has been deposited in the foreign banks, will be brought back and will be used for the benefit of the poor..!

Friends, today is the era of globalization, and we can’t work as an isolated nation in this era, we will have to make a mark for us and continuously move on in the global competition. If we want to do this, then good governance is as essential as human resource and infrastructure are..! Friends, now India should not delay any further, we need to emphasize on next generation infrastructure, there should be roads, highways but in the coming days we will have to see that how the water grids should be envisaged, how the rivers can be connected, how can the agro infrastructure be strengthened, how the gas grid should be set up, if there is gas grid in the nation then this struggle for cylinders would come to an end..! Why don’t we develop an optical fiber network across the nation for next generation..! India has such huge coastal area, we should make a new image and position for us in the world by developing new infrastructure there..!

Friends, we have such a huge rail network, but it is our misfortune that no attention is paid to railways in the country. The change that Japan’s rail system has undergone, it deserves to be applauded. After all that change occurred because Japan introduced the concept of Bullet trains and got the country raised. China also followed that concept. We have such a long rail network, but we are not thinking about its modernization..! Why can’t there be four universities in the country, where we try to develop the manpower, and conduct the research and innovations to modify the railways..! Friends, this is a matter of mentality. Friends, you can’t imagine that how big a strength railway can be for India. If the present railway network is modernized, then we would be able to give a new pace to the developmental journey of the country..!

Friends, BJP developed a golden quadrilateral and that gave India a place in the world. Friends, it is need of the hour that after 7-8 years when 75 years of Indian independence, and the time of diamond jubilee will come, isn’t it need of the hour that we give a new colour to the vision of Atal Ji and prepare a diamond quadrilateral of bullet train..? And when we observe 75 years of independence, then at least we start the bullet trains in at least four directions of the country, and you will see that the world will see India from a new perspective..!

Friends, I am saying this today that we can’t think of an isolated India in the world today. I am not discussing that who is responsible and who is not, but as a civilized, cultured and humane society, we are not eligible to face the world because of what is going on with women in our society. It is a responsibility of us all that the women should be respected, dignity of women should be our social responsibility and we will have to create that atmosphere, we will have to strengthen our social systems along with the legal system. We have to move ahead on the front of mission ‘Beti bachao, Beti padhao’ i.e. save and educate the girl child. There can’t be a greater stigma than female feticide in the 21st century..! Lives of lakhs of girls/daughters are brought to end in the mother's womb only and it is our onus to save and educate the girl child..!  (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao) We will have to think that how can we move ahead with this mission. Friends, we will also have to change our attitude towards women. The women whom we perceive as home maker, now the time demands that we start seeing the women of our country as nation builder, if we will see her as nation builder then our mentality will change and we will be able to evolve as a new power in front of the nation..!

Friends, it has been a misfortune of our nation that, at the time when urbanization should have been treated as an opportunity, it got considered to be a problem, a challenge and this wrong viewpoint is the reason of all our problems. Friends, urbanization should be taken as an opportunity, its importance for growth should be accepted, and strategies should be formulated accordingly. Why should not there be 100 new cities in our country, modern cities, in accordance with the concept of walk to work, smart cities, health city, sports city and many other such specialized cities as per the need..! Friends we can realize the dream of 100 new cities for this country..!

Friends, as there is need of 100 new cities, in the same way for two adjacent cities, the concept of twin city should be developed..! The way there are New Jersey and New York, we should work on the concept of twin city and we can get a new model for development..! In the same way, a network of satellite city should be developed near the big cities, and it should be taken as an opportunity. You can imagine that when work on such large scale would start then how much iron ore, how much cement factories, how many men will be needed and it will generate employment for many a people. We can get an answer to the concern of the GDP of the country. Friends, after so many years of independence, shouldn’t the poor have house to live in..? Why should he be compelled to live without shelter..? Let us start with a dream of building millions of houses and start a mission bringing the state and central governments together, so that even the poorest man has house to live in and we can progress..!

Friends, the country can’t sustain without water, land, forest, cattle and agriculture..! How the strategies should be encouraged to modernize the agriculture, to increase productivity, to realize the concept of per drop, more crop, to improve the yield with every drop of water, for drip irrigation, for sprinklers, for aligning modern science with agriculture..! We should work on the mode of waste land development which is essential for the agriculture and India on a whole as well..! Friends, today we need to specially focus on agro infrastructure, and along with it, we also need to work on the dream of Atal Ji to connect the rivers and realize it..!

Friends, Amul dairy is running in Gujarat since so many years, can’t there be white revolution in the big states of India..? Can’t the farmer of other states can’t be so powerful that they can meet the demand of milk..? Friends, we will have to move ahead in this direction and ensure that our farmer never has to face the problem. That is why I say that if we want growth in agriculture, then we need to work one third on farming, one third on animal husbandry and one third on tree plantation..! But look at the bad luck of the nation that even the land has not been measured here as yet. We should take an exhaustive account of the lands of the farmers and its measurement immediately through satellite..! If the farmer plants trees in place of the fence that he builds around his farms, then we will be able to avoid the timber import that we need today..! Thus, if we want to refrain from timber import and strengthen our farmer then we will have to focus on it and move ahead in this direction. I have full faith that if we take these measures then we can change the circumstances. In the same way there is power crisis in the nation, and power generation units with the capacity of 20,000 megawatt are closed, because there isn’t any fuel as the coal mines are closed..! Can’t we aspire for ‘Power on Demand’..? If the states take initiative and the center cooperates then every house can have 24 hours electricity, and life of the common man can be changed..!

Friends, if we want to stand tall in front of the world in 21st century then we should not compromise in the field of education at al..! Our primary education needs more attention and along with it, why don’t we develop IIMs, IITs and AIIMS in every state of India..! It is our dream that there should be an IIT, IIM and AIIMS in every state of India and we want to take ahead the effort of taking education to a new level in India..!

Friends, today when a disease strikes someone in a poor or middle class family then that family gets completely ruined, his financial condition gets paralyzed, and thus we need to change the approach..! As in education we need to move on to learning approach from teaching approach, in the same way in health sector instead of addressing sickness, we should start addressing wellness, we care more of diseases and less of health..! Thus things like preventive healthcare and paramedical forces need to be connected and we need to emphasize on finding ways for it. Friends, health insurance has been talked a lot about, now in the 21st century, we need to promise Health Assurance moving from Health Insurance..!

Friends, can’t we fight against poverty..? Will the poor just remain being a subject of slogans..? Friends, I am saying this with full faith that through financial policies, through public participation, by joining small scale, cottage and all these sectors we can eradicate poverty..! To fight against poverty the poor should be empowered..! We have to give them opportunity, and we have got results wherever we have given them opportunities, we have to take this ahead and eliminate poverty..!

Friends, there is one more thing in addition to this that to stand strong before the world, the country also needs branding..! We all know that many years back when we used to purchase any commodity, there used to be a tag on it – ‘Made in Japan’, and we used to buy it seeing that. Friends, isn’t it high time that we should also emphasize on Brand India..? When I am talking of ‘Brand India’, then I talk of ‘5-T’ - Talent, Tradition, Tourism, Trade and Technology..! These are the 5-Ts based on which we can make brand India stand tall in the world markets. India should produce and sell to the world, but for that we need to upgrade the technology, use our talent to its best, and introduce the world with our tradition. Friends, tourism has a great strength. Friends, terrorism divides and tourism unites..! Friends, let us move ahead with technology, trade, tourism and tradition..!

Friends, these days a new terminology has come in front of us, today I want to discuss it. Some people are saying, My Idea of India..! There can be idea of India by 125 crore citizens of India, it can’t be one man’s manor..! It can be yours, it can be theirs, it can be of people sitting here, it can be mine also. Idea of India can’t be restricted. Today I want to present My Idea of India in front of you all..!

My Idea of India : Satyameva Jayate

(Truth alone triumphs)

My Idea of India : Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

(The whole world is one single family)

My Idea of India : Ahimsa Paramo Dharma

(Non-violence is the prime duty)

My Idea of India : Aano Bhadra Kratvo Yantu Vishwata

(Let good thoughts come from everywhere - from all the world)

My Idea of India : Sarva Pantha Samabhāva

(Equality towards all paths)

My Idea of India : My Idea of India -    Ekam Sad Viprā Bahudhā Vadanti

(The Existent is one, the learned express it variously)

My Idea of India : Sarvey Bhavantu Sukhin, Sarvey Santu Niramaya

(May all be happy, May all be healthy)

My Idea of India : Saha Nāvavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Vīrya Karavāvahai

(May we all be protected, nourished and may we work together with great energy)

My Idea of India : Na Tyahan Kāmayē Rājyam, Na Svarga Na Punarbhavam, Kāmayē Dukhtaptānām Praninamārtinashnam(Happiness does not lie in the desire for state, nor in the heaven or reincarnation, it lies in dousing the pain and suffering of all living beings)
My Idea of India : Janani Janmabhoomishcha, Swargādapi Gariyasi

(The mother and the motherland are superior even to heaven)

My Idea of India : Paudho me bhi Parmatma hote hain

(The Gods resides even in the plants)

My Idea of India : Vaishnava jana to tene re kahiye, jey peed parai jaane re

(Devotees of Vishnu are those who feel the pain of others,)

My Idea of India : Vaach kaach man nishchal raakhe, Pardhan nav jhale haath re

(The one who is not tinted and does not touch other’s money)

My Idea of India : Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devta

(Where women are honoured, the divinity blossoms there)

My Idea of India : Naari Tu Narayani

(Woman is a veritable Goddess)

My Idea of India : Daridra Narayan Ki Seva

(Service of the poor)

My Idea of India : Nar karni kare toh Narayan ho jaaye

(Man can become God by his deeds)

Friends, when I am talking of My Ideas of India and when we are going to contest 2014 elections, then will you recite a slogan with me..? Raise both your hands and say after every line with full force, Vote for India..!

For freedom from dynastic rule …..         Vote for India..!

For liberation from nepotism …..              Vote for India..!

For eradication of corruption …..              Vote for India..!

For controlling the inflation …..                Vote for India..!

For freedom from bad governance …..    Vote for India..!

For protecting the country …..                   Vote for India..!

For the safety of people …..                       Vote for India..!

For house to live …..                                     Vote for India..!

For food to eat ..…                                         Vote for India..!

For medicines for the ill …..                       Vote for India..!

For well being of the poor …..                    Vote for India..!

For improvement in education …..           Vote for India..!

For employment to the youth …..             Vote for India..!

For dignity of the women …..                      Vote for India..!

For the welfare of the farmer …..               Vote for India..!

For self-dependent India …..                       Vote for India..!

For a strong India …..                                    Vote for India..!

For a prosperous India …..                          Vote for India..!

For a progressive India …..                         Vote for India..!

For unity of the nation …..                           Vote for India..!

For Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat …..         Vote for India..!

(One India, Great India)

For politics of good governance …..         Vote for India..!

For politics of development …..                Vote for India..!

Friends, this is our dream of ‘Vote for India’..! Friends, we are going back to our areas after taking blessings of Advani Ji, and let us go with the resolution to win, not only we resolve to win, but we also make our colleagues resolved to win..! Friends, let us remember that the victory in elections is conceived in the polling booths..! Polling booths are the mothers of victory, and it is our responsibility to protect the mother..! Thus the polling booths should be protected, they should be a matter of concern, there should be a resolution to win the polling booth and we move ahead with this resolution to build a divine India, and to realize this dream we convert the strength of the nation in votes, with this hope I want to thank our national leadership that they have given this responsibility to a common man like me..! Friends, when a tea vendor contests the elections, then you can say that Modi Ji is a man who has nothing to himself and when you will say that, 10 crore families will give funds for sure. The poorest man will come to fund BJP with enthusiasm, and we decide that we will contest elections by the funding by the common man..! Our workers in Kerala have done this recently, in the 2012 Gujarat elections, the party workers of Gujarat BJP went to people and collected Rs. 5, 10, 100 and we raised funds for elections..! From last three terms we are in power in Gujarat, actually BJP has been in power in Gujarat seven times, but I have got the opportunity four times, and workers have contested the elections with funds raised with common man’s money..! We have to take this tradition ahead, and when son of a poor mother, a tea vendor is contesting, then the country will fund us by all means, I am confident about it. Thanks a lot to everyone..!

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Text of PM’s address at Bharat Gramin Mahotsav
January 04, 2025
Our vision is to empower rural India by transforming villages into vibrant centres of growth and opportunity: PM
We have launched a campaign to guarantee basic amenities in every village: PM
Our government's intentions, policies and decisions are empowering rural India with new energy: PM
Today, India is engaged in achieving prosperity through cooperatives: PM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary ji, esteemed members of NABARD's senior management present here, members of Self-Help Groups, Cooperative Banks, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), all other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2025. The grand celebration of the Gramin Bharat Mahotsav at the beginning of 2025 reflects the progress of Bharat’s developmental journey and establishes a distinct identity. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to NABARD and all other collaborators for organizing this remarkable event.

Friends,

Those of us who are connected to villages, who have grown up in villages, understand the true strength of Bharat’s villages. For someone who resides in a village, the village also resides within them. Those who have lived in a village know how to truly embrace village life. I consider myself fortunate that my childhood was spent in a small town in a modest environment! And later, even when I stepped out of my home, most of my time was spent in the villages and rural areas of the country. As a result, I have experienced the challenges of village life firsthand and have also recognized the immense potential of our villages. Since childhood, I have seen how hard people in villages work, but due to the lack of capital, they don't get adequate opportunities. I have witnessed the incredible diversity of talent and abilities that people in villages possess! Yet, this potential often gets consumed in the basic struggles of life. Sometimes, crops fail due to natural calamities; other times, they have to discard their harvest due to the lack of access to markets. Having seen these hardships so closely, I was inspired to serve the villages and the underprivileged. It instilled in me a resolve to find solutions to their problems.

The work being carried out in the rural areas of the country today is also shaped by the lessons and experiences learned from villages. Since 2014, I have been continuously dedicated, every moment, to serving rural Bharat. Providing a life of dignity to the people in villages is a priority for this government. Our vision is to empower the people of Bharat’s villages, ensuring they have ample opportunities to progress within the village itself, without having to migrate elsewhere. We aim to make village life easier. To achieve this, we have launched a campaign to guarantee basic amenities in every village. Through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, we built toilets in every household. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, we provided millions of families in rural areas with pucca houses. Today, through the Jal Jeevan Mission, clean drinking water is reaching every household in thousands of villages.

Friends,

Today, people are getting access to better healthcare services in over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. With the help of digital technology, we have connected the best doctors and hospitals in the country to villages, leveraging the benefits of telemedicine. Millions of people in rural areas have already availed telemedicine services through the e-Sanjeevani platform. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world doubted how Bharat’s villages would cope with such a crisis. But we ensured that vaccines reached even the last person in every village.

Friends,

To strengthen the rural economy, it is crucial to formulate economic policies that consider every segment of the village population. I am glad that over the past 10 years, our government has created special policies and made decisions for every section of rural society. Just a few days ago, the Cabinet approved the extension of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana for another year. The price of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer is skyrocketing globally. If our farmers had to buy it at international prices, they would be burdened so heavily that they could never recover. But we decided that no matter the global circumstances or the burden on us, we would not let that burden fall on our farmers. Even if we had to increase subsidies on DAP, we did so to stabilize its price for farmers. The intent, policies, and decisions of our government are infusing new energy into rural Bharat. Our goal is to provide maximum economic assistance to rural people so that they can not only farm but also find new opportunities for employment and self-employment in villages. With this vision, around 3 lakh crore rupees has been provided as financial assistance to farmers under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. In the past 10 years, the amount of agricultural loans has increased by 3.5 times. Now, even livestock farmers and fish farmers are being issued Kisan Credit Cards. More than 9,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across the country are also being provided financial assistance. Additionally, we have consistently increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for several crops over the last decade.

Friends,

We have also launched initiatives like the Svamitva Yojana, through which village residents are receiving property ownership papers. Over the past 10 years, several policies have been implemented to promote MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). These businesses have benefited from the Credit Guarantee Scheme, which has directly supported over one crore rural MSMEs. Today, village youth are receiving significant support through schemes like Mudra Yojana, Start-up India, and Stand Up India.

Friends,

Cooperatives have played a significant role in transforming the landscape of villages. Today, Bharat is on the path to achieving prosperity through cooperatives. With this goal in mind, a new Ministry of Cooperation was established in 2021. Nearly 70,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across the country are being computerized to ensure that farmers and villagers receive better prices for their products and to strengthen the rural economy.

Friends,

Apart from agriculture, many people in our villages are engaged in traditional arts and skills. For example, blacksmiths, carpenters, and potters—most of them have lived and worked in villages. These artisans have made a significant contribution to the rural and local economy. However, in the past, they were often neglected. To address this, we have launched the Vishwakarma Yojana to empower them. This scheme provides affordable assistance to help them acquire new skills, create innovative products, and enhance their capabilities. The Vishwakarma Yojana is giving lakhs of traditional artisans across the country opportunities to progress and thrive in their trades.

Friends,

When intentions are noble, the results are equally satisfying. The hard work of the past 10 years is beginning to bear fruit for the nation. Just a few days ago, a major survey was conducted in the country, revealing several significant insights. Compared to 2011, consumption in rural Bharat—or the purchasing power of villagers—has almost tripled. This means that rural people are now spending more on items of their choice. Earlier, the situation was such that villagers had to spend more than 50% of their income on food and basic necessities. For the first time since independence, the expenditure on food in rural areas has fallen below 50%, and spending on other essential items has increased. This indicates that people are now buying things for their comfort, desires, and needs, investing more in improving their quality of life.

Friends,

Another important finding from the survey is that the gap in consumption between urban and rural areas has reduced. In the past, there was a significant difference between the amount spent by an urban family and a rural person, but now, gradually, rural people are catching up with their urban counterparts. Through our continuous efforts, this gap between rural and urban areas is narrowing. Rural Bharat is filled with many success stories that inspire us.

Friends,

When I look at these successes today, I often wonder why these things couldn't have been done during previous governments—why did we have to wait for Modi? For decades after independence, millions of villages across the country were deprived of basic needs. Tell me, where do the highest number of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) live? These communities predominantly live in rural areas. Most of the people from these SC, ST and OBC communities live in villages. The previous governments did not address the needs of these communities adequately. As a result, there was continuous migration from villages, poverty continued to rise, and the gap between rural and urban areas widened. Let me give you another example. You know, what was the perception about our border villages in the past? They were called the last villages of the country. We stopped calling them the last village and instead said, "When the first rays of the sun emerge, they fall on the first village and it is not the last village, and when the sun sets, the last ray also falls on the first village in that direction." So, for us, these villages are not the last—they are the first. We have given them the status of being the "first village." To develop these border villages, we launched the Vibrant Villages Scheme. Today, the development of these villages is increasing the income of their people. This means that those who were never asked about their needs, Modi has honoured them. We have also launched the PM JANMAN Yojana to develop tribal areas. The regions that were deprived of development for decades are now receiving equal rights. In the last 10 years, our government has corrected many of the previous governments' mistakes. Today, we are advancing with the mantra that the development of villages leads to the development of the nation. The result of these efforts is that nearly 25 crore people in the country have come out of poverty in the past 10 years, and the largest number of these are people from our villages.

Just yesterday, a significant study by the State Bank of India was released. The report from the State Bank of India states that in 2012, rural poverty in Bharat was around 26%. But by 2024, rural poverty has reduced drastically to less than 5% from 26%. For decades, some people kept chanting slogans like "eradicate poverty." If you ask those in your village who are 70-80 years old, they will tell you that they have been hearing these slogans of “eradicate poverty” since they were 15-20 years old. Now, these people are in their 80s. But today, the situation has changed. Poverty is genuinely starting to decline in our country.

Friends,

Women have always had a significant role in Bharat’s rural economy, and our government is expanding that role further. Today, we are witnessing women redefine rural life as Bank Sakhi and Bima Sakhi. I once met a Bank Sakhi, and while speaking with all the bank sakhis, one of them told me that she handles daily transactions worth 50-60-70 lakh rupees. When I asked how, she replied, “I leave in the morning with 50 lakh rupees." In my country, a young woman walking around with 50 lakh rupees in her bag is a new face of our country. Across villages, women are creating a revolution through Self-Help Groups. We have made 1.15 crore women ‘lakhpati didis’. And being a ‘lakhpati didi’ doesn't mean just earning 1 lakh rupees once—it means earning more than 1 lakh rupees annually. Our resolve is to make 3 crore women ‘lakhpati didis’. We are also running special schemes for women from Dalit, backward, and tribal communities to empower them.

Friends,

Today, the focus on rural infrastructure in the country is greater than ever before. Most villages in the country are now connected to highways, expressways, and railways. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, nearly 4 lakh kilometres of roads have been constructed in rural areas over the past 10 years. In terms of digital infrastructure, our villages are becoming modern hubs of the 21st century. The people in our villages have disproven those who thought rural residents would not be able to adopt digital technology. I see here, everyone is recording videos on mobile phones—these are all villagers. Today, over 94% of rural households in the country have access to telephones or mobile phones. Banking services and world-class technologies like UPI are now available in villages. Before 2014, our country had fewer than 1 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs). Today, the number has increased to over 5 lakh. These centres provide access to dozens of government services online. This infrastructure is driving progress in villages, creating job opportunities, and making rural areas an integral part of the country's growth.

Friends,

Here, we have the senior management of NABARD. You have played a crucial role in the success of many initiatives, from Self-Help Groups to Kisan Credit Cards. Going forward, your role will continue to be vital in fulfilling the country's objectives. You are all familiar with the strength of FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations). With the establishment of FPOs, our farmers are now getting better prices for their crops. We should think about creating more FPOs and move forward in that direction. Currently, milk production is providing the highest returns to farmers. We need to work towards creating 5-6 more cooperatives like Amul, which have a presence across the country. The nation is now advancing Natural Farming as a mission. We need to involve more farmers in this initiative to promote Natural Farming. We should also connect our Self-Help Groups with small and micro industries (MSMEs). The products made by them are in demand all over the country, but we need to focus on their branding and marketing. Additionally, we must pay attention to the quality, packaging, and branding of our GI products.

Friends,

We need to work on ways to diversify rural income. How can we make irrigation affordable in villages? We must focus on expanding micro-irrigation systems and making the mantra "One Drop More Crop" a reality. We also need to create more simple rural enterprises in rural areas. Additionally, we must ensure that the opportunities from Natural Farming benefit the rural economy as much as possible. I urge you to work towards these goals in a time-bound manner.

Friends,

The Amrit Sarovars built in your village must be taken care of by the entire community collectively. At the same time, there is a national campaign called "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (One Tree for Mother). It is important to inspire every individual in the village to be a part of this initiative, ensuring that as many trees as possible are planted in our village. Another crucial aspect is that the identity of our village is tied to its unity, harmony, and love. Unfortunately, there are individuals who are trying to spread poison in society in the name of caste, attempting to weaken our social fabric. We must thwart these conspiracies and preserve and strengthen our ‘Sanjhi Virasat’ (shared heritage) and ‘Sanjhi Sanskriti’ (shared culture).

Brothers and sisters,

Our resolutions must reach every village, and this celebration of Gramin Bharat should spread across all villages. We need to work together continuously to ensure that our villages become stronger and more empowered. I am confident that the commitment to the development of villages will lead to the fulfilment of the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). Today, I had the opportunity to visit the stall displaying GI-tagged products brought by villagers. Through this event, I urge the people of Delhi—who may not have the chance to visit villages regularly—to take at least one visit and see the potential of my village. There is so much diversity and potential in our villages, and I am sure those who have never visited a village will be amazed at what they see. This work has been done by you, and you all deserve congratulations. I extend my heartfelt wishes to each one of you and thank you all very much.