The affection of people energizes me to work dedicatedly towards welfare of all: PM Modi
In the last four years, an environment of hope and trust has been developed among people: PM Modi
The nation is moving from anarchy to good governance, from black money (Kala Dhan) to Jan Dhan: PM Modi
The President, Vice President and the Pradhan Sevak have had humble beginnings and that is why the NDA Government is committed to serving the people of the country: PM
BJP is now the single largest party having its presence from Panchayat to Parliament: PM Modi
With Saaf Niyat and Sahi Vikas, the work being done by the NDA Government is enhancing India’s stand on the world stage: PM Modi
NDA Government is about unwavering commitment, not confusion: PM Modi
What the Congress gave to the country in the last 48 years is corruption and scams: PM Modi
Our stress is on creating next generation infrastructure and hence we are focussing on initiatives like Bharatmala and Sagarmala: PM Modi
From North-East to Jammu and Kashmir, our Government is devoted to build Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat: PM Modi
Odisha government misled farmers of the state on Mahanadi waters; BJP is committed to address their problems: PM Modi

Upon completion of four years of the NDA Government today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge public meeting in Odisha’s Cuttack. Paying tributes to Lord Jagannanth, PM Modi said that Cuttack was the land associated with great freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Prime Minister Modi said that it was the affection of people that energized him to work dedicatedly towards welfare of all. He stated that in the last four years, an environment of hope and trust was developed among people and the nation was moving from anarchy to good governance, from black money (Kaala Dhan) to Jan Dhan.

Terming that betterment of the poor was the Government’s biggest priority, the Prime Minister said, “The President, Vice President and the Pradhan Sevak have had humble beginnings and that is why the NDA Government is committed to serving the people of the country.”


He remarked that the BJP had emerged as the single largest party having its presence from Panchayat to Parliament. With Saaf Niyat and Sahi Vikas, he said that the work being done by the NDA Government was enhancing India’s stand on the world stage and the country was being applauded world over.

Shri Modi said that in the last four years, the country had moved from being in a state of ‘confusion’ towards ‘commitment’.  In this context, he shed light on several decisions of the government like surgical strikes across the LoC, resolution of the One Rank One Pension for ex-servicemen, steps to fight corruption and enhance transparency in the governance system.

Taking a dig at the Congress and other non-NDA ally parties, he said that steps undertaken by the NDA Government at Centre to curb corruption and formalise the country’s economy in the last 48 months had forced them to come together as they could not rid the country of corruption and cobweb of tax structure in 48 years. “What the Congress gave to the country in the last 48 years is corruption and scams. That is why it is necessary to compare NDA’s 48 months to Congress’ 48 years of misrule”, PM Modi added further.

Shri Modi assailed the Congress for only thinking about its welfare and not the people of the country. He added, “For ten years, the country had a Prime Minister who was commanded by a remote control, ministers were directed through emails.”

For as long as seventy years, the PM exclaimed that steps or initiatives which would have empowered the poor were reserved only for those who were well-off. “Be it sanitation measures or opening up bank accounts, the poor and marginalised people never benefitted in the Congress’ seventy years”, the PM said. In this context, he highlighted the matter of Paradip Oil Refinery in Odisha, which was envisioned under Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership, but the subsequent Congress government stalled the project. “It was in 2014, that the NDA Government at Centre initiated work on the project”, he said.

Prime Minister Modi expounded on the work being done by the NDA Government at Centre in ensuring electricity in all 18,500 odd villages, construction of toilets, proving cooking gas connections under Ujjwala Yojana, repealing over 1400 laws, development of the ports, implementation of the GST and launch of the first phase of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. He said that rapid strides were being made by the Centre to enhance the lives of poor and middle class. “For us good politics means development and good governance”, he said.

Shri Modi said that the Government’s stress was on creating next generation infrastructure and hence, it was focussing on initiatives like Bharatmala and Sagarmala. He also highlighted Government’s commitment to develop smart cities, better connectivity through highways, railways, subways, waterways and i-ways. The PM also spoke at length about the International Solar Alliance and how through the alliance India was leading the entire world in mitigating climate change. “From North-East to Jammu and Kashmir, our Government is devoted to build Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat”, he said.

PM Modi alleged that the Odisha government misled farmers of the state on Mahanadi waters. He said that the BJP was committed to address their problems and efforts were being undertaken to improve irrigation facilities.

Shri Modi stated that with ‘Saaf Nityat’ and ‘Sahi Vikas’, the country would continue to march on the path of development.

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Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
The Indian diaspora in Guyana has made an impact across many sectors and contributed to Guyana’s development: PM
You can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian: PM
Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply,Culture, cuisine and cricket: PM
India's journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability: PM
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive: PM
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots,They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values: PM

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.