Published By : Admin | December 5, 2012 | 22:05 IST
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Shri Modi addresses a large rally in Rajkot
Congress will be uprooted in the upcoming elections and reason behind their historic defeat will be that Congress is only bothered about the chair: Shri Modi
Elections between hardwork, sweat of BJP versus the money power of the Congress: Shri Modi
CM attacks the arrogance of the Congress party.
Congress has misused and politicized all constitutional bodies: Shri Modi
Shri Modi attacks Mrs. Sonia Gandhi for failing to speak a word on price rise when she came to Rajkot a few months ago
Congress giving nation to foreigners. Out of 18, 14 parties opposed FDI in the Lok Sabha but due to sword of CBI some parties did not vote and Congress won through back door: Shri Modi
On the evening of Wednesday 5th December 2012 Shri Narendra Modi spoke at a massive public meeting in Rajkot. He expressed confidence that the Congress will be uprooted in the upcoming elections and pointed out that the reason for their historic defeat will be that it is only bothered about the chair and it is least bothered about the people or how the people see them.Shri Modi affirmed that this is an election between the hardwork, sweat of the BJP vs the money power of the Congress and it to be seen who emerges victorious. He spoke about the various development initiatives in Gujarat over the last 11 years.
Attacking the arrogance of the Congress Party, Shri Modi stated that Salman Khurshid was promoted just when news of discrepancies related to his trust came out. The Chief Minister recalled that specially abled had protested outside the PM’s residence, police used force on the protestors but such is the arrogance of the Congress that they promoted the minister to a better portfolio. Similarly, the minister who was the power minister when 19 states and 60 crore people of India were in darkness was promoted as the home minister of the nation. Also, a minister who was forced to quit on corruption charges was projected as the party’s CM candidate in Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that there is no point in expecting the Congress to change. He made a direct accusation at the Congress for misusing and politicizing all constitutional bodies. “These Gujarat elections are being fought by CBI, Congress is only putting up candidates, he said.”
Shri Modi came down heavily on the Congress over the issue of FDI in retail. He said that now even salt, spices etc. would be sold by foreigners and asked what will happen to the poor. “Congress is giving the nation into the hands of the foreigners”, Shri Modi affirmed. On the vote of FDI that was held in the Lok Sabha earlier this evening, Shri Modi shared that out of the 18 parties, 14 parties opposed the move yet due to the sword of the CBI some parties did not vote and the Congress won through the back door.
He declared that not only did the Congress fail when it ruled Gujarat for 40 years, it has also failed as an opposition party. Shri Modi recalled that during the Swarnim Gujarat he invited all former MLAs, MPs, CMs but the Congress boycotted this special occasion. Shri Modi said that the other name of the Congress is cheating and that they not only cheat the people but also their own workers.
Remembering the 2007 Vidhan Sabha elections, Shri Modi stated that Mrs. Sonia Gandhi came to Chhota Udepur and the media wrote that ‘Modi is finished’. But, when the results came out the Congress was wiped out in Chhota Udepur. This time she came to Rajkot but the Durdasha of the Congress will not change.
He pointed out that when Mrs. Sonia Gandhi came to Rajkot she did not utter a word about rising prices under the UPA. “In Rajkot you said lies and mislead the people of Gujarat!” the Chief Minister declared. Likewise, in Rajkot Mrs. Sonia Gandhi said that Congress Chief Ministers would give additional cylinders to people but Shri Modi questioned if any person has got any additional cylinder in the last months.
On the issue of gas, Shri Modi informed that the Gujarat Government has come up with an initiative to provide piped gas but when the Congress leaders came to know about it they rushed to Delhi and finally a Fatwa was issued from Delhi that putting a gas pipeline is the prerogative of the Centre and the state Government has no power to do it. Shri Modi shared that this initiative will reduce the subsidy burden and said that he has gone to the Supreme Court against this decision of the UPA and expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious!
Shri Modi affirmed that the 6 crore people of Gujarat are his family and he would continue to work for their happiness. He urged the people to vote in large numbers and break all previous records of voting.
Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
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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.
