Shri Narendra Modi addresses large public meetings in Selamba, Valsad, Surat and Ahmedabad

Pradhan Mantri ji ne Gujarat aakar khoob jhoot bola: Shri Modi

Country has realized the PM cannot move beyond votebank politics: Shri Modi

PM said there is no drinking water in Gujarat but Centre has awarded Gujarat on water distribution. Even UN has awarded us for water distribution: CM

The Prime Minister says there is unemployment in Gujarat. At least speak the truth; Central Government said Gujarat has lowest unemployment in India: Shri Modi

On the evening of Sunday 9th December 2012 Shri Narendra Modi came out all guns blazing against the Prime Minister for spreading lies while the PM was campaigning in Gujarat today. “Pradhan Mantri ji ne Gujarat aakar khoob jhoot bola (The Prime Minister came to Gujarat and spoke a lot of lies)!” he affirmed. He was speaking at campaign meetings in Selamba (Narmada district), Valsad (Valsad district), Surat (Surat district) and Ahmedabad city (Ahmedabad district).

Shri Modi attacked the Prime Minister for his comments on minorities and majority in Gujarat said that the country has realized that the Prime Minister cannot move beyond votebank politics. He affirmed, “The nation’s PM is not above votebank politics. 6 crore Gujaratis are a family, there is work going on for development and PM says minorities are not safe here. If there is a micro minority in India, it is the Parsis and Parsis are most happy in Gujarat. And you are talking of majority-minority and doing votebank politics.”

 

 

Referring to the shameful violence in Assam, he pointed out that the country has witnessed carnage in a state that the PM represents in Parliament. He said, “I want an answer from you. You are a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam. 6 months back in your home state what was happening the entire nation saw. Districts were under curfew for days. There is a Congress Government in Assam, a Congress Government in Delhi, you are PM from Assam and you come to Gujarat and talk of minorities.”

Giving yet another example, he said, “In Maharashtra, Shaheen a Muslim girl made a comment on Facebook and your Government put her in jail and when she came out of jail this same Muslim girl said she does not want to stay in Maharashtra. Shaheen said she wants to stay in Gujarat, Gujarat will keep her safe. You are defaming Gujarat but this young girl has given you a fitting answer.” He urged the Prime Minister to follow politics of development instead of votebank politics.

Puncturing the PM’s statement that there is no drinking water in Gujarat Shri Modi said that it is the Centre that has awarded Gujarat on water distribution. He added that not only the Centre but also the United Nations has awarded Gujarat for water distribution.

 

 

On the Prime Minister’s statement that there is unemployment in Gujarat Shri Modi said, “PM said there is unemployment. At least say the truth.” He reminded the PM that the records of the Central Government indicate that Gujarat has the lowest unemployment among all other states and he pointed out that youngsters from all states of India are coming to Gujarat to work.

He also attacked the Prime Minister and the Congress for their own record in creating jobs. He asked the Prime Minister what happened to the Congress promise in 2009 of creating 1 crore jobs for youngsters. Shri Modi shared that during their years in power in Gujarat, the Congress had banned recruitment in Government for 15 years and it was the BJP Government of the last 11 years that undid this and created opportunities for youngsters. The Chief Minister said that over the last 7 years, 3 lakh people got jobs in the Gujarat Government and from being the oldest police force in India the Gujarat police is now the most youthful police force in India. Indicating the sorry state of affairs under the Congress, the Chief Minister stated, “Congress did not even recruit teachers (when they were in power) due to which a generation went without education!”

 

 

Exposing the untrustworthy nature of the Congress, he pointed out, “Mrs. Sonia Gandhi said Gujarat has not developed but PM said Gujarat has developed due to Congress. A Party President and their PM said different things. Can we trust such people?”

Shri Modi spoke of the steps taken by the Gujarat Government for the development of the Tribal community. He recalled that when the Government brought the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana the Congress accused him of misleading the people but instead of the Rs. 15,000 crore promised the Gujarat Government spent Rs. 18,000 crore and this time the package will be of Rs. 40,000 crore! Likewise, he shared that youngsters from the Tribal community from Dahod and Godhra who earlier built roads in now work as road contractors, pointing to the prosperity of Tribal community over the last 11 years!

 

 

Commenting on Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s statement that it was the Congress who made a person from the Tribal community the Chief Minister, Shri Modi asked if that Chief Minister ever visited the Tribal dominated areas when the person was the CM and added that he has visited Tribal areas a large number of times, including to ask parents to send their daughters to school in the last 11 years. He also questioned Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s silence on important issues such as price rise and Gujarat’s development when she visited the state a few days ago. “Sonia Ben came but did she say a word on development of tribal communities? Did she say anything on what the Congress will do for the youth? At least Mrs. Sonia Gandhi should have said something about price rise,” and added, “Congress arrogance is sky high that is why they are not bothered about the poor!”

On the Narmada issue, Shri Modi pointed out that that the Shilanyas for Sardar Sarovar Dam was done by Pandit Nehru and for 26 years nothing happened. Mrs. Indira Gandhi did nothing on it for 9 years and then the Congress blames others! Who has delayed the Sardar Sarovar Dam it is evident, he stated.

The Chief Minister came down heavily on the UPA’s decision on FDI in retail and said that it will cause lakhs of people to lose their jobs and asked the Prime Minister to answer why were companies who came to Vibrant Gujarat given IT notices?“You are treating Gujarat as an enemy state?” he affirmed.

A large number of people were present to hear Shri Modi in the public meetings.

 

 

Shri Modi spoke of the steps taken by the Gujarat Government for the development of the Tribal community. He recalled that when the Government brought the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana the Congress accused him of misleading the people but instead of the Rs. 15,000 crore promised the Gujarat Government spent Rs. 18,000 crore and this time the package will be of Rs. 40,000 crore! Likewise, he shared that youngsters from the Tribal community from Dahod and Godhra who earlier built roads in now work as road contractors, pointing to the prosperity of Tribal community over the last 11 years!

Commenting on Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s statement that it was the Congress who made a person from the Tribal community the Chief Minister, Shri Modi asked if that Chief Minister ever visited the Tribal dominated areas when the person was the CM and added that he has visited Tribal areas a large number of times, including to ask parents to send their daughters to school in the last 11 years. He also questioned Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s silence on important issues such as price rise and Gujarat’s development when she visited the state a few days ago. “Sonia Ben came but did she say a word on development of tribal communities? Did she say anything on what the Congress will do for the youth? At least Mrs. Sonia Gandhi should have said something about price rise,” and added, “Congress arrogance is sky high that is why they are not bothered about the poor!”

 

 

 

 

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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.