Full Text: Shri Narendra Modi at a Public Meeting at Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Published By : Admin | November 30, 2013 | 20:21 IST

Former President of Bharatiya Janata Party and in charge of Delhi elections, honorable Shri Nitin Gadkari JI, Shri Navjot Singh Siddhu Ji, BJP State President, my friend Shri Vijay Goel Ji, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Ji, in whose leadership people of Delhi are going to form the government, all the senior dignitaries present on the stage, brothers and sisters..!

Since last few days, I have been travelling to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi for election campaign. Friends, it is clearly coming out now that the people of the country have started expressing their trust in Bharatiya Janata Party. In the coming elections, people do not just want to vote for making BJP win or Congress lose, they want that BJP wins and Congress gets punished. This is the mood of people..! Friends, in democracy people have just this one weapon, a strong opportunity to raise their voice. On the 4th of the coming month, you will not just decide the future of MLA of your constituency, and you will not just decide like what should happen to Chandni Chowk. On 4th of the coming month you are not only going to decide about the government in Delhi, but you are going to mark your own luck line for future..!

Friends, there are so many governments in Delhi, there are senior leaders and under their nose Delhi is in such a plight..! Friends, the incidence of Nirbhaya, even if it happened in Delhi but it broke the heart of entire India..! The incidence of Gudia, even if it happened in Delhi but it has shocked entire nation..! Friends, in the capital of our country where the Chief Minister is a women and a women controls the central government and in the same Delhi, if women are not safe, it is a blow to our image in the eyes of the world..! Because of the incidences that happen with the women in Delhi, the tourism of India has suffered major losses. The Common Wealth Games were an opportunity to not only make Delhi proud, but it was an opportunity to make all India proud, but these people ruined it..! Today, no country of the world sees Delhi with pride. After all who has created this scenario..?

Friends, I want to ask you all that do you want to force your children to lead the same life which you have lead in this governance of 60 years..? Do you want that your children also lead the same life..? Do you want good future for your coming generations..? Do you want your children to get education..? Do you want them to get employed when they grow up..? Do you want your old parents to get proper medications..? Do you want your kids to have proper meals..? Friends, these small little dreams have not been realized in 60 years even after three generations..! The root cause of this is the Congress party’s politics of vote bank. Till the time we are able to bring the vote bank politics to an end in this country, this country will not be able to rise. The country needs the politics of development. The country needs to change its destiny and conditions..!

When we say that the politics of vote bank has ruined this nation, a few people think that we are talking of the Muslims..! This is Ramlila Maidan, where honesty and integrity are staged, I want to say from this place with pure conscience that it is essential to understand the politics of vote bank. Vote bank politics is not an issue of Hindu or Muslims, it has become the major reason for the misery of the nation..! I will tell you how does it happen. Usually 60-65% voting takes place in our country, out of which from 5 to 15% is taken over by the people who contest independent etc, leaving 50%, for which the major parties fight and the one which gets 26%, it wins..! There is no hearing for 74% people, so what these shrewd leaders do, they calculate and say that let’s encash these two areas and our 26% is in our hands, make hold of these two wards and our 26% is made, capture these two mohallas and our 26% is made, let’s convince these two sects and 26% votes are in our pockets, bring together these religious people and the objective of 26% will be achieved… and that is why, they are always looking for opportunity that if we have to win, we just need to take care of 26%, and not the other 74%..! In this condition, if they will get roads constructed, it will be for only those 26%, if they offer employment, it will be only to those 26%, if they get electricity poles installed, it will be in that 26% area, if they will get water tap fitted, it will only be for those 26% and in this manner 74% people are completely left deprived of the journey of development..! Friends, we have felt in Gujarat that we should bring an end to the politics of vote bank. We have taken the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, i.e. development of all together, and the resultant is that now everyone is being benefitted beyond their cult, sects and communities..!

Friends, I have been born in such a family that no one ever imagined that I can reach here; I am from such an ordinary family..! And I also do not belong to any such cult or sect, but I had decided in my heart that I have to work for the welfare of the poor, I have to try and change the situations and today, go to any corner of India, when development is discussed, Gujarat has to be a part of it..! Look at the interesting aspect, the people who like Gujarat, they say we will also perform like Gujarat, and those who do not like it, they say that we are ahead of Gujarat in this context..! It means that Gujarat has become a yard stick of development. If you want to do well then you aspire for being like Gujarat and if you have performed well then you have overtaken Gujarat, this has become a measure of pride. Friends, can’t Delhi become a standard..? But it will not become one, because you have given the power of Delhi in hands of such people. Take Delhi out of their hands once, and I promise that you will notice changes in Delhi..!

Friends, you people tell me that in this election does Vijay Goel Ji give account of his work to the people of Chandni Chowk or not..? Does he ask for well being of every street and area or not..? Is he worried for you or not..? Dr. Harsh Vardhan Ji gave you account of what happened in Delhi or not..? But the arrogance of Congress has reached its peak and they consider the public in their pockets and are not ready to answer..! Friends, all of you are fed up with inflation or not..? The lower and middle class sections are suffering or not..? Has the Central or Delhi Government given any answer on inflation..? They have not, and this is arrogance..! If something could not be done then should you speak to people or not..? Friends, the inflation is in such shape that the poor families do not get food to eat, the kids weep all night long and sleep crying of hunger, but Congress party does not have time to speak two words to them..! Madam Sonia Ji, you are a mother, speak on inflation at least sometime..! Sheila Ji, you are a grandmother now, speak at least once for the starving kids..! The stalwarts of Congress have come ahead in this election, but no one is talking on inflation..!

I don’t understand what happened to all you people of Chandni Chowk, what did you do, you sent such a person to Lok Sabha..? I can’t believe that such a mistake can be committed by the people of Chandni Chowk, there would have been something wrong that day for sure..! Do you know what kind of a person you chose..? He thinks himself to be very intelligent, if after Google someone has this much of information, it is this person, and he thinks himself to be a disciple of Google and feels that he was the first one in the queue when wisdom was being distributed by God..! But, he said such a thing that the person who says such things, should never win an election..! While speaking on inflation, he said that inflation is rising because earlier the poor used to eat dry bread, while today he eats two kinds of veggies along with..! Die of shame, my friends from Congress, die of shame and stop disrespecting the poor..! You only tell me, is it the poor who is responsible for the inflation in this nation..? Is the reason of inflation the veggies consumed by the poor..? Is the poor not eligible to have vegetables even..? You have made such a person your MP, who being a Minister in Center, claims eating of veggies by poor a crime. Will you forgive such people..? Friends, what kind of language are they using..! And what does the Shahzada say..? I am shocked listening to them..! Weill, if a few people from media would not have helped them then God knows where they would have been today, they are still here because of a few media people..!

Friends, if even the 100th part of what we go through is to be had by them, they will run away from the public life..! When we move out with the pledge to serve the public with honesty and integrity, then we get the strength to bear the hurt, because we get blessings of the public..! But the Shahzada says that until we talk about the poor in politics, we do not feel content..! Is the poor a matter to have fun..? Friends, the difference between us is just that till they do the politics of poverty, they do not feel content and we can’t sleep seeing the sufferings of the poor..! He says that there is nothing like poverty, those who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, those who have not seen poverty, what will they know about poverty..! What is pain, what is hurt, how are nights spent shivering in cold, how you feel hungry when you are starving, those who do not know all this, what will they know about poverty..! He says that there is nothing like poverty, it is just a state of mind..! When the poor living on footpath dies in winters of Delhi, then you understand what poverty is..! When a poor dies without water in the sun, then you understand what poverty is..! Poverty is not understood by getting pictures clicked in poor men’s houses..! Friends, when your kids grow, you want to show them a lion. You take your kids to zoo to show the lion because they have not seen a lion, in the same way the Shahzada needs to go to the huts of poor once in the year to see what poverty is..! He forgets after going once, so people take him again that go and see this is what poverty looks like..! These people have made poverty a subject of display..!

Friends, people who talk like this can’t do any good for the nation. I appeal all the people present here that compare the working methodology of the places where there is Congress rule with those where there is  BJP rule, and what have they done for poor and how much have they done, I can claim that BJP governments will definitely lead..!

Friends, polling is scheduled tomorrow in Rajasthan. There have been 40 riots in Rajasthan and the Shahzada does not have faith in the government there. Without informing his own party government in Rajasthan, he once secretly reached Bharatpur, a place near the riot affected area. See, he does not have faith even in his own party government. He went there on a motorcycle and the person who was driving was a history sheeter, and the bike on which he went was a stolen one..! See the wonder..! And all this got published in the newspapers of Rajasthan. The Shahzada preferred to sit on a stolen bike over cars of his own party government; he preferred to sit with a history sheeter over sitting with the Chief Minister of his own party government..! Friends, those who do not have trust in their own party government, how can they do any good for the country..!

Friends, today Gujarat has reached such heights of development, it has got this far, what is the reason of it..? The reason is NOT Modi. The reason of Gujarat’s development is the unity, brotherhood, and good faith amongst the people of Gujarat. Everyone there is moving together and working with the mantra of development and this is the reason for growth of Gujarat..! Friends, earlier Gujarat was also in a bad state, there used to be riots on cricket balls, kites, there used to be riots on cycle accidents, but it has been 10 years and there is peace..! Now peace, unity and brotherhood prevail in Gujarat..! Those who are engaged in vote bank politics are feeling uncomfortable with the fact that why there is no riot under Modi’s rule..! There are riots in Rajasthan, In UP there is a young Chief Minister but still more than 100 riots broke within a span of one year or so, innocent people are killed, because their politics is of divide and rule. Congress party has just played the game of dividing the society, of making brothers, families, cults, sects, communities, religion fight with each other and this is why the country has been devastated..!

On the same time, what is the culture of Bharatiya Janata Party..? We made Uttarakhand from Uttar Pradesh, and sweets were distributed both in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh..! Atal Ji made Chhattisgarh, and both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh celebrated..! Made Jharkhand from Bihar, and both Jharkhand and Bihar celebrated..! But the result of Congress’s politics of division is that they went to make Telangana from Andhra Pradesh and both Andhra and Telangana are suffering, at both places there are gun firings, there is curfew at both the places, because the modality of Congress is such..! Friends, you tell me, Delhi is a part of India or not..? This Haryana is a part of India or not..? There is Government of India in Delhi or not..? Then in presence of Haryana, Delhi stays deprived of water, what is this..? What kind of politics is this..? It is the politics of division, because of which this misery is there. That is why our politics is, bring people together and develop, while their politics is to divide the nation and rule..! Friends, we want to do politics of bringing together, of development, so that the youth gets employment..!

Friends, almost two lakh unemployed people are registered in employment exchange in Delhi, out of which only 200 people got job by Sheila Ji..! In entire India if there is any state which gives employment to the maximum people registered in employment exchange, it is Gujarat..! We have employed 57% people there. Friends, development is the only mantra that solves all the problems. Where there are BJP governments, there is competition of development. If Shivraj Singh Ji did something, then Raman Singh Ji thinks that I will do something better, If Raman Ji did something good, then Modi Ji thinks that I will do it in Gujarat, if something good happens in Gujarat, then Manohar Parrikar Ji thinks that he will make it happen in Goa as well, this way all the Chief Ministers of BJP compete to perform better. But in Congress they compete for corruption, everyone is ahead of the other, one does a scam of 1000 crores, so the other does a scam of 2000 crore, and the next does a scam of 5000 crore..! This competition of robbing has ruined the nation..!

Friends, when there was government of Rajiv Gandhi, there was no identity of BJP at that time, we were not at all visible anywhere, Congress flag used to be hoisted everywhere from the Panchayats to the Parliament, at that time Rajiv Gandhi said that a rupee disbursed from Delhi becomes only 15 paisa by the time it reaches to people..! From New Delhi, before reaching Chandni Chowk, rupee used to become just 15 paisa..! This is what Rajiv Gandhi said when there was Congress in power everywhere. Friends, the country wants to know that whose hand was it which made 15 paisa of a rupee..! That is why I have faith in Dr. Harsh Vardhan Ji that if you will give operations to him, he will guard the safes of Delhi and let no hands reach them..!

Friends, it is very important to understand Congress party, these are very smart people, that is why they are in power since 60 years making a fool of us..! These are very amazing people, first they come and join hands, then they shake hands, then after sometime they show hands, and when get some strength they use their hands, and once they get settled, they start showing the skills of their hands..! Friends, all this is a game of tricks. Look at their strength, they show one hand and rob with both the hands..! Lately, a few people have come in the battlegrounds, when they came along with Anna Hazare Ji, it was felt as if after Jai Prakash Narayan, God has given us Anna Ji..! There was a hope that because of Anna Ji’s movement, entire nation will stand against corruption, there was a hope of saving the nation from corruption, but due to the political interests and personal aspirations, a movement initiated for the good of this nation by a great man was ditched, handful of people backstabbed and ditched this fight against corruption. Those people did it for their personal political aspirations and made that great man suffer as much as they could, and today they are out to grab power. Friends, Congress still used to take from hands, these people will sweep everything off with brooms..!

Friends, Bharatiya Janata Party which is answerable to the people, is moving with the mantra of development. I can say with the experience of Gujarat that we can fight against corruption and can also win. I can also give an example. The person whom you have sent as your MP from here, who thinks himself to be very wise and seated in the Delhi Government, he made an announcement that the youth of this country will get tablet in Rs. 3000, Akash tablet..! Do you remember..? For that he held a huge press conference, and gave lot of interviews and publicized it everywhere. Did you see Akash tablet anywhere..? Did it came to the ground from skies..? I made a mistake once, I gave a statement in Gujarat that Government of India needs to answer that they were about to give youth of India Akash tablet, where did that plan vanish..? Just because of my asking that, he got offended that what does Modi think of himself, he dared to criticize me..? And since that time he is after me, it seems as if he has decided that I will not sit peacefully till I send Modi behind bars..! He got so angry that he sent an Akash tablet to me only..! He thought that I will bribe and Modi will be pacified, but he does not know that Modi is made of different metal altogether. I advised him that the question is not whether Modi gets a tablet or not, but the question is that you kept this plan in the budget, you gave people of India a faith and then failed. You simply accept before the nation that you have failed, but he is not ready to accept..!

Friends, money of the nation is being wasted and no one is accountable. 2G scam took place and everyone was saying that they sold off wavelengths. CAG said that there is a scam of Rs. 1,74,000 crore and they are saying zero loss..! Mr. Zero said zero loss..! Parliament is saying, Supreme Court is saying, the people of country are saying, but they are in their own arrogance..! Not only this, this great man, he is a Minister of Telecom, he made telecom suffer huge losses, which means they have taken away employment from youth, they have affected the economy of India. BSNL comes under this ministry, today there is such a huge business of mobile phones, how much does it earn, how much people spend on it, everyone knows that. Even then, BSNL had to face a loss Rs. 1823 crores in 2010, and when these wise man is governing then in the year 2013 this loss has reached to Rs. 8200 crore..! You only tell me, this is people’s money wasted or not..? People who are responsible for it are guilty or not..? As Telecom Minister he has MTNL under him, which had loss of Rs. 2611 crore in 2010 and it has increased to Rs. 5300 crore in 2013..! Whose money is all this..? Is it not people’s money..? Is it not poor men’s money..? Friends, these people are robbing this nation..!

Let me tell you how work gets done when there is good governance. When I became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, many people used to come to meet me with garlands and they used to say that Modi Ji, please do just one thing, provide us electricity at least at the dinner time..! There were such days in Gujarat that there was no electricity even at the time of dinner. Gujarat Electricity Board, i.e. GEB had loss of Rs. 2500 crore annually, any person can give up just by hearing that..! Can there be courage in anybody to improve such situation..? But we took the challenge. Friends, today in Gujarat the same GEB suffering loss of Rs. 2500 crore, makes profit of Rs. 400 crore..! We saved the money being robbed and this is the result. There are government factories for production of fertilizers, Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation and the other is GNFC, Gujarat Narmada valley Fertilizer Corporation. When I became the Chief Minister, both of them were at the verge of sinking. If they would have sunk then the farmers of India would have been ruined, they would have had suffered, the harvest would have suffered, and the economy of the country would have suffered. We focused attention and today I can proudly say that both our companies which were dying, have become the largest profit making companies today..!

Friends, if corruption is controlled, and good governance is emphasized then even the sinking boat can be saved, but you have sent a person who in his airs is making country bear losses, and is ruining the nation..! That is why I have come to request you all that the country needs freedom from poverty, the youth of this nation wants employment, the poor needs food, the old need medicines, women want good and safe surroundings to live with dignity..! Friends, if we are able to do just this much, then every person in our country have the potential to grow and BJP has come to you to do this. I have come here to request you all to give us a chance..!

Friends, after 200 days, parliament elections are also lined up. The country has decided that there will be BJP government in Delhi. If there is BJP government under the leadership of Harsh Vardhan Ji in the state of Delhi, and there is BJP’s government in the center too, then you will be doubly benefitted..! Both the governments together will do such a job that Delhi will shine in the whole world, and thus I urge you all to vote heavily on 4th and make BJP win..!

Bharat Mata ki Jai..!

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Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

I extend warm greetings to all the people of Bundelkhand, the land of heroes. I also greet the Honourable Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel; the diligent Chief Minister of this region, Bhai Mohan Yadav Ji; Union Ministers Bhai Shivraj Singh Ji, Virendra Kumar Ji, and CR Paatil Ji; Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda Ji; Rajendra Shukla Ji; other ministers, MPs, MLAs, other dignitaries, revered sages, and my dear brothers and sisters of Madhya Pradesh.

Today, the entire world is celebrating Christmas. I warmly extend my Christmas greetings to the Christian community across the nation and the globe. Additionally, the BJP government, under the leadership of Mohan Yadav, has successfully completed one year. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Madhya Pradesh and the dedicated BJP workers. Over the past year, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a new wave of development. Even today, projects worth thousands of crores of rupees have been inaugurated. Notably, the foundation stone for the historic Daudhan Dam of the Ken-Betwa Link Project has been laid, and the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Plant—the first of its kind in Madhya Pradesh—has been inaugurated. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Madhya Pradesh on these significant achievements.

Friends,

Today is a deeply inspiring day for all of us. It is the birth anniversary of our revered Atal Ji. This day marks the centenary of Bharat Ratna Atal Ji's birth. The celebration of Atal Ji’s birth anniversary is a festival of inspiration for good governance and dedicated service. Earlier today, as I released a commemorative postage stamp and coin in his memory, I was overwhelmed by a flood of cherished memories. For years, Atal Ji mentored and nurtured many individuals like me. His invaluable contributions to the nation's development will forever remain etched in our memories.

Moreover, the construction of over 1,100 Atal Gram Seva Sadans in Madhya Pradesh is commencing today, and the first instalment for these has already been released. These Atal Gram Seva Sadans will play a pivotal role in accelerating the development of our villages.

Friends,

For us, Good Governance Day is not merely a one-day observance; it is a way of life and the hallmark of BJP governments. The people of this nation have chosen the BJP-led government at the Centre for the third consecutive term. In Madhya Pradesh, you have consistently placed your trust in the BJP. This enduring faith in good governance is the cornerstone of our success.

I urge the intellectuals and analysts of this country, those adept at evaluating governance through written records, to conduct a review as we mark 75 years of independence. Let us identify 100–200 parameters related to development, public welfare, and good governance. Then, let us assess what has been achieved in regions where Congress ruled, where the Left or communist parties held power, where family-driven political parties governed, and where coalition governments were in charge. Most importantly, let us evaluate the regions where the BJP was given the opportunity to serve.

I can confidently assert that wherever the BJP has been in power, we have surpassed all previous records in public welfare, developmental initiatives, and service to the nation. If these parameters are objectively evaluated, the nation will see the unwavering dedication of BJP governments to the common man. We work tirelessly to fulfil the dreams of our freedom fighters. Those who sacrificed their lives for this country deserve to have their visions realised. We are committed to nurturing those dreams with our relentless efforts.

Good governance is not just about formulating excellent schemes; it is about their effective and transparent implementation. The real measure of governance lies in how much benefit reaches the people. In the past, Congress governments were known for announcements and optics—laying foundation stones, cutting ribbons, lighting ceremonial lamps, and getting their photographs published. Their responsibility ended there, leaving the people without the promised benefits.

After becoming the Prime Minister, I reviewed old projects through the PRAGATI programme. I was shocked to discover that work on projects initiated 35–40 years ago had not progressed even an inch. This reflects the lack of intent and seriousness in implementing schemes during Congress rule.

Today, we are witnessing the tangible benefits of schemes like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are now receiving Rs 12,000 annually under this scheme, something made possible only because Jan Dhan bank accounts were opened. In Madhya Pradesh, the Ladli Behna Yojana is transforming lives. Without the opening of bank accounts for women and linking them with Aadhaar and mobile numbers, such schemes would have been impossible to implement.

Previously, schemes like subsidised ration existed, but the poor often struggled to access their entitlements. Today, with the introduction of technology, we see transparency and efficiency in ration distribution. The poor now receive free rations without any hassle. This transformation was only possible because of initiatives like "One Nation, One Ration Card," which have eliminated fraud and ensured nationwide access to essential services.

Friends,

Good governance means that a citizen should not have to plead with the government for their rights or run from one government office to another. Our policy of "saturation" ensures that 100% of beneficiaries receive 100% of the benefits. This mantra of good governance is what distinguishes BJP governments from others. Today, the entire country recognises this, which is why the BJP is repeatedly chosen to lead.

Friends,

Wherever there is good governance, not only are current challenges addressed, but future challenges are also anticipated and planned for. Unfortunately, Congress ruled the country for decades but failed to deliver governance. Congress has always treated being in government as its birthright, yet governance has remained a distant concept for them. Governance and Congress simply cannot coexist. The people of Bundelkhand have suffered the consequences of this negligence for generations. Farmers, mothers, and sisters here have struggled for every single drop of water. Why did such a situation arise? Because Congress never considered finding a permanent solution to the water crisis.

Friends,

I was among the first to recognise the importance of river water for Bharat's development. You may be surprised when I ask: after independence, who first thought about "Jal Shakti," the power of water? Who made visionary plans for Bharat's water resources? Who worked on these issues? Even my journalist friends would struggle to answer this question because the truth was deliberately suppressed. In their obsession with crediting one individual, the real visionary was forgotten. Today, I want to tell you that after independence, the vision for Bharat's water resources, the idea of constructing dams, and the concept of Jal Shakti were pioneered by none other than Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

The large river valley projects in Bharat were born out of Dr. Ambedkar’s vision. The Central Water Commission, which exists today, is also a result of his efforts. Yet Congress never acknowledged his contributions to water conservation and the construction of major dams. His contributions were hidden from public knowledge. Congress never gave Baba Saheb the recognition he deserved.

Even today, after seven decades, disputes over water persist between many states in the country. When Congress held power from the Panchayat level to Parliament, these disputes could have been resolved. But Congress’s intentions were flawed, and it never made any serious or concrete efforts to address these issues.

Friends,

When Atal Ji's government was formed, he began addressing the country’s water-related challenges with great seriousness. However, after 2004, when Atal Ji's government was replaced, Congress shelved all those plans, dreams, and efforts. Today, our government is accelerating the national campaign to link rivers. The dream of the Ken-Betwa Link Project is now on the verge of becoming a reality. This project will open new avenues of prosperity and happiness in the Bundelkhand region. Ten districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Panna, Damoh, and Sagar, will benefit from improved irrigation facilities.

As I walked onto the stage, I had the opportunity to meet farmers from various districts. Their happiness and the joy on their faces were evident. They expressed that this project has secured the future of their coming generations.

Friends,

Districts like Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region will also gain from this initiative.

Friends,

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to initiate two projects under the grand campaign to link rivers. I was in Rajasthan a few days ago, where Mohan Ji elaborated on this. Plans are in place to connect multiple rivers through the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal and Ken-Betwa link projects. Madhya Pradesh is poised to reap significant benefits from this agreement.

Friends,

Water security is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. In this century, only those countries and regions that have ample water and effective water management will thrive. Agriculture and livestock will flourish with water; industries and businesses will thrive with water.

I come from Gujarat, a state where drought used to be a common occurrence for large part of the year. However, the blessings of Maa Narmada, which originates in Madhya Pradesh, transformed Gujarat's destiny. I see it as my responsibility to free the drought-affected areas of Madhya Pradesh from the water crisis. This is why I made a promise to the sisters of Bundelkhand and the farmers here—to work tirelessly and sincerely to alleviate your struggles.

Under this vision, we developed a plan worth approximately Rs 45,000 crore to address Bundelkhand’s water issues. We consistently encouraged the BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to act on this vision. Today, as part of the Ken-Betwa Link Project, the foundation stone of the Daudhan Dam has been laid. This dam will give rise to hundreds of kilometres of canals, and its water will irrigate approximately 11 lakh hectares of land.

Friends,

The last decade will be remembered in Bharat's history as an extraordinary period of progress in water security and conservation. In previous governments, responsibilities related to water were scattered across various departments. To address this, we established the Jal Shakti Ministry. For the first time, a national mission was launched to provide tap water to every household. In the seven decades after independence, only three crore rural families had access to tap water. Over the last five years, we have provided tap water connections to 12 crore additional families. So far, more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore has been invested in this scheme.

Another crucial aspect of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which is not often discussed, is the focus on water quality testing. Across the country, 2,100 water quality laboratories have been set up. In villages, 25 lakh women have been trained to test drinking water. As a result, thousands of villages are now free from the compulsion of consuming contaminated water. Imagine the significance of this effort in safeguarding children and communities from waterborne diseases.

Friends,

Before 2014, there were about 100 large irrigation projects in the country that had remained incomplete for decades. We are investing thousands of crores of rupees to complete these long-pending projects. Additionally, we are promoting modern methods of irrigation. Over the past decade, nearly one crore hectares of land have been brought under micro-irrigation facilities. In Madhya Pradesh alone, about five lakh hectares of land have been equipped with micro-irrigation in the same period. Efforts to make optimal use of every drop of water continue unabated.

On the occasion of Bharat completing 75 years of independence, we launched a campaign to construct 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district. So far, over 60,000 Amrit Sarovars have been built across the country. We have also rolled out the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain initiative nationwide. More than three lakh recharge wells are currently under construction. The most remarkable aspect of these initiatives is the active participation of people from all walks of life—urban and rural alike—who are driving these campaigns with immense enthusiasm.

In regions where groundwater levels are critically low, including Madhya Pradesh, we are implementing the Atal Bhujal Yojana to address these challenges.

Friends,

Madhya Pradesh has always been a leading state in tourism. And how could I come to Khajuraho without mentioning tourism? Tourism is a sector that not only generates employment for the youth but also strengthens the national economy. As Bharat is poised to become the third-largest economic power in the world, global curiosity about Bharat is growing. People across the world are eager to learn about and understand our country, and Madhya Pradesh stands to benefit significantly from this interest.

Recently, a report in an American newspaper highlighted Madhya Pradesh as one of the ten most attractive tourist destinations in the world. This recognition has been widely reported in Madhya Pradesh’s newspapers as well. Imagine the pride and joy for every resident of Madhya Pradesh! Does this not enhance your sense of identity and respect? Will it not boost tourism in the region? Will it not provide jobs to even the poorest citizens?

Friends,

The central government is consistently working to enhance facilities for tourists from both Bharat and abroad, ensuring easier access to travel destinations. We have introduced initiatives like the e-visa to simplify travel for international visitors. Heritage and wildlife tourism in India are being expanded, and Madhya Pradesh holds unparalleled potential in this regard. Take the Khajuraho region, for instance—it boasts invaluable treasures of history and devotion. Places such as Kandariya Mahadev, Laxman Temple, and Chausath Yogini Temple are significant pilgrim sites. To promote tourism, we organised G-20 meetings across India, including one here in Khajuraho. For this purpose, a state-of-the-art international conference centre was built in Khajuraho.

Friends,

Under the central government's Swadesh Darshan Yojana, Madhya Pradesh has been allocated hundreds of crores of rupees to develop eco-tourism facilities and introduce new attractions for tourists. Today, sites like Sanchi and other Buddhist locations are being connected through the Buddhist circuit. Eco circuits now include Gandhisagar, Omkareshwar Dam, Indira Sagar Dam, Bheda Ghat, and Bansagar Dam. Similarly, heritage circuits are linking places like Khajuraho, Gwalior, Orchha, Chanderi, and Mandu, while Panna National Park has been integrated into the wildlife circuit.

Last year alone, approximately 2.5 lakh tourists visited the Panna Tiger Reserve. I am pleased to share that the link canal being constructed here will also take care of the wildlife at Panna Tiger Reserve.

Friends,

These efforts to boost tourism significantly impact the local economy. Tourists contribute by purchasing local goods, and businesses ranging from auto and taxi services to hotels, dhabas, homestays, and guest houses thrive. Even farmers benefit, as they secure better prices for produce such as milk, curd, fruits, and vegetables.

Friends,

Over the past two decades, Madhya Pradesh has excelled on many fronts. In the years ahead, the state is poised to become one of the top economies in the country. Bundelkhand will play a vital role in this transformation, contributing significantly to making Madhya Pradesh a developed state for a developed Bharat.

I assure you that the double-engine government will continue its sincere efforts to achieve this vision. Once again, my heartfelt best wishes to all of you.

Today's programme is truly monumental, and I deeply understand its significance. The presence of such a large gathering, especially of mothers and sisters, underscores the importance of water. Water is life, and your blessings for our work in this area inspire us to continue. Together, let us pledge to move forward. Say it with me:

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!