Prime Minister’s Address to the Fiji Parliament

Published By : Admin | November 19, 2014 | 16:43 IST

Excellency Speaker Dr. Jiko Luveni, Excellency Prime Minister Bainimarama, Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji,

Nisan Bula and Namaste

Two months ago, Fijians voted in extraordinary numbers to elect their Parliament. Six months ago, Indians participated in the largest election in human history.

Today, I stand here, grateful for this special gift – the honour to be among you, to speak to this new Parliament, in celebration of democracy and to reaffirm our friendship.

India is a nation of more than a billion; Fiji a nation of a million.We are located in different oceans. But, what unites today is our democracy, the diversity of our societies, our creed that all human beings are equal, and our commitment to the liberty, dignity and rights of every individual. What also links today is that we have women as Speakers of our two Parliaments!

You have done better than us. One in every seven members in this Parliament is a woman; in India, it is just one in nine. So, I hope we can match you the next time; and, I hope we can both do better in future.

People in Fiji have different histories, ethnicities, languages and religions. But, they stand together as one nation of Fijians, with one voice, one vision and one aspiration. In both nations, we have vested power in our people. Your Constitution begins with "We, the people of Fiji", Ours begins with the same simple words, "We the people of India" And, what a Constitution you have framed! It is a Constitution that only not only guarantees freedoms and rights the citizens, but also to ensure their basic needs and empower them. From the right to life, liberty, dignity, equality and freedom of religion, To the right to education, information, work, health, food and water To the rights of children and the disabled. This is a Constitution that reflects the will of an enlightened nation.

The journey to this milestone had its struggles and setbacks, but the road you have chosen has won you admiration around the world and the support of the people here.

Honorable Members,

Fiji is a shining example of small nations that can successfully pursue great ambitions, Because what makes a nation successful is not its size or its population, but its vision and its values.

Today, Fiji is a nation that has used its economic resources well. You have been a strong voice on behalf of the Pacific Islands and a hub of this region. You led the G 77 with vision and statesmanship. Your soldiers have served with outstanding professionalism in UN Peacekeeping Missions in some of the world`s most dangerous spots. And, you are playing an influential role in shaping the global dialogue on climate change.

There are many in India, who wish Vijay Singh wore the Indian colours on the golf course!

Honorable Members,

For India, Fiji will always have a special place. The tide of history brought many from India to your shores. It has forged our ties of culture and kinship. But, our relationship today stands on a much broader of our shared values and our common interests as developing countries. And, now, together we were partners in making history.

You graciously hosted Indian scientists in Fiji for tracking our Mars Mission, Mangalyaan. It was the only mission in the world to succeed in the first attempt.

I convey today the gratitude of the people and the scientists of India. This simple yet profound act of cooperation reflects the boundless possibilities in our relationship, if we choose to seek them.

Our trade and investment ties have been modest. Our relationship in science, education and culture could be stronger. Yet, there are examples of our partnership that should inspire us – our cooperation in upgrading your sugar mills or the public-private partnership in the area of healthcare.

As we have collaborated in running hospitals here, we can also extend our cooperation in pharmaceuticals and traditional medicines.

As Fiji adjusts to the changing global markets, India is prepared to be your partner – In making your existing industry stronger and finding new opportunities for your youth. For countries like ours, village and small and medium scale industries are the source of enterprise and employment.

Today, I am pleased to announce a grant of 5 million U.S. dollars to strengthen and modernize Fiji`s village, small and medium industries. We will also provide a Line of Credit of 70 million dollars for a co-generation power plant at Rarav Sugar Mill. And, another Line of Credit of 5 million dollars for upgrading the sugar industry in Fiji.

Agriculture supports a majority of the population in India and Fiji. I offer our expertise and assistance in increasing productivity in the agriculture sector. As the largest producer of milk in the world, India can help develop your dairy industry, which can also contribute to your exports. In areas like fisheries, textiles and garments, and gems and jewellery, we can expand trade.

In this digital age, every nation can be part of the global information technology industry. And, it is a dream that youth around the world share. It is an industry that depends on ideas and skills. It offers a great path to prosperity. And, it has a light carbon footprint.

We were pleased to set up a centre of excellence in information technology here in Fiji. We are is prepared to work with you to build a Digitial Fiji and to equip your youth to integrate Fiji into the global IT network.

We will also deepen our cooperation in education and training and we will double the number of our scholarships.

Today, I propose that we work together to harness the potential of Space technology for governance, economic development, conservation, climate change and natural disasters.

We could work to make Fiji the hub for our regional collaboration in Space, just as India has done with ASEAN.

There are times when we think of each other as distant lands, separated by oceans and seven time zones.

But, think of the days when travel was difficult. That did not deter brave people from travelling over the seas in search of a new life. Distance, to me, is irrelevant in a world of fiber optic cables and satellite links. We are only as far away as the click of a mouse or the call button of a phone. In any case, a direct flight today can take you from Fiji to most places in India. And, I say this more to my people than to you.

Fijians have been steady in visiting India. We in India have not paid enough attention to this beautiful land of warm people and immense potential. This must change. We must make travel easier between our two countries. For this reason, I have taken a small step in extending visa on arrival to Fijians in India, as you have done for Indians. And, if you want to attract more Indians to enjoy the magnificence of your islands and the warmth of your hospitality, you should invite Bollywood to shoot their films in Fiji.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

We have spoken of vast opportunities, but we also share many common challenges. For you, climate change is not a matter of debate, but a basic question of existence.

India, too, is a nation of a long coastline and more than 1000 islands, a nation that is nurtured by monsoon rain and the Himalayan glaciers.

We, too, are facing the searing impact of climate change. And, we spend more than 6% of our GDP in adapting to its consequences. Now, each of us must shoulder our own responsibilities. We cannot side aside and take no action. Technology has made it possible.We don`t have to seek old pathways to prosperity.

In India, we have a comprehensive national plan and strategy to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. And, I have a deep personal commitment to it. And, we look forward to working with Fiji in areas such wind and solar energy. But, it is also equally important that the global community accepts its responsibility and implements its commitment. It should not become one in which the strong shift the burden on the others; or impose the responsibilities of their excesses on the choices that others make. It should not be an issue of economic advantage or trade competitive of one over the other.

The world had agreed on a beautiful balance of collective action – common but differentiated responsibilities. That should form the basis of continued action. This also means that the developed countries must fulfil their commitments for funding and technology transfer.

India has stood shoulder to shoulder with Fiji and the Small Islands Developing States is seeking a fair and urgent response from the international community for a sustainable future.

We also have shared stakes in a peaceful, cooperative and prosperous Asia and Pacific regions. Stretching from the Indian Ocean through continental Asia into Pacific, this is a region of enormous dynamism and opportunities, but also a region with many challenges.

Fiji is a leader in the region and a strong voice in the developing world. Together, we can also work for a future in the region, in which there is an equal place for all nations - big and small, developed and developing – and a climate of peace and tranquility.

I thank Prime Minister and Fiji for their leadership in hosting my meeting with the Pacific leaders later today.

Let us join hands to create an ocean of opportunity that stretches from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Sometimes our relations have been adrift.

Sometimes our relations have been adrift.

Let us chart a new course. Let us start a new era - When it does not take another 33 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Fiji. When Fijians and Indians work with each other from the comfort of familiarity and the ease that comes with the habit of regular partnership.

When we draw strength from the ties of history and the bonds of emotions; seek new purpose in our many shared interests; and seize our new opportunities.

Thank you Vinaka (Thank you). Dhanyawad.

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Chief Justice of Bharat, Justice Sanjiv Khanna ji, Justice B.R. Gavai ji, Justice Surya Kant ji, my colleague from the Union Cabinet, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal ji, Attorney General Shri Venkataramani ji, Bar Council Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra ji, Supreme Court Bar Association President Shri Kapil Sibal ji, Justices of the Supreme Court, former Chief Justices, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen!

Greetings to you and to all citizens on Constitution Day. The 75th year of Bharat’s Constitution is a matter of immense pride for the entire nation. Today, I humbly pay tribute to the Constitution of Bharat and all the members of the Constituent Assembly.

Friends,

As we commemorate this significant democratic festival, we must not forget that today also marks the anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. I pay homage to those who lost their lives in this attack and reiterate the nation’s resolve to respond decisively to any terrorist organisation that challenges Bharat’s security.

Friends,

Serious discussions took place regarding the democratic future of Bharat during the extensive debates in the Constituent Assembly. You are all well-versed with those debates. At the time, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar said, “The Constitution is not a mere lawyers' document... its spirit is always the spirit of the Age.” The spirit mentioned by Babasaheb is of paramount importance. The provisions of our Constitution allow us to interpret it in line with changing times and circumstances. The framers of our Constitution recognised that Bharat’s aspirations and dreams would reach new heights over time and that the needs and challenges of independent Bharat and the citizens of Bharat would evolve. Thus, they did not leave our Constitution as just a legal document but made it a dynamic, continuously flowing stream.

Friends,

Our Constitution serves as a guide for our present and our future. Over the past 75 years, whatever challenges the country faced, our Constitution provided suitable solutions. Even during the Emergency, a period of significant challenge to democracy, our Constitution emerged strong. Our Constitution has lived up to every need and every expectation of the country. This strength of the Constitution has ensured that today Babasaheb’s Constitution is fully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir as well. For the first time, Constitution Day is being celebrated there.

Friends,

Bharat is undergoing a period of tremendous transformation, and during such critical times, our Constitution is showing us the way and remains a guiding light for us.

Friends,

The path forward for Bharat is one of fulfilling great dreams and resolutions. Today, every citizen is united by a single aim—the creation of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). ‘Viksit Bharat’ means a nation where every citizen enjoys a quality of life and dignity of life. This is a major vehicle for social justice, which is also a core spirit of the Constitution. Hence, several steps have been taken to promote economic and social equality in recent years. Over the past decade, more than 53 crore Indians who previously lacked access to banks have opened accounts. In the last ten years, four crore homeless citizens have been provided permanent housing who did not have their homes for generations. Over the last 10 years, more than 10 crore women received free gas connections, who were waiting for gas connections at their homes for several years. In today's life, it seems very simple that we turn on a tap at home, and water flows. However, even 75 years after the country's independence, only 3 crore households had access to tap water. Millions of people were still waiting for tap water in their homes. I am satisfied that our government has provided tap water to more than 12 crore households in the span of 5-6 years making the lives of citizens, especially women, easier and strengthening the spirit of the Constitution.

Friends,

As you are aware, the original manuscript of our Constitution features illustrations of Lord Ram, Mother Sita, Hanuman ji, Buddha, Mahavira, and Guru Gobind Singh ji, symbols of Bharat’s culture. These illustrations in the Constitution remind us of the importance of human values. These values form the basis of modern Bharat’s policies and decisions. To ensure that Indians receive swift justice, a new judicial code has been implemented. The punishment-based system has now been transformed into a justice-based system. A historic decision has been made with the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to increase women's political participation. We have also taken steps to ensure recognition and rights for the third gender. Additionally, we have implemented measures to make the lives of differently-abled individuals easier.

Friends,

Today, the nation is heavily focused on improving the Ease of Living for its citizens. There was a time when senior citizens receiving pensions had to visit banks to prove that they were alive. Now, the senior citizens can avail the convenience of submitting digital life certificates from the comfort of their homes. Nearly 1.5 crore senior citizens have benefited from this facility so far. Today, Bharat is a country that provides free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees to every poor family. It is also a country that offers free healthcare to every elderly individual above 70 years of age. Affordable medicines are available at an 80 percent discount at thousands of Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. There was a time when immunization coverage in our country was less than 60 per cent and millions of children missed vaccinations each year. Today, I am satisfied to see that Bharat’s immunization coverage is reaching 100 percent, thanks to Mission Indradhanush. Even in remote villages, children are now being vaccinated on time. These efforts have significantly reduced the worries of the poor and the middle class.

Friends,

An example of how the country is working today is the Aspirational Districts campaign. Over 100 districts that were once considered backward have been redefined as Aspirational Districts, where development across all parameters has been accelerated. Today, many of these aspirational districts are performing much better than other districts. Building on this model, we have now launched the Aspirational Block Program.

Friends,

The country is now placing great emphasis on eliminating the everyday challenges people face. Just a few years ago, there were 2.5 crore households in Bharat that would plunge into darkness every evening because they lacked electricity connections. By providing free electricity connections to all, the nation has illuminated their lives. In recent years, thousands of mobile towers have been installed even in remote areas to ensure people have access to 4G and 5G connectivity. Earlier, if you visited the Andaman or Lakshadweep Islands, broadband connectivity was unavailable. Today, undersea optical fiber cables have brought high-speed internet to these islands. We are also well aware of the numerous disputes that arise over village homes and land in rural areas. Even developed countries worldwide face significant challenges with land records. However, today’s Bharat is taking the lead in addressing this issue. Under the PM Svamitva Yojana, drone mapping of village homes is being conducted, and legal documents are being issued to residents.

Friends,

The rapid development of modern infrastructure is equally essential for the country's progress. Completing infrastructure projects on time not only saves the nation’s resources but also significantly enhances the utility of these projects. With this vision, a platform named PRAGATI has been created, where regular reviews of infrastructure projects are conducted. Some of these projects had been pending for 30-40 years. I personally chair these meetings. You’ll be pleased to know that projects worth 18 lakh crore rupees have been reviewed so far, and obstacles hindering their completion have been resolved. Projects being completed on time are having a profoundly positive impact on people's lives. These efforts are accelerating the nation’s progress and strengthening the core values of the Constitution as well.

Friends,

I would like to conclude my speech with the words of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. On this very day, November 26th, in 1949, Dr. Rajendra Prasad during his concluding speech in the Constituent Assembly said, “Bharat today needs nothing more than a group of honest people who will put the country's interest ahead of their own”. The spirit of ‘Nation First, Nation Above All’ will keep Bharat’s Constitution alive for many centuries to come. The work given to me by the Constitution, I have tried to remain within its boundaries, I have not attempted any encroachment. Since the Constitution has entrusted me with this work, I have presented my thoughts while maintaining my limits. Here, a mere hint is enough, there is no need for much more to be said.

Thank you very much.