For me, the people of this country are my family: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | May 27, 2018 | 18:50 IST
The expressways will greatly benefit people of Delhi NCR by reducing pollution and will bring down traffic jams: PM Modi
To uplift the lives of 125 crore Indians, it is necessary that we develop modern infrastructure: PM Modi
We are promoting domestic manufacturing through Make in India initiative, says PM Modi
We are working to empower the women. Through Ujjwala and Mudra Yojana, a positive change has been brought in the lives of women: PM Modi
We are developing five places associated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as Panchteerth; we are strengthening the Dalits and the marginalised: PM Modi
Opposition mocks the steps we undertake to empower the weaker sections and women. What they do well is spreading lies among people: PM

Victory to Mother India!

My dear brothers and sisters who are present here in large numbers,

Four years ago you gave me an opportunity to serve the country with your immense support. It is evident that our government has been successful in leading the country in the right direction, from the fact that you all have come here in such large numbers to shower your blessings in the scorching heat of the sun in the month of May.

Brothers and sisters,

The love and affection shown by you is a result of the satisfaction of the master with his servant. On the completion of 4 years of the NDA Government under the leadership of BJP, this Prime Servant once again bows down to the 125 crore Indians and welcomes you.

Friends,

Today is an important day for the people of Baghpat in West Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR. Two major road projects have been dedicated - the first phase of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the second Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Rs. 11000 crore was spent on Eastern Peripheral Expressway while about Rs. 850 crore has been spent on the recent part of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. This entire project costs about Rs. 5000 crores. Today, when I had the opportunity to walk on this new road, I realized that the 14-lane journey is going to make the life of people of Delhi NCR much smoother. A modern technique has been used and concrete has been merged with greenery.

Brothers and sisters,

It took only 18 months to complete this work. Today the 14-lane, 9 kilometre stretch has been inaugurated. However, the 9 kilometre stretch is also of great importance and the people of Patparganj, Mayur Vihar, Gaziabad, Indirapuram, Vaishali and Noida are well aware of it. The second phase of this expressway up to Meerut will also be completed at the same pace like this 9km stretch of road. After its completion, the distance between Meerut and Delhi can be covered in just 40-45 minutes.

Friends,

Delhi NCR is faced with not only traffic jam and congestion but also heavy pollution which is taking a monstrous form every year. One of the major reasons of pollution in Delhi is the vehicles entering Delhi and the subsequent long traffic jams. Taking this problem seriously, our government has planned to lay down expressways around Delhi. It will be done in 2 phases. I got the opportunity to inaugurate its first phase i.e. the Eastern Peripheral Expressway just a moment back.

Brothers and sisters,

This expressway will reduce the number of vehicles entering Delhi by almost 30%. Those vehicles will pass through the outskirts. A system has been created by which not only the large vehicles and trucks but also the 50 thousand cars will not have to enter Delhi. Moreover, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway is the first expressway in the country, which is Access-Controlled Raw Green Field Expressway. This road has been constructed in just 500 days. These 2 massive projects are now ready at your service and are laced with latest technology. The energy needs will also be fulfilled by solar energy. This means, it will save time and fuel and will reduce pollution. It will also be easy now to transport milk, vegetables and grains from Western UP to Delhi.

Brothers and sisters,

Modern Infrastructure plays a significant role in raising the standard of living of the 125 crore people. This opens up the path towards 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'; because infrastructure doesn't discriminate between caste, creed, sect and the rich and the poor. This creates equal opportunities for everyone. Therefore, our government has given main thrust of its attention to infrastructure related to highways, railways, airway, waterway and power.

Friends,

We have spent more than 3 lakh crores in creating more than 28000 kilometres of new highways in the last 4 years. I want you all and my countrymen to hear it carefully. Until 4 years ago, Highways were constructed at the rate of 12km per day. While today, the highways are constructed at the rate of 27km per day. Under the Bharat Mala project, a provision of RS.5 Lakh crore has been made in this year's budget. Under this, highways of about 35 thousand kilometer are being constructed. Moreover, work is being done at an unprecedented rate not only in constructing highways but also in railways. A widespread network of railways is being laid down in areas that were not connected with railway network before. We are doubling up our efforts to change single lines into double lines and metre-gauge to broad-guage. Speed of trains is also being increased. We have removed about 5500 unmanned crossings in the last four years.

Brothers and sisters,

A new UDAN scheme has been launched to make air travel cheaper and to open up new air routes. Last year, about one crore people traveled by airways; this is more than the number of people who traveled in the air-conditioned coaches of the railways. I am telling you the story of the last 4 years. We are working on our dream so that even a person wearing slippers will be able to afford air travel. We are also emphasizing upon utilizing the country's potential in waterways to the optimum level. More than 100 waterways will soon come up across the country. Today Ships are sailing in river Ganga in UP. UP is going to be directly linked to the sea through river Ganga. Soon the large cargo ships will be able to reach the major ports of the country. Just like the river Ganga, a new scheme is being prepared for the river Yamuna.

Friends,

Wherever new transportation systems are being set up, new opportunities for industrial development are also being opened up. Keeping this in mind, we have announced the development of a new Defence industrial corridor in UP in this year's budget. This corridor will extend to Agra, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi and Chitrakoot. These corridors alone will create new jobs for nearly two and a half lakh people.

Friends,

Everything for building a New India is being done on the basis of expectations of the youth and the middle class. Work is progressing at a rapid pace under the Bharat Net Plan for connecting every village of the country with internet. You can clearly see the pace at which our government is working. Just as I have given you the comparative figures for Highway development, I would like to give you another figure which is worth noting. The UPA government led by Congress could manage to connect only 59 or approximately 60 Panchayats with Optical Fibre network in four years of their tenure while we have connected more than 1 lakh Panchayats. On one hand less than 60 villages and on the other more than 1 lakh villages in four years! The country can clearly see how the work is being done. Make in India is giving an impetus to the manufacturing sector. Four years ago, there were only 2 factories for manufacturing cell phones in India. Now see for yourself where we have reached today. You will be glad to know that at that time only 2 factories manufactured mobile phones, while today 120 factories manufacture mobile phones out of which several are located within NCR. It has provided jobs to many youngsters. Some of them might be present here today.

Friends,

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise or the MSMEs play significant role in manufacturing. The MSME sector provides the largest opportunities for employment after the agricultural sector. In UP there is a network of nearly 50 lakh small enterprises. The centre and the Uttar Pradesh government are working together to further expand these industries. The central government has also given a huge tax relief to the MSME sector. The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a major initiative under Yogi ji. The ‘One District One Product’ scheme is significant in this case. The central government has prepared a road map for its contribution to the UP government's efforts in Skill India Mission, stand-up India and Start-up India Mission and Prime Minister's Employment Generation Scheme.

Friends,

Quality business and trade is possible only when an apt security system is in place. The people of West Uttar Pradesh are witnesses to the situation of the past. Today, under the leadership of Yogi ji, criminals are surrendering to the authority. The criminals are taking vows of not committing any crime in the future. I would like to congratulate both Yogi ji and Manoharlal ji for this. They have done a commendable job in UP and Haryana respectively in improving the law and order situation of both the states. They have linked the criminal tracking system amazingly! Earlier the criminals used to commit a crime here and hid in the other state or vice versa. However, today they have shut down all the paths of the criminals for such mischief. I congratulate both of them.

Brothers and sisters,

We are prioritizing women’s empowerment. 7.5 crore toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission and 4 crore gas connections under Ujjwala Yojana have made the lives of the women easy. 75% of the approximate 13 crore loans have been given to women entrepreneurs under Mudra Yojana. Can anyone imagine that 75% of the 13 crore loans raised is by the daughters, sisters and mothers of our country? In the last four years, we have honoured our women and empowered them.

Friends,

Apart from women, we have also taken several important steps in the past four years such as self-employment or social security for empowering the Dalits, oppressed and backward classes of the country. More than half of the loan was given to the Dalits and backward classes under the Mudra Yojana. The Dalit and women entrepreneurs have also benefited from the Stand-up India mission. It is an honour for our government that we have developed 5 places associated with the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar as Panch-Teerth or 5 centres of pilgrimage.

Friends,

I can assert with my experience that those who are selfish are engaged in politics of crocodile-tears or populist politics. On the other hand, the one who is in reality concerned about the problems of the Dalits, oppressed and the deprived section of the society engages him in welfare politics and not the populist one. Apart from providing opportunities, we have also taken several important decisions for providing justice and safety to my Dalit and backward brothers and sisters in the last four years.

We have made the laws related to atrocities against Dalits and tribals even more stringent. We have extended the list of number of atrocities against Dalits from 22 different crimes to 47. A Special Court is being set up for speedy trial of cases related to atrocities against Dalits.

Brothers and sisters,

We have decided to form a commission for sub-categorization of backward castes. The government wants to provide better facilities of reservation within the framework to those who are even more backward within OBC in the government and educational Institutions. Therefore, we have formed this Commission for sub-categorization of OBCs.

Friends,

The government is also willing to provide a constitutional status to the OBC commission. The OBC community has been demanding it for the past 25 years. But the UPA government didn't bother about it. We have framed the law instead. We have framed important laws in the Parliament to provide constitutional status to the OBC commission. But the Congress and its allies were not supporting it. Therefore, they stood as an obstacle. Therefore, the law is still pending in the Parliament. But I assure the OBC community that the steps taken by Modi will definitely be fulfilled.

Brothers and sisters,

The fact is that Congress and its allies always create obstacles for anything done for the welfare of the poor, the Dalits, backward classes and tribals. They even take the development of the country as a mockery. They take the Swachh Bharat Mission as a joke and the toilets constructed for the poor women as a joke. They even made fun of the fact that our government was providing free gas connections to the poor women. The people with the anti-poor mentality also made fun of the fact that we were providing the poor with bank accounts. These people who are used to nepotism believe that anything done for the poor is a joke. People who tear and throw away the cabinet papers do not believe in showing respect for laws passed by the Parliament with majority.

Today, the people are watching that for political benefits they are blatantly lying even upon the orders of the Supreme Court. They don't even think about the instability that could possibly be created due to their lies. They are spreading rumors and misleading the people about reservation or the laws related to atrocities against the Dalits. I have heard that they are spreading a new lie among the people and probably it has reached the people of this area. They are spreading this rumour among the farmers that 18% GST will be imposed on those farmers who will give his farm on contract or for share-cropping. I request the losing party to put a limit to their dirty politics. Such an extent of spreading lies! They are misleading my country's farmers. You don't know the extent of sin that you are committing. I request my farmer brothers and sisters not to pay any attention to such rumours and should complaint against those spreading these rumours. I promise you that those who spread such lies will be tackled by the law.

Friends,

Our government is working upon the concept of 'Gramoday Se Bharat Uday'. My country's farmers, small workers of the villages and the agricultural labourers are the focus of the concept of 'Gramoday'. A provision of 14 lakh crore Rupees has been made to strengthen the infrastructure related to village and farming in this year's budget.

Moreover, schemes like 100% Neem coating of urea, Pradhan Mantri Sinchai Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, have benefitted the farmers and given them reassurance. Our government has decided to provide 1.5 times of the support price of the cost to the farmers. I also congratulate both the Chief Ministers for framing laws according to which maximum products will be purchased from the farmers under the new MSE rules. They have broken all the past records. I congratulate both the Chief Ministers and both the governments dedicated to the farmers.

We are working on the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana which is worth an investment of 6000 crores to prevent the wastage of food grains on the way to the markets from the farms. This scheme is going to benefit the potato producing farmers of the west UP the most. In this budget, a new scheme called 'Operation Green' has been announced which is related to new supply chain system. This will prove to be highly beneficial for the farmers producing fruits, flowers and vegetables.

Brothers and sisters,

Modern techniques like organic farming, apiculture, solar farms etc. are being promoted. Detailed schemes are being framed so that the farmers engaged in these sub-sectors of agriculture can easily avail loans.

Our government is also taking steps for the sugarcane farmers. Last year we had increased the support price of sugarcane by about 11%. This directly benefitted 5 crore sugarcane farmers. Making revolutionary changes in the country's ethanol policy, 10% blending of ethanol with petrol has been approved. Recently a major decision has been taken so that the amount due to the sugarcane farmers is not delayed by the sugar Mills. The government has decided to provide a subsidy of Rs.5 and 50 paise per quintal of sugarcane to the sugar mills. But this subsidy will not be given to the owners of the sugar mills. We are well aware of its misuse. Instead of giving the subsidy to the sugar mills, this amount will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the sugarcane farmers. In this way, the amount meant for the farmers will not be stuck with the sugar mills. I want to assure the sugarcane farmers here that the government is sensitive towards their problems and is committed to resolving them with stringent measures.

Brothers and sisters,

We are also preparing our cities for the 21st century along with the development of our villages. The infrastructure of the cities is being strengthened with schemes like Smart Cities Mission and AMRIT Yojana. We are making extensive efforts so as to provide houses to the lower and middle income classes living in the cities. We are progressing at a rapid pace in this area compared to the Congress governments. In 10 years i.e. between 2004 and 2014, approximately 13.5 lakh houses were approved for construction in the urban areas whereas in the last four years we have approved 46 lakh houses and have reached almost 50 lakhs. We have done 3 times more work than the Congress. Congress had handed over the keys of 5.5 lakh houses in 10 years in urban areas whereas our government has handed over the keys of more than 8 lakh houses in urban areas within 4 years.

Brothers and sisters,

Urban infrastructure is also being prepared to handle the challenges of growing population. We have seen that 38 years of rule by a single family has led to unplanned growth in urban areas. We know where the problem lies. There was no proper system of removing the sewer from the cities or for water treatment. Our rivers are carrying garbage from the cities and depositing them in the seas. Our mother Ganga, in particular, is bearing the brunt of growing population and industrial pollution. Therefore, our government has started the Namami Gange programme. The government has not only emphasized upon cleanliness of Ganges but also is trying to ensure that no garbage is dumped into the river. So far, more than 200 projects of about 21000 crore Rupees have been approved by the government. Besides, Villages located on the banks of river Ganga are being made Open Defecation Free on a priority basis. Several villages of the 5 states viz. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal through which mother Ganges flows, have been successful in this mission.

Friends,

Several major Initiatives have been taken for cleaning the Ganga in the past. However, this government not merely talks about things but works to prove it. This is our work culture. This is our capital. We are ensuring that every penny of the public's hard earned money is spent on them. Therefore, we are trying to ensure that the sewage treatment plants that are being constructed should work properly because it was the culture of the Congress to construct sewage treatment plants that didn't work up to its maximum capacity. Moreover, those stopped working after a short span of time. Efforts are being made to remove this Congress culture from the projects related to mother Ganga.

Friends,

It is being ensured that the plants that are being built will work keeping in mind the needs that will arise 15 years later. Thus, our aim is not only to construct sewage treatment plants but also to run them smoothly.

Brothers and sisters,

Those who have deceived the country's poor, middle class, farmers and youth for 70 years have become frustrated to see the people's trust on the NDA government. This huge wave of people after four years is giving them sleepless nights. The fact is that they neither trusted the country's democracy nor the institutions under the constitution. Their mentality has been revealed completely in the last four years. The country has seen in the last few days how they have threatened the faith in the apex court.

The country is well aware of how they had questioned the Election Commission of India and the EVMs. They have also questioned the Reserve Bank of India and their policies. They have committed the sin of creating a crisis of faith in these Institutions. They are also questioning the agencies that are investigating their scams. Moreover, they even consider the media as biased.

Brothers and sisters,

Those who are worshippers of that one family can never worship democracy. They have even failed to acknowledge the courage of the Indian army during the surgical strike. When international agencies praise India, they cannot even digest that. They even question the same agencies that produced statistics for their government and are providing new statistics for the present government showing its better performance. They question and criticize even when a foreign guest comes and praises India.

Friends,

You and I know the cause of their frustration very well. It is quite obvious to be frustrated when the people lose trust in them. However, I didn't expect them to oppose the country while opposing Modi. But when someone has your faith and blessings i.e. the blessings of 125 Crore Indians then he will never get tired or stop ever.

Friends, my countrymen,

You can evaluate both the sides yourself. On that side are the people for whom their family is their country, while for me the country is my family. The 125 crore people of this country are my family members. I just have your blessings, love and trust to earn. I just have one work which is, serving the 125 crore countrymen. Our resolution of 'Shreshtha Bharat' will be strengthened by your cooperation. I thank you for coming here in such large numbers. The road that has been inaugurated today is an example of what the 21st century India will look like. Its significance is thus not limited to this area alone.

Thanks a lot!

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Respected Dignitaries…!

आप सभी को, सभी देशवासियों को और विशेषकर दुनिया भर में उपस्थित ईसाई समुदाय को क्रिसमस की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं, ‘Merry Christmas’ !!!

अभी तीन-चार दिन पहले मैं अपने साथी भारत सरकार में मंत्री जॉर्ज कुरियन जी के यहां क्रिसमस सेलीब्रेशन में गया था। अब आज आपके बीच उपस्थित होने का आनंद मिल रहा है। Catholic Bishops Conference of India- CBCI का ये आयोजन क्रिसमस की खुशियों में आप सबके साथ जुड़ने का ये अवसर, ये दिन हम सबके लिए यादगार रहने वाला है। ये अवसर इसलिए भी खास है, क्योंकि इसी वर्ष CBCI की स्थापना के 80 वर्ष पूरे हो रहे हैं। मैं इस अवसर पर CBCI और उससे जुड़े सभी लोगों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूँ।

साथियों,

पिछली बार आप सभी के साथ मुझे प्रधानमंत्री निवास पर क्रिसमस मनाने का अवसर मिला था। अब आज हम सभी CBCI के परिसर में इकट्ठा हुए हैं। मैं पहले भी ईस्टर के दौरान यहाँ Sacred Heart Cathedral Church आ चुका हूं। ये मेरा सौभाग्य है कि मुझे आप सबसे इतना अपनापन मिला है। इतना ही स्नेह मुझे His Holiness Pope Francis से भी मिलता है। इसी साल इटली में G7 समिट के दौरान मुझे His Holiness Pope Francis से मिलने का अवसर मिला था। पिछले 3 वर्षों में ये हमारी दूसरी मुलाकात थी। मैंने उन्हें भारत आने का निमंत्रण भी दिया है। इसी तरह, सितंबर में न्यूयॉर्क दौरे पर कार्डिनल पीट्रो पैरोलिन से भी मेरी मुलाकात हुई थी। ये आध्यात्मिक मुलाक़ात, ये spiritual talks, इनसे जो ऊर्जा मिलती है, वो सेवा के हमारे संकल्प को और मजबूत बनाती है।

साथियों,

अभी मुझे His Eminence Cardinal जॉर्ज कुवाकाड से मिलने का और उन्हें सम्मानित करने का अवसर मिला है। कुछ ही हफ्ते पहले, His Eminence Cardinal जॉर्ज कुवाकाड को His Holiness Pope Francis ने कार्डिनल की उपाधि से सम्मानित किया है। इस आयोजन में भारत सरकार ने केंद्रीय मंत्री जॉर्ज कुरियन के नेतृत्व में आधिकारिक रूप से एक हाई लेवल डेलिगेशन भी वहां भेजा था। जब भारत का कोई बेटा सफलता की इस ऊंचाई पर पहुंचता है, तो पूरे देश को गर्व होना स्वभाविक है। मैं Cardinal जॉर्ज कुवाकाड को फिर एक बार बधाई देता हूं, शुभकामनाएं देता हूं।

साथियों,

आज आपके बीच आया हूं तो कितना कुछ याद आ रहा है। मेरे लिए वो बहुत संतोष के क्षण थे, जब हम एक दशक पहले फादर एलेक्सिस प्रेम कुमार को युद्ध-ग्रस्त अफगानिस्तान से सुरक्षित बचाकर वापस लाए थे। वो 8 महीने तक वहां बड़ी विपत्ति में फंसे हुए थे, बंधक बने हुए थे। हमारी सरकार ने उन्हें वहां से निकालने के लिए हर संभव प्रयास किया। अफ़ग़ानिस्तान के उन हालातों में ये कितना मुश्किल रहा होगा, आप अंदाजा लगा सकते हैं। लेकिन, हमें इसमें सफलता मिली। उस समय मैंने उनसे और उनके परिवार के सदस्यों से बात भी की थी। उनकी बातचीत को, उनकी उस खुशी को मैं कभी भूल नहीं सकता। इसी तरह, हमारे फादर टॉम यमन में बंधक बना दिए गए थे। हमारी सरकार ने वहाँ भी पूरी ताकत लगाई, और हम उन्हें वापस घर लेकर आए। मैंने उन्हें भी अपने घर पर आमंत्रित किया था। जब गल्फ देशों में हमारी नर्स बहनें संकट से घिर गई थीं, तो भी पूरा देश उनकी चिंता कर रहा था। उन्हें भी घर वापस लाने का हमारा अथक प्रयास रंग लाया। हमारे लिए ये प्रयास केवल diplomatic missions नहीं थे। ये हमारे लिए एक इमोशनल कमिटमेंट था, ये अपने परिवार के किसी सदस्य को बचाकर लाने का मिशन था। भारत की संतान, दुनिया में कहीं भी हो, किसी भी विपत्ति में हो, आज का भारत, उन्हें हर संकट से बचाकर लाता है, इसे अपना कर्तव्य समझता है।

साथियों,

भारत अपनी विदेश नीति में भी National-interest के साथ-साथ Human-interest को प्राथमिकता देता है। कोरोना के समय पूरी दुनिया ने इसे देखा भी, और महसूस भी किया। कोरोना जैसी इतनी बड़ी pandemic आई, दुनिया के कई देश, जो human rights और मानवता की बड़ी-बड़ी बातें करते हैं, जो इन बातों को diplomatic weapon के रूप में इस्तेमाल करते हैं, जरूरत पड़ने पर वो गरीब और छोटे देशों की मदद से पीछे हट गए। उस समय उन्होंने केवल अपने हितों की चिंता की। लेकिन, भारत ने परमार्थ भाव से अपने सामर्थ्य से भी आगे जाकर कितने ही देशों की मदद की। हमने दुनिया के 150 से ज्यादा देशों में दवाइयाँ पहुंचाईं, कई देशों को वैक्सीन भेजी। इसका पूरी दुनिया पर एक बहुत सकारात्मक असर भी पड़ा। अभी हाल ही में, मैं गयाना दौरे पर गया था, कल मैं कुवैत में था। वहां ज्यादातर लोग भारत की बहुत प्रशंसा कर रहे थे। भारत ने वैक्सीन देकर उनकी मदद की थी, और वो इसका बहुत आभार जता रहे थे। भारत के लिए ऐसी भावना रखने वाला गयाना अकेला देश नहीं है। कई island nations, Pacific nations, Caribbean nations भारत की प्रशंसा करते हैं। भारत की ये भावना, मानवता के लिए हमारा ये समर्पण, ये ह्यूमन सेंट्रिक अप्रोच ही 21वीं सदी की दुनिया को नई ऊंचाई पर ले जाएगी।

Friends,

The teachings of Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony and brotherhood. It is important that we all work to make this spirit stronger. But, it pains my heart when there are attempts to spread violence and cause disruption in society. Just a few days ago, we saw what happened at a Christmas Market in Germany. During Easter in 2019, Churches in Sri Lanka were attacked. I went to Colombo to pay homage to those we lost in the Bombings. It is important to come together and fight such challenges.

Friends,

This Christmas is even more special as you begin the Jubilee Year, which you all know holds special significance. I wish all of you the very best for the various initiatives for the Jubilee Year. This time, for the Jubilee Year, you have picked a theme which revolves around hope. The Holy Bible sees hope as a source of strength and peace. It says: "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." We are also guided by hope and positivity. Hope for humanity, Hope for a better world and Hope for peace, progress and prosperity.

साथियों,

बीते 10 साल में हमारे देश में 25 करोड़ लोगों ने गरीबी को परास्त किया है। ये इसलिए हुआ क्योंकि गरीबों में एक उम्मीद जगी, की हां, गरीबी से जंग जीती जा सकती है। बीते 10 साल में भारत 10वें नंबर की इकोनॉमी से 5वें नंबर की इकोनॉमी बन गया। ये इसलिए हुआ क्योंकि हमने खुद पर भरोसा किया, हमने उम्मीद नहीं हारी और इस लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करके दिखाया। भारत की 10 साल की विकास यात्रा ने हमें आने वाले साल और हमारे भविष्य के लिए नई Hope दी है, ढेर सारी नई उम्मीदें दी हैं। 10 साल में हमारे यूथ को वो opportunities मिली हैं, जिनके कारण उनके लिए सफलता का नया रास्ता खुला है। Start-ups से लेकर science तक, sports से entrepreneurship तक आत्मविश्वास से भरे हमारे नौजवान देश को प्रगति के नए रास्ते पर ले जा रहे हैं। हमारे नौजवानों ने हमें ये Confidence दिया है, य़े Hope दी है कि विकसित भारत का सपना पूरा होकर रहेगा। बीते दस सालों में, देश की महिलाओं ने Empowerment की नई गाथाएं लिखी हैं। Entrepreneurship से drones तक, एरो-प्लेन उड़ाने से लेकर Armed Forces की जिम्मेदारियों तक, ऐसा कोई क्षेत्र नहीं, जहां महिलाओं ने अपना परचम ना लहराया हो। दुनिया का कोई भी देश, महिलाओं की तरक्की के बिना आगे नहीं बढ़ सकता। और इसलिए, आज जब हमारी श्रमशक्ति में, Labour Force में, वर्किंग प्रोफेशनल्स में Women Participation बढ़ रहा है, तो इससे भी हमें हमारे भविष्य को लेकर बहुत उम्मीदें मिलती हैं, नई Hope जगती है।

बीते 10 सालों में देश बहुत सारे unexplored या under-explored sectors में आगे बढ़ा है। Mobile Manufacturing हो या semiconductor manufacturing हो, भारत तेजी से पूरे Manufacturing Landscape में अपनी जगह बना रहा है। चाहे टेक्लोलॉजी हो, या फिनटेक हो भारत ना सिर्फ इनसे गरीब को नई शक्ति दे रहा है, बल्कि खुद को दुनिया के Tech Hub के रूप में स्थापित भी कर रहा है। हमारा Infrastructure Building Pace भी अभूतपूर्व है। हम ना सिर्फ हजारों किलोमीटर एक्सप्रेसवे बना रहे हैं, बल्कि अपने गांवों को भी ग्रामीण सड़कों से जोड़ रहे हैं। अच्छे ट्रांसपोर्टेशन के लिए सैकड़ों किलोमीटर के मेट्रो रूट्स बन रहे हैं। भारत की ये सारी उपलब्धियां हमें ये Hope और Optimism देती हैं कि भारत अपने लक्ष्यों को बहुत तेजी से पूरा कर सकता है। और सिर्फ हम ही अपनी उपलब्धियों में इस आशा और विश्वास को नहीं देख रहे हैं, पूरा विश्व भी भारत को इसी Hope और Optimism के साथ देख रहा है।

साथियों,

बाइबल कहती है- Carry each other’s burdens. यानी, हम एक दूसरे की चिंता करें, एक दूसरे के कल्याण की भावना रखें। इसी सोच के साथ हमारे संस्थान और संगठन, समाज सेवा में एक बहुत बड़ी भूमिका निभाते हैं। शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में नए स्कूलों की स्थापना हो, हर वर्ग, हर समाज को शिक्षा के जरिए आगे बढ़ाने के प्रयास हों, स्वास्थ्य के क्षेत्र में सामान्य मानवी की सेवा के संकल्प हों, हम सब इन्हें अपनी ज़िम्मेदारी मानते हैं।

साथियों,

Jesus Christ ने दुनिया को करुणा और निस्वार्थ सेवा का रास्ता दिखाया है। हम क्रिसमस को सेलिब्रेट करते हैं और जीसस को याद करते हैं, ताकि हम इन मूल्यों को अपने जीवन में उतार सकें, अपने कर्तव्यों को हमेशा प्राथमिकता दें। मैं मानता हूँ, ये हमारी व्यक्तिगत ज़िम्मेदारी भी है, सामाजिक दायित्व भी है, और as a nation भी हमारी duty है। आज देश इसी भावना को, ‘सबका साथ, सबका विकास और सबका प्रयास’ के संकल्प के रूप में आगे बढ़ा रहा है। ऐसे कितने ही विषय थे, जिनके बारे में पहले कभी नहीं सोचा गया, लेकिन वो मानवीय दृष्टिकोण से सबसे ज्यादा जरूरी थे। हमने उन्हें हमारी प्राथमिकता बनाया। हमने सरकार को नियमों और औपचारिकताओं से बाहर निकाला। हमने संवेदनशीलता को एक पैरामीटर के रूप में सेट किया। हर गरीब को पक्का घर मिले, हर गाँव में बिजली पहुंचे, लोगों के जीवन से अंधेरा दूर हो, लोगों को पीने के लिए साफ पानी मिले, पैसे के अभाव में कोई इलाज से वंचित न रहे, हमने एक ऐसी संवेदनशील व्यवस्था बनाई जो इस तरह की सर्विस की, इस तरह की गवर्नेंस की गारंटी दे सके।

आप कल्पना कर सकते हैं, जब एक गरीब परिवार को ये गारंटी मिलती हैं तो उसके ऊपर से कितनी बड़ी चिंता का बोझ उतरता है। पीएम आवास योजना का घर जब परिवार की महिला के नाम पर बनाया जाता है, तो उससे महिलाओं को कितनी ताकत मिलती है। हमने तो महिलाओं के सशक्तिकरण के लिए नारीशक्ति वंदन अधिनियम लाकर संसद में भी उनकी ज्यादा भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की है। इसी तरह, आपने देखा होगा, पहले हमारे यहाँ दिव्यांग समाज को कैसी कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ता था। उन्हें ऐसे नाम से बुलाया जाता था, जो हर तरह से मानवीय गरिमा के खिलाफ था। ये एक समाज के रूप में हमारे लिए अफसोस की बात थी। हमारी सरकार ने उस गलती को सुधारा। हमने उन्हें दिव्यांग, ये पहचान देकर के सम्मान का भाव प्रकट किया। आज देश पब्लिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर से लेकर रोजगार तक हर क्षेत्र में दिव्यांगों को प्राथमिकता दे रहा है।

साथियों,

सरकार में संवेदनशीलता देश के आर्थिक विकास के लिए भी उतनी ही जरूरी होती है। जैसे कि, हमारे देश में करीब 3 करोड़ fishermen हैं और fish farmers हैं। लेकिन, इन करोड़ों लोगों के बारे में पहले कभी उस तरह से नहीं सोचा गया। हमने fisheries के लिए अलग से ministry बनाई। मछलीपालकों को किसान क्रेडिट कार्ड जैसी सुविधाएं देना शुरू किया। हमने मत्स्य सम्पदा योजना शुरू की। समंदर में मछलीपालकों की सुरक्षा के लिए कई आधुनिक प्रयास किए गए। इन प्रयासों से करोड़ों लोगों का जीवन भी बदला, और देश की अर्थव्यवस्था को भी बल मिला।

Friends,

From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I had spoken of Sabka Prayas. It means collective effort. Each one of us has an important role to play in the nation’s future. When people come together, we can do wonders. Today, socially conscious Indians are powering many mass movements. Swachh Bharat helped build a cleaner India. It also impacted health outcomes of women and children. Millets or Shree Anna grown by our farmers are being welcomed across our country and the world. People are becoming Vocal for Local, encouraging artisans and industries. एक पेड़ माँ के नाम, meaning ‘A Tree for Mother’ has also become popular among the people. This celebrates Mother Nature as well as our Mother. Many people from the Christian community are also active in these initiatives. I congratulate our youth, including those from the Christian community, for taking the lead in such initiatives. Such collective efforts are important to fulfil the goal of building a Developed India.

साथियों,

मुझे विश्वास है, हम सबके सामूहिक प्रयास हमारे देश को आगे बढ़ाएँगे। विकसित भारत, हम सभी का लक्ष्य है और हमें इसे मिलकर पाना है। ये आने वाली पीढ़ियों के प्रति हमारा दायित्व है कि हम उन्हें एक उज्ज्वल भारत देकर जाएं। मैं एक बार फिर आप सभी को क्रिसमस और जुबली ईयर की बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं, शुभकामनाएं देता हूं।

बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।