Matribhumi Samachar English
Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat ji, the popular Chief Minister of the state, Bhupendrabhai Patel, my colleague in the Union cabinet C.R. Patil, all the Governors, Deputy Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, other public representatives joining this event from different parts of the country and my dear brothers and sisters who have come here in large numbers.
How are you all? Is everyone doing well? Please excuse me today, as I will deliver this speech in Hindi, because many friends from other states have joined this event in large numbers. And Hindi works well in Gujarat, right? It works, doesn’t it?
Today, the entire country is immersed in the celebrations of Ganesh Utsav. Ganpati has been installed in homes. Today is also Milad-un-Nabi. Many festivals are being celebrated across different parts of the country. Amidst these celebrations, the celebration of Bharat’s development continues. Here today, projects worth about ₹8,500 crores have been either inaugurated or their foundation stones have been laid, which include projects in railways, roads, metro, and many others. Today, another star has been added to Gujarat’s glory. The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail has also started today, which is going to be a milestone for urban connectivity in Bharat. Thousands of families in Gujarat are also entering their new homes today. The first instalment of funding for pucca houses has been released to thousands of families. I hope that from now on, you will celebrate Navratri, Dussehra, Durga Puja, Dhanteras, Diwali, and all other festivals in your new homes with the same enthusiasm. I wish you a blessed housewarming, and that it gives wings to your dreams. I especially congratulate the thousands of women in whose names these homes are registered. I extend my congratulations to the people of Gujarat and the people of the country for all these development projects.
Friends, amidst this festive atmosphere, there is also a pain. Many regions of Gujarat have been hit by heavy rains simultaneously this year. For the first time in history, we have witnessed such widespread, intense rainfall in such a short span of time. This situation has arisen not just in isolated places but across every corner of Gujarat, and as a result, we have lost many loved ones. There has been significant damage to life and property. Both the central and state governments are working to provide all possible relief to the affected. I wish for a speedy recovery for those friends who are undergoing treatment.
Friends,
This is my first visit to Gujarat after taking the oath for the third time as Prime Minister, my first visit among all of you. Gujarat is my birthplace; Gujarat has taught me all the lessons of life. You have always showered me with love. And when a son returns home, and receives blessings from his own people, he gets new energy. His enthusiasm and spirit soar higher. I consider it a great fortune as you have come here in such a large number to give blessings.
Friends,
I am also aware of your expectations. I used to get messages from different corners, time and again. You wanted me to come to you as soon as possible after taking the oath for the third time. And it’s natural – after 60 years, the people of this country have created a new history. A government has been given the opportunity to serve the country for the third consecutive term. This is a great event in Bharat’s democracy, and therefore, it is natural for Gujarat to feel that “Narendra Bhai is ours, and he should come to Gujarat immediately.” Your sentiment is valid. But you are the ones who sent me to Delhi with the resolve that the nation comes first. During the Lok Sabha elections, I gave you – the people of this country – a guarantee. I said that unprecedented decisions will be taken for the country in the first 100 days of the third term. In these 100 days, I worked day and night to fulfil this agenda, leaving no stone unturned. Whether within the country or abroad, wherever efforts were needed, they were made – nothing was left incomplete. And you must have seen how various kinds of things started happening in the last 100 days. During this time, they began mocking me… making fun of Modi… presenting all sorts of arguments and counterarguments. They were enjoying it, and people were surprised, wondering, “What is Modi doing? Why is he silent? There’s so much mockery happening… so much insult.”
But my brothers and sisters of Gujarat,
This son was born in the land of Sardar Patel. Bearing every joke, every mockery, every insult, I took a vow and spent these 100 days focused on making policies and decisions for your welfare and the nation’s interest. I had decided to let those who want to mock me, continue doing so. Let them enjoy it, go ahead. And I resolved not to respond to any of those taunts. No matter the jokes, the mockery, or the ridicule, I would not stray from the path of the nation’s welfare. Today, I am happy that by enduring all those insults, the decisions made in these 100 days have ensured the welfare of every citizen, every family, and every section of society. In these 100 days, projects worth more than 15 lakh crore rupees have been initiated. During the elections, I guaranteed the country 3 crore new homes. Work on this guarantee is progressing rapidly. Today, in this program as well, thousands of families in Gujarat have received their own pucca houses. Yesterday, I was in Jharkhand, where thousands of families also received homes. Whether in the village or the city, we are working to provide everyone with better living conditions. Whether it’s providing financial help to urban middle-class families for homes, launching campaigns to provide good rental housing to workers at fair rates, special housing schemes for factory workers, or building new hostels for working women across the country, the government is spending thousands of crores on these projects.
Friends,
A few days ago, a very significant decision was made regarding the health of the poor and the middle class. I had promised you that every elderly person above the age of 70 in the country would receive free treatment worth up to 5 lakh rupees. This guarantee has also been fulfilled. Now, the sons and daughters of the middle class won’t have to worry about the treatment of their parents. Now, your son will take care of that.
Friends,
In these 100 days, major decisions have been made for the employment, self-employment, and skill development of the youth. A special PM package of 2 lakh crore rupees has been announced for the youth. Over 4 crore youth will benefit from this. Now, if a company is giving the youth employment for the first time, the government will provide the funds for the first salary of a young person’s first job in that company. The government has also increased the amount of the Mudra loan scheme, which has brought a new revolution in the field of self-employment and has been very successful. Seeing its success, the previous limit of 10 lakh rupees has been enhanced to 20 lakh rupees.
Friends,
I had guaranteed the mothers and sisters that 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ would be created in the country. Over the past years, 1 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ have already been made. But you will be happy to know that in the first 100 days of my third term, 11 lakh new ‘Lakhpati Didis’ have been created across the country, including Gujarat. Recently, the government has made a significant decision in favour of oilseed farmers. This decision was made to ensure that our oilseed farmers receive more than the increased MSP (Minimum Support Price). To benefit oilseed farmers, duties on oil imports have been increased. This will greatly benefit farmers growing crops like soybean and sunflower. This will also accelerate the mission to make the country self-reliant in edible oils. The government has also lifted the export ban on Basmati rice and onions. As a result, the demand for Indian rice and onions has increased abroad. This decision will also benefit millions of farmers across the country.
Friends,
In the past 100 days, dozens of projects related to rail, road, ports, airports, and metros have been approved. This is also reflected in today’s event, as shown in the video. Many connectivity-related projects in Gujarat have been inaugurated or laid the foundation for today. A short while ago, I travelled by metro to the Gift City station. Many people shared their experiences during this journey. Everyone is happy with the expansion of the Ahmedabad metro. In the past 100 days, decisions have been made to expand metro services in many cities across the country.
Friends,
Today is also special for Gujarat for another reason. From today, the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Ahmedabad and Bhuj has started running. The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will greatly benefit our middle-class families who commute daily between cities. It will provide convenience for those involved in jobs, businesses, and education. In the coming time, many cities across the country will be connected by the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.
Friends,
The rapid expansion of the Vande Bharat trains’ network in the last 100 days has been unprecedented. During this period, more than 15 new routes for Vande Bharat trains have been launched. This means that, in the last 15 weeks, on average, one new Vande Bharat train has been started each week. Just yesterday, I flagged off several Vande Bharat trains from Jharkhand. Today as well, new Vande Bharat trains have started running on routes such as Nagpur-Secunderabad, Kolhapur-Pune, Agra Cantt-Banaras, Durg-Visakhapatnam, and Pune-Hubli. The Vande Bharat train running between Varanasi and New Delhi now has 20 coaches. Today, more than 125 Vande Bharat trains across the country are providing thousands of passengers with a better travel experience every day.
Friends,
We, the people of Gujarat, understand the value of time. This is Bharat’s golden period, Bharat’s ‘Amrit Kaal.’ In the next 25 years, we have to make our country developed, and Gujarat has a significant role in this. Today, Gujarat is becoming a major hub of manufacturing. Gujarat is one of the most well-connected states in Bharat. The day is not far when Gujarat will give Bharat its first Made-in-India transport aircraft, the C-295. Gujarat is also leading the way in the semiconductor mission, which is extraordinary. Today, Gujarat has some of the best universities, whether in Petroleum, Forensics, or Wellness. There are excellent opportunities in Gujarat for studying modern subjects, and even foreign universities are opening their campuses here. Gujarat is making waves across the world from culture to agriculture. Crops and grains that we couldn’t even imagine are now being exported from Gujarat to foreign countries. And who made all of this possible? Who brought this transformation in Gujarat?
Friends,
It is the hardworking people of Gujarat who have brought about this transformation. A whole generation has passed, working tirelessly for the development of Gujarat. Now, from here, we must take Gujarat to new heights. You will remember that in my recent address from the Red Fort, I spoke about the quality of products made in Bharat. When we say something is ‘export quality,’ we often imply that products not being exported might not be of the same high quality. That’s why we call it ‘export quality’. We need to come out of this mindset. I want Gujarat to establish a great reputation for its best-quality products, both in Bharat and worldwide.
Friends,
Today, the way Bharat is working with new resolutions, the world is praising our country. In recent times, I had the opportunity to represent Bharat on various large international platforms in numerous countries. You must have also seen how much respect Bharat is receiving worldwide. Everyone welcomes Bharat and Indians with open arms. Everyone wants to establish good relations with Bharat. If there is a crisis or problem anywhere, people turn to Bharat for solutions. The way the people of Bharat have continuously chosen a stable government for the third time and the way Bharat is rapidly developing have increased the world’s expectations of us. It is the unwavering trust of 140 crore Indians that allows me to stand tall with pride and assure the world of our nation’s strength. The growing trust in Bharat directly benefits our farmers and youth. As the world’s trust in Bharat increases, the demand for our skilled youth rises. As the trust in Bharat increases, our exports grow, and more investment comes into the country. As the trust in Bharat increases, foreign investors choose to invest in Bharat and set up factories here.
Brothers and sisters,
On one hand, every Indian wants to become a brand ambassador for the country and is working towards enhancing its potential. On the other hand, some people filled with negativity are working against the country. They are attacking the unity of the country. Sardar Patel united over 500 princely states to integrate Bharat. These power-hungry people want to break Bharat into pieces. You must have heard that these people are now saying they will bring back Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. They want to reintroduce the rule of two constitutions and two legislations in Jammu and Kashmir. To appease certain groups, they are willing to go to any extent. Filled with hatred, these people leave no opportunity to defame Bharat. They are also continuously targeting Gujarat. Therefore, Gujarat must remain alert and keep an eye on these people.
Friends,
Bharat, on the path to becoming a developed nation, will stand firm against such forces. Bharat no longer has time to lose. We must enhance Bharat’s reputation and ensure a life of dignity for every Indian. I know Gujarat will lead in this as well. We will achieve every goal with all our efforts. Today, with the enthusiasm and blessings you are giving me, I will move forward with new energy and live with a renewed spirit. I will dedicate every moment of my life for you and for your dreams. I have no other wish or ambition other than your well-being, your success, and realizing your dreams. You, the people of Bharat, are my deity. I have decided to dedicate myself to the worship of this deity, to offer my life in this service. Therefore, friends, I will live for you, struggle for you, and give my all for you. Bless me. With the blessings of millions of people, I will continue living with new confidence, enthusiasm, and courage for the dreams of 140 crore Indians. Thank you for coming in such large numbers to bless me. Though I came to Gujarat last evening after a long time, your love continues to grow, and my resolve becomes even stronger.
