On the 16th of November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the 100th anniversary of Hindustan Times. He delivered the inaugural keynote address and also unveiled a special commemorative stamp to celebrate the newspaper’s remarkable legacy. In his keynote address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Prime Minister Modi touched on many social issues.
Here are the key highlights of his address–
Terrorism– Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking on terrorism in India highlighted that terrorists now feel unsafe even in their own homes. He mentioned that he came across reports of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack at an exhibition earlier today. He reflected on how, during that period, terrorism instilled a sense of insecurity among the people of India. But in this New India, it is the terrorists who are feeling unsafe.
Notably, PM Modi’s remarks come against the backdrop that several anti-India elements and dreaded terrorists who had plotted attacks on India had been dropping dead like flies outside India. In the majority of these cases, “unknown gunmen” were blamed for these mysterious deaths/killings/assassinations. While Western nations led by Canada-US, in cohort with Western Press, have alleged that the Modi government is carrying out these “hits” in an organised bid to target anti-India elements including terrorists and Khalistani extremists, the Indian government has rejected “unsubstantiated” and “absurd” allegations.
Vote Bank Politics– At the summit, PM Narendra Modi also highlighted that, unlike previous administrations, the BJP government has refrained from engaging in vote-bank politics and has focused on the nation’s development. He said, “Our government has established a clear vision, steering clear of vote-bank politics and operating with the guiding principle of ‘progress for the people, by the people”.
Making India a developed nation– PM Modi, also asserted that his government has the objective of making India, a developed nation. “Our goal is to transform India into a developed nation, and the people of India have placed their trust in us. In this age of social media, where misinformation and disinformation are prevalent, our government remains steadfast and determined,” he added.
Empowering the Youth of the country– The Prime Minister blamed the governments that came to power after independence for failing to instill the necessary energy in the masses to take risks. He noted that in the past decade under the governance of BJP, the youth of the country have developed a strong spirit of risk-taking. He also spoke about the major boost in the startup industry and mentioned the fact that India now boasts over 1.25 lakh registered startups, with young people eager to bring pride to the nation.
Building toilets and providing gas connections– The Prime Minister stressed the achievements of the BJP government including the building of toilets across the country and providing gas connections to the poor .”In our country, we undertook the mission of building toilets, a scheme that provides dignity and security. It has not only improved sanitation but also stimulated the economy and created jobs,” he said.
“There was a time when LPG gas was a distant dream for many, and the government would debate over it. Our administration made it a priority to ensure gas connections for every household. In 2014, there were 14 crore gas connections, and today, that number has surpassed 30 crore. Now, we no longer hear of any gas shortages,” he added.
