Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Jammu on 20th February, 2024.

At around 11:30 AM, in a public function at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore. The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, civic infrastructure, among others. During the programme Prime Minister will distribute appointment orders to about 1500 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes as part of the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu’ programme.

Major boost to Education sector

In a significant step towards upgrading and developing education and skilling infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of several projects’ worth about Rs 13,375 crore. The projects which are dedicated to nation include permanent campus of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kurnool; Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) – a pioneer skill training institute on advanced technologies – located at Kanpur; and two campuses of Central Sanskrit University – at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and at Agartala (Tripura).

Prime Minister will inaugurate three new IIMs in the country viz IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Visakhapatnam. He will also inaugurate 20 new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and 13 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) buildings across the country. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of five Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses, one Navodaya Vidyalaya campus and five Multipurpose Hall for Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. These newly constructed KVs and NVs buildings will play an important role in meeting the educational needs of students across the country.

AIIMS Jammu

In a step that will provide comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister will inaugurate All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu. The institute, whose foundational stone was also laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019, is being established under the Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.

Established at a cost of over 1660 crore and in an area spanning over 227 acres, the hospital is equipped with facilities like 720 beds, Medical College with 125 seats, Nursing College with 60 seats, AYUSH Block with 30 beds, residential accommodation for faculty and staff, hostel accommodation for UG and PG students, Night Shelter, Guest House, Auditorium, Shopping Complex etc.  The state-of-the-art hospital will provide high quality patient care services in 18 Specialities and 17 Super Specialities including Cardiology, Gastro-enterology, Nephrology, Urology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Endocrinology, Burns & Plastic Surgery. The Institute will have an Intensive Care Unit, Emergency & Trauma Unit, 20 Modular Operation Theatres, Diagnostic Laboratories, Blood Bank, Pharmacy etc. The Hospital will also leverage Digital Health Infrastructure to reach out to far flung areas of the region.

New Terminal Building, Jammu Airport

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport.  To be spread over 40,000 sqm area, the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2000 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building will be environment friendly and will be built such that it showcases local culture of the region. It will strengthen air connectivity, boost tourism and trade and accelerate economic growth of the region.

Rail Projects

Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation various rail projects in Jammu & Kashmir including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 Km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 Km). Prime Minister will also flag off the first Electric Train in the valley and also train service between Sangaldan station & Baramulla station.

The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) all along the route providing a better riding experience to the passengers. Also, India’s longest transportation tunnel T-50 (12.77 Km) lies in this portion between Khari-Sumber. The rail projects will improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability and boost the overall economic development of the region.

Road Projects

During the programme, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of important road projects including two packages (44.22 KM) of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway connecting Jammu to Katra; Phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road; five packages for upgrading the 161 km long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01; and the construction of Kulgam Bypass & Pulwama bypass on NH-444.

The two packages of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, once completed will facilitate the visit of pilgrims to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, and will also boost economic development in the region; The Phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road involves upgrading the existing Sumbal-Wayul NH-1. This brownfield project of length 24.7 Km, will reduce the traffic congestion in and around the Srinagar city. It will improve connectivity to popular tourist destinations like Manasbal Lake and Kheer Bhawani Temple, and also reduce travel time to Leh, Ladakh; The project for upgradation of 161 km long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01, is of strategic importance. It will also boost the economic development of Baramulla & Uri; Kulgam Bypass & Pulwama bypass on NH-444 connecting Qazigund – Kulgam – Shopian – Pulwama – Badgam – Srinagar will also boost road infrastructure in the region.

CUF Petroleum depot

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a project to develop CUF (Common User Facility) Petroleum depot at Jammu. The state of art fully automated depot which will be developed at a cost of about Rs 677 crore, will have storage capacity of about 100000 KL for storing Motor Spirit (MS), High Speed Diesel (HSD), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), Aviation Turbine fuel (ATF), Ethanol, Bio diesel and winter grade HSD.

Other projects

Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3150 crore for strengthening the civic infrastructure and provisioning of public facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. The projects to be inaugurated by Prime Minister include, Road projects & Bridges; Grid Stations, receiving stations transmission line Projects; Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants; Several Degree College buildings; Intelligent Traffic Management system in Srinagar city; Modern Narwal Fruit Mandi; Drug Testing Laboratory at Kathua; and Transit accommodation – 224 flats at Ganderbal and Kupwara. The projects whose foundation stone will be laid include development of five new Industrial Estates across Jammu and Kashmir; Data Centre/ Disaster Recovery Centre for Integrated Command and Control Centre of Jammu Smart City; Up-gradation of Transport Nagar at Parimpora Srinagar; Up-gradation of 62 road projects and 42 bridges and   project for development of transit accommodation – 2816 flats at nine locations in districts Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Shopian & Pulwama, among others.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. Shri Modi also shared his thoughts on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Prime Minister posted on X;

“Tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. A visionary leader, fearless warrior, protector of culture and embodiment of good governance, his life inspires generations.”

“छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज यांना त्यांच्या जयंतीनिमित्त विनम्र अभिवादन. दूरदर्शी नेते, निर्भीड योद्धे, संस्कृतीचे रक्षक आणि सुशासनाचे मूर्त रूप , त्यांचे जीवन अनेक पिढ्यांसाठी प्रेरणादायी आहे.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 9750 crores in Rewari, Haryana today. The projects cater to several important sectors concerning urban transport, health, rail and tourism. Shri Modi also took a walkthrough of the exhibitions showcased on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister paid tributes to the land of the bravehearts Rewari and underlined the affection of the people of the region for him. He recalled his first programme as PM candidate in 2013 in Rewari and remembered the good wishes of the people. The Prime Minister said that the blessings of the people are a huge asset for him. He credited the blessings of the people to India soaring to new heights in the world. Talking about his visit to UAE and Qatar, the Prime Minister credited the people of India for the honor and goodwill that India enjoys on the global stage. Similarly, he said that the G20, Chandrayaan, and the rise of the Indian economy from 11th to 5th place, were great successes due to the support of the public. He sought people’s blessings for making India the 3rd largest economy in the world in the coming years.

The Prime Minister said that the development of Haryana is necessary for the nation to become Viksit Bharat. He mentioned dedicating to the nation and laying the foundation stone of multiple development projects today worth about Rs 10,000 crores for the modernization of roadways and railway networks along with well-equipped hospitals for the development of Haryana. Listing out the development projects, the Prime Minister mentioned AIIMS Rewari, Gurugram Metro, several rail lines and new trains along with the experiential museum – Anubhav Kendra Jyotisar. Throwing light on Anubhav Kendra Jyotisar, the Prime Minister said that it will introduce the world to the lessons by Lord Shri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita as well as highlight the contributions of the glorious land of Haryana in Indian culture. He congratulated the people of Haryana for the development projects of today.

Talking about the national and even global buzz about ‘Modi’s Guarantee’, PM Modi said that Rewari is the first witness of ‘Modi’s Guarantee’. He recalled guarantees that he furnished here about the prestige of the country and Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya Dham which have seen the light of the Day. Similarly, Article 370 was abrogated as per the guarantee given by the PM Modi. “Today women, backwards, dalits, tribals are getting their rights in Jammu and Kashmir”, he added.

The Prime Minister recalled accomplishing the guarantee of ‘One Rank One Pension’ to ex-servicemen here in Rewari and informed about providing about Rs 1 lakh crores so far, where many ex-servicemen from Haryana have reaped its benefits. In Rewari, the Prime Minister informed that beneficiaries of OROP have received more than Rs 600 crores so far. He also pointed out that the previous government had earmarked a budget of Rs 500 crores for OROP which is less than the amount received by the families of the servicemen in Rewari alone.

Guarantee of establishment of AIIMS at Rewari was similarly fulfilled with today’s foundation stone laying. The Prime Minister assured that he will also inaugurate Rewari AIIMS. He said this will ensure better treatment and opportunity to become a doctor for the local citizens. Noting that Rewari AIIMS is the 22nd AIIMS, PM Modi informed that 15 new AIIMS have been sanctioned in the last 10 years. More than 300 medical colleges came into being in the last 10 years. In Haryana too, work is going on to ensure at least one medical college in every district.

The Prime Minister drew the comparison between the good and bad governance of the present and the past governments and highlighted the presence of double-engine government in Haryana for the past 10 years. He informed that the state stands at the top when it comes to abiding by policies formulated by the central government for the welfare of the poor. He touched upon Haryana’s growth in the agricultural sector and the state’s expansion of industries. He also highlighted the fast-paced development of South Haryana which lagged for decades, be it road, rail or metro services. PM Modi informed that the first phase of Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has already been inaugurated, while adding that the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the longest expressway in India, passes through Gurugram, Palwal and Nuh districts of Haryana.

Prime Minister Modi informed that the annual railway budget of Haryana which was around Rs 300 crores on average before 2014 has now been increased to Rs 3,000 crores in the last 10 years. He mentioned new railway lines for Rohtak-Meham-Hansi and Jind-Sonipat and the doubling of lines like Ambala Cantt-Dappar and said that it will enhance Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business while benefiting lakhs of people

The Prime Minister also commended the work of the state government in resolving the water-related issues in the state which is now home to hundreds of multinational companies creating employment for the youth.

PM Modi said that Haryana is making a huge name for itself when it comes to the textile and apparel industry which exports more than 35 percent of the carpets and manufactures about 20 percent of the garments in India. Touching upon the small-scale industries taking Haryana’s textile industry forward, the Prime Minister highlighted that Panipat is famous for handloom products, Faridabad for textile production, Gurugram for readymade garments, Sonipat for technical textiles and Bhiwani for non-woven-textiles. The Prime Minister informed about the Central Government’s assistance worth lakhs of crores of rupees to MSMEs and small-scale industries in the last 10 years, resulting in the strengthening of old small scale industries and cottage industries while also establishing thousands of new industries in the state.

Throwing light on the brass workmanship and handicraft workmanship of the Vishwakarma in Rewari, the Prime Minister highlighted the launch of PM-Vishwakarma Yojna for such traditional artisans related to 18 professions. He informed that lakhs of beneficiaries across the country are becoming part of PM Vishwakarma Yojana and the government is going to spend Rs 13,000 crores to transform the lives of our traditional artisans and their families.

“Modi’s guarantee is meant for those who do not have anything to guarantee to the banks”, the Prime Minister said, as he mentioned providing PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to the small farmers, Mudra Yojna for collateral-free loans to the poor, Dalit, backwards and OBC communities and PM Swanidhi Yojana for the street vendors.

Touching upon the welfare of women in the state, the Prime Minister mentioned free gas connections and tapped water supply along with connecting 10 crore women across the country with self-help groups including lakhs of women from Haryana. He also mentioned financial assistance worth lakhs of crores of rupees for these self-help groups. Speaking about the Lakhpati Didi schemes, the Prime Minister informed that 1 crore women have become Lakhpati Didi so far while work is underway to increase their number to 3 crores under this year’s Budget. The Prime Minister also touched upon NaMo Drone Didi Scheme where groups of women are being trained to operate for usage in farming, thereby creating additional income for them.

“Haryana is a state of amazing possibilities”, the Prime Minister said emphasizing the bright future for the first-time voters of Haryana. He underlined that the double-engine government is striving to make Haryana a developed state and create new employment opportunities in every sector, be it technology or textile, tourism or trade. “Haryana is emerging as a good state for investment, and increasing investment means an increase in new job opportunities”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Governor of Haryana, Bandaru Dattatreya and Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar were present on the occasion among others including other Ministers of the Haryana Government and MLAs.

Background

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Gurugram Metro Rail project to be developed at a cost of about Rs 5450 crores. The project, with a total length of 28.5 kms, will connect Millennium City Centre to Udyog Vihar Phase-5 and merge into the existing metro network of Rapid Metro Rail Gurugram at Moulsari Avenue station near Cyber City. It will also have a spur at Dwarka Expressway. The project is an important step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision to provide citizens with world-class environment-friendly mass rapid urban transport systems.

In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to strengthen public health infrastructure across the country, the foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rewari, Haryana is being laid. To be built at a cost of about Rs 1650 crores, AIIMS Rewari will be developed on 203 acres of land at village Majra Mustil Bhalkhi in Rewari. It will have facilities including the Hospital Complex with 720 beds, Medical College with 100 seats, Nursing College with 60 seats, AYUSH Block with 30 beds, residential accommodation for faculty and staff, hostel accommodation for UG and PG students, Night Shelter, Guest House, Auditorium etc.  Established under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), AIIMS Rewari will provide comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Haryana.  The facilities include patient care services in 18 Specialities and 17 Super Specialities including Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Urology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Endocrinology, Burns & Plastic Surgery. The Institute will also have facilities for Intensive Care Unit, Emergency & Trauma Unit, sixteen Modular Operation Theatres, Diagnostic Laboratories, Blood Bank, Pharmacy etc.  The establishment of AIIMS in Haryana is an important milestone in providing comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Haryana.

The Prime Minister inaugurated a newly built Anubhav Kendra Jyotisar, Kurukshetra. This experiential museum has been built at a cost of around 240 crores. The museum spans over 17 acres, encompassing over 100,000 square feet of indoor space. It will vividly bring the epic narrative of the Mahabharata and the teachings of the Gita to life. The museum also leverages cutting-edge technology, including Augmented Reality (AR), 3D laser, and projection mapping to enrich the experience of visitors.  Jyotisar, Kurukshetra is the sacred site where Lord Krishna imparted the eternal wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple railway projects. The projects whose foundation stone will be laid include the doubling of the Rewari-Kathuwas rail line (27.73 Km); doubling of the Kathuwas-Narnaul rail line (24.12 Km); doubling of the Bhiwani-Dobh Bhali rail line (42.30 Km); and doubling of Manheru-Bawani Khera rail line (31.50 Km). Doubling these railway lines will augment the rail infrastructure in the region and help in the timely running of both passenger and freight trains. The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the Rohtak-Meham-Hansi rail line (68 kms), which will reduce the travel time between Rohtak and Hisar. He also flagged off train service in the Rohtak-Meham-Hansi section, which will improve rail connectivity in Rohtak and Hisar region benefiting the rail passengers.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Rajasthan’ program via video conferencing today. The Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 17,000 crore. The projects cater to several important sectors including Roads, Railways, Solar Energy, Power Transmission, Drinking water and Petroleum & Natural Gas.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted the association of lakhs of people from all constituencies of Rajasthan with ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Rajasthan’ program and thanked them for their presence. He also congratulated the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for making excellent use of technology to bring together all beneficiaries under one roof. Highlighting the qualities of the people of Rajasthan, PM Modi recalled the reception of French President, Mr Emanuel Macron in Rajasthan a few days ago and said that its echoes were heard not only around India but also in France. Prime Minister Modi also recalled the blessings of the people when he visited the state during the Vidhan Sabha elections in Rajasthan while also reaffirming the faith in ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ leading to the formation of a double-engine government. He congratulated the people of Rajasthan for the development projects of today worth Rs 17,000 crores in the sectors of Roads, Railways, Solar Energy, Power Transmission, Drinking water and Petroleum & Natural Gas, and said that it will create numerous employment opportunities in the state.

Recalling his call from the ramparts of the Red Fort ‘Yeh hi Samay Hai- Sahi Samay Hai’, the Prime Minister termed the present time as a golden period and said that now India can move forward with full confidence, leaving behind the despair of previous decades. He said as opposed to the talk of scams, insecurity and terrorism before 2014, now we are focussed on the goal of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Rajasthan. “Today we are taking big resolutions and dreaming big and we are devoting ourselves to achieve them”, PM Modi added. He further said, “When I talk about Viksit Bharat, it is not just a word or an emotion but it is a campaign to make the life of every family prosperous.” He added that Viksit Bharat is a campaign to remove poverty, create quality jobs and create modern facilities in the country. Drawing on her interactions with the global leaders in his foreign visit from which he returned yesterday, PM Modi highlighted that the world leaders are accepting that India can dream big and achieve those dreams.

“Development of a Viksit Rajasthan is imperative to the development of Viksit Bharat’, the Prime Minister remarked, underlining the need for fast-paced development of essential sectors of rail, road, electricity and water. He said that the development of such sectors will hugely benefit the farmers, animal keepers, industries and tourism among others while also bringing in new investments and employment opportunities to the state. The Prime Minister informed that in this year’s Union Budget, a record Rs 11 lakh crores have been allocated for infrastructure development which is 6 times more than any previous government. PM Modi underlined that the expenditure will hugely benefit the cement, stones and ceramics industries.

The Prime Minister mentioned unprecedented investment in the rural roads, highways and expressways in Rajasthan in the last 10 years. He said that today Rajasthan is getting connected with the coastal areas of Gujarat Maharashtra to Punjab via broad highways. Today’s projects will improve connectivity in Kota, Udaipur, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Boondi, Ajmer, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh. These roads will also ensure better connectivity with Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Talking about the electrification, revamp and repair works for Railways that were part of today’s event, the Prime Minister said that doubling of  Bandikui-Agra Fort rail line will ease access to Mehndipur Balaji and Agra. Similarly, he said, Khatipura (Jaipur) station will enable plying of more trains.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the efforts of the government to enable the citizens to produce solar electricity in their own homes while also creating income by selling the extra electricity. Shri Modi highlighted the initiation of PM Surya Ghar Yojna or free electricity scheme where the government will arrange 300 units of free electricity. He informed that the Central Government will provide financial assistance for setting up solar panels on the terrace to 1 crore households initially where the total outlay of the project will be around Rs 75,000 crores. He underlined that middle-class and lower-middle-class society will benefit the most from this. He further added that banks will also facilitate easy disbursal of loans. “In Rajasthan, the government has planned to install solar panels in 5 lakh houses”, Shri Modi said highlighting the efforts of the double-engine government in reducing the expenditure of the poor and middle class.

The Prime Minister reiterated the focus on the development of the four sections i.e. youth, women, Kisan and the poor. “These are the 4 biggest castes for us and I am happy that the double-engine government is fulfilling the guarantees given by Modi for the empowerment of these sections”, he said. He noted 70 thousand jobs proposed in the first Budget of the new Rajasthan Government. He also praised the new state government for the formation of SIT for paper leak incidents. He also informed about the stringent new central law against paper leaks which will work as a deterrent.

The Prime Minister touched upon the state government’s guarantee to provide gas cylinders to poor families at Rs 450 and said that it has benefitted lakhs of women from Rajasthan. Pointing out the scams in Jal Jeevan Mission during the previous government, Shri Modi underlined that work has now taken up at a rapid pace. He informed that the existing financial assistance of Rs 6,000 under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi for the farmers of Rajasthan has been increased by Rs 2,000. “We are fulfilling our promises one by one in every field. We are serious about our guarantees. That’s why people say – Modi’s guarantee means guarantee of fulfilment”, the Prime Minister reaffirmed.

Speaking about the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the Prime Minister said, “Modi’s effort is to ensure that every beneficiary gets their entitlements quickly and no one is deprived.” He noted the participation of crores of citizens from Rajasthan where free health checkups for nearly 3 crore people have been carried out, 1 crore new Ayushman cards have been made, 15 lakh farmers have registered for Kisan Credit Card, around 6.5 lakh farmers have applied for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The Prime Minister further added that around 8 lakh women have registered for Ujjwala gas connection where 2.25 lakh connections have already been issued during this period. He also mentioned that 16 lakh people from Rajasthan have joined the insurance schemes of Rs 2 lakh each.

The Prime Minister pointed towards the forces that promote an atmosphere of despair and refrain from celebrating the successes of the country. He also cautioned against dynasty politics. He said such politics does not inspire the youth. Referring to the dreams and aspirations of the first-time voters, the Prime Minister said that such youth “is standing with the vision of Viksit Bharat’. The vision of Viksit Rajasthan and Viksit Bharat is for such first-time voters.”

Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Kalraj Mishra, Chief Minister Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, other Ministers of the Rajasthan Government, MPs, MLAs and local-level representatives among others joined on the occasion.

Background

The Prime Minister inaugurated various National Highway projects worth more than Rs 5000 crores in Rajasthan. The Prime Minister inaugurated three Packages of 8-Lane Delhi – Mumbai Green field Alignment (NE-4) viz Baonli-Jhalai road to Mui Village section; Hardeoganj village to Mej River section; and section from Takli to Rajasthan/ MP Border. These sections will provide faster and improved connectivity in the region. These sections are also equipped with Animal Underpass and Animal Overpass with camouflaging to facilitate unhindered movement of wildlife. Further, Noise barriers are also provisioned to minimise the impact on wildlife. The Prime Minister also inaugurated 6-Lane Greenfield Udaipur Bypass connecting Chittorgarh-Udaipur Highway section of NH-48 at Debari with Udaipur-Shamlaji Section of NH-48 at Kaya village. This Bypass will help in decongesting Udaipur City. The Prime Minister also inaugurated various other projects that will improve road infrastructure in Jhunjhunu, Abu Road and Tonk districts of Rajasthan.

Strengthening the rail infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of eight important railway projects of Rajasthan worth around Rs 2300 crores. The rail projects being dedicated to the nation include various projects for the electrification of rail routes including Jodhpur-Rai Ka Bagh-Merta Road-Bikaner section (277 Km); Jodhpur-Phalodi section (136 Km); and Bikaner-Ratangarh-Sadulpur-Rewari section (375 Km). The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation, ‘Khatipura railway station’. The railway station is developed as a satellite station for Jaipur and is equipped with ‘Terminal facility’ where trains can originate and terminate. The rail projects whose foundation stones are being laid by the Prime Minister include the maintenance facility of Vande Bharat sleeper trains at Bhagat Ki Kothi (Jodhpur); maintenance of all types of rakes like Vande Bharat, LHB etc. at Khatipura (Jaipur); construction of coach care complex for maintenance of trains at Hanumangarh; and Doubling of Bandikui to Agra Fort rail line. The railway sector projects are aimed at modernizing rail infrastructure, enhancing safety measures, improving connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods and people more efficiently.

To boost renewable energy production in the region, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation important solar projects worth around Rs 5300 crores in Rajasthan. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the NLCIL Barsingsar Solar Project, a 300  MW Solar Power Project, to be established near Barsingsar Thermal Power Station in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The solar project is being set up with the latest state-of-the-art technology with high-efficiency bifacial modules manufactured in India in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He laid the foundation stone of 300 MW Solar Power project of NHPC LTD under CPSU Scheme Phase-II (Tranche -III), also to be developed at Bikaner Rajasthan. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the 300 MW NTPC Green Energy Limited Nokhra Solar PV Project, developed in Bikaner Rajasthan. The solar projects will generate green power, help offset Carbon dioxide emissions and lead to economic development of the region.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation power transmission sector projects worth more than Rs 2100 crores in Rajasthan. These projects are meant for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan so that the solar power generated in these zones can be transmitted to beneficiaries. The projects include the Transmission System Strengthening Scheme for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan (8.1 GW) under Phase-II Part A; Transmission System Strengthening Scheme for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan (8.1 GW) under Phase-II Part-B1;  and Transmission System for providing connectivity to RE projects at Bikaner (PG), Fatehgarh-II & Bhadla–II.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of multiple projects worth around Rs 2400 crores including projects under Jal Jeevan Mission, which aimed at strengthening the infrastructure to provide clean drinking water in Rajasthan. The projects signify the Prime Minister’s dedication to providing clean drinking water through individual household tap connections across the country.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation Indian Oil’s LPG bottling plant at Jodhpur. The bottling plant with state-of-the-art infrastructure and automation system for operation and safety, will lead to employment generation and will cater to the LPG needs of lakhs of customers in the region.

The launch of these development projects in Rajasthan underscores the Prime Minister’s relentless efforts to transform Rajasthan’s infrastructure landscape and create opportunities for growth and development. The program is being organised at about 200 places across all districts of Rajasthan, with the main program held at Jaipur. The state-wide program witnessed the participation of lakhs of beneficiaries of various government schemes. The program will also be joined by Chief Minister Rajasthan, other Ministers of the Rajasthan Government, MPs, MLAs and local-level representatives.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in his first engagement today at Doha, Qatar.

The two leaders exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, energy, finance, and technology. They also discussed recent regional developments in West Asia and emphasized the importance of upholding peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Thereafter, Prime Minister attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the Prime Minister of Qatar.

At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the World Governments Summit in Dubai as Guest of Honour, on 14 February 2024. He delivered the special keynote address on the theme of the Summit – “Shaping the Future Governments”. Prime Minister had attended the World Governments Summit in 2018, also as Guest of Honour. The Summit this time saw participation of 20 world leaders, including 10 Presidents and 10 Prime Ministers. Governments and delegates from over 120countries were represented at the global gathering.

In his address, Prime Minister shared his thoughts on the changing nature of governance. He highlighted India’s transformative reforms based on the mantra of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”. Sharing Indian experience on how the country had leveraged digital technology to further welfare, inclusivity and sustainability, he called for a human- centric approach to governance. He also underlined India’s focus on people’s participation, last-mile-delivery and women-led development to achieve an inclusive society.

Prime Minister emphasised that given the inter-connected nature of the world, governments must collaborate and learn from each other to address future challenges. He highlighted that it was the need of the hour for governance to be Inclusive, Tech- smart, Clean and Transparent, and Green. In this context, he further emphasised that governments must prioritise – Ease of Living, Ease of Justice, Ease of Mobility, Ease of Innovation and Ease of Doing Business in their approach to public service. Elaborating on India’s steadfast commitment to Climate Change action, he called for people to join Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) to create a sustainable world.

Prime Minister elaborated on the leadership role played by India as the chair of G-20 last year, on a wide range of issues and challenges facing the world. In this context, he highlighted the efforts made by India to bring development concerns facing the Global South to the centre-stage of global discourse. Calling for reform of multilateral institutions, he pushed for greater voice for the Global South in its decision making. India, he stressed, will continue to contribute to global progress based on its role as a “Vishwa Bandhu”.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai on 14 February 2024 in Dubai.

Both leaders held discussions on a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, technology, space, education and people-to-people ties. They expressed their satisfaction at the rapidly growing economic and commercial ties between India and the UAE, and acknowledged in particular the key role played by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. They also welcomed the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his graciousness towards the Indian community living in Dubai. Both leaders acknowledged the contribution of the Indian Diaspora in Dubai’s evolution into a global hub for trade, services and tourism.

Prime Minister expressed deep appreciation to Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for the grant of land for an Indian Community Hospital in Dubai which will offer affordable healthcare facilities for the Indian blue-collar workers.

Prime Minister invited Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to visit India at his earliest convenience.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of Madagascar H. E. Mr. Andry Rajoelina, today, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai. This was the first meeting between the two leaders.

Both leaders recognized the long-standing friendly relations and ancient geographical ties between the two countries. They discussed ways to advance bilateral ties and appreciated the close cooperation between the two countries in various multilateral fora, including the UN.

Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to further strengthen India-Madagascar partnership and to Vision SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region. He conveyed that as a fellow developing country in the Indian Ocean Region, India will remain a committed partner in the developmental journey of Madagascar.

Namaskar!

Today, you have made history in Abu Dhabi. You have come from different corners of the UAE and from different states of Bharat, but everyone’s hearts are connected. Every heartbeat in this historic stadium is saying — Long live Bharat-UAE friendship! Every breath is saying — Long live Bharat-UAE friendship! Every voice is saying — Long live Bharat-UAE friendship! We have to live this moment to the fullest. Today, we have to gather those memories that will stay with us for a lifetime — Memories that will also stay with me for a lifetime.

My brothers and sisters,

Today, I have come to meet the members of my family. Across the seas, I have brought the fragrance of the land where you were born. I have brought a message from your 1.4 billion Indian brothers and sisters… and the message is – Bharat is proud of you and you are the pride of the nation. Bharat is proud of you.

भारतम् निंगड़ै-और्त् अभिमा-निक्कुन्नु !! उंगलई पार्त् भारतम् पेरुमई पड़गिरदु !!

भारता निम्मा बग्गे हेम्मे पडु-त्तदे !! मी पइ भारतदेशम् गर्विस्तोन्दी !!

This beautiful picture of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, your enthusiasm and voice, is reaching beyond the skies of Abu Dhabi today. This affection and blessing is overwhelming for me. I am very grateful that you took your time to come here.

Friends,

Today, the Minister of Tolerance, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan, is also present amongst us. He is a good friend and well-wisher of the Indian community. His affection towards the Indian community is commendable. Today, I also express my gratitude to my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, for this magnificent event. This enthusiastic celebration would not have been possible without his support. His personal touch, his sense of belonging towards me, is my greatest asset. I remember my first trip in 2015. I had not been in the power at the Centre for a long time. That was the first UAE trip of any Indian PM after three decades. The world of diplomacy was also new to me. At that time, the Crown Prince and the current President came to the airport to welcome me along with their five brothers. I can never forget their enthusiasm, the sparkle in their eyes. In that first meeting, it felt like I had come to the home of a loved one. They were also honouring me like a family member. But friends, that honour was not just mine. That honour, that reception, belonged to 1.4 billion Indians. That honour belonged to every Indian living in the UAE.

Friends,

That was the day, and today is this day. This is my 7th trip to the UAE in 10 years. Brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed came to receive me at the airport today as well. His enthusiasm was the same, his affinity was the same, and this is what makes him very special.

Friends,

I am happy that we also got the opportunity to welcome him to Bharat four times. Just a few days ago, he visited Gujarat. At that time, lakhs of people gathered on both sides of the road to express their gratitude. Do you know why they were expressing this gratitude? This gratitude was because the way he takes care of all of you in the UAE, the way he cares about your interests, it’s rare to see. That’s why all those people came out of their homes to express their appreciation for him.

Friends,

It is also my privilege that the UAE has honoured me with its Highest Civilian Award — The Order of Zayed. This honour is not just mine, but this honour is of millions of Indians, all of you. Whenever I meet my brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, he praises all Indian nationals very much. He appreciates your role in the development of the UAE. Even this Zayed Stadium carries the essence of Indian sweat. I am happy that our Emirati friends have given Indians a place in their hearts and have made them partners in their happiness and sorrow. Over time, this relationship is getting stronger day by day, and Brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has played a significant role in this. I saw his empathy towards you during COVID. At that time, I told him that we are arranging to bring back Indians. But he told me not to worry at all. He made all arrangements for the treatment of Indians here, including vaccination. With him here, I didn’t have to worry at all. I experience his boundless love for all of you every moment. And not only that, when I proposed the idea of building a temple here in Abu Dhabi on behalf of all of you in 2015, he immediately said yes without wasting a moment. He even said — “I will give you the land where you draw the line.” And now the historic time for the inauguration of this magnificent temple in Abu Dhabi has come.

Friends,

The friendship between Bharat and the UAE is reaching unprecedented heights both on the ground and in space. On behalf of Bharat, I congratulate Sultan Al Neyadi, the first Emirati astronaut, to spend 6 months on the International Space Station. I also thank him for sending greetings to Bharat from space on International Yoga Day and Independence Day.

Friends,

The relationship between Bharat and the UAE is reaching unprecedented heights in this third decade of the 21st century. We are partners in each other’s progress. Our relationship is based on talent, innovation, and culture. In recent times, we have injected new energy into our relationship in every direction. We have moved forward together, hand in hand. Today, the UAE is Bharat’s third-largest trading partner. Today, the UAE is Bharat’s seventh-largest investor. Both our countries are cooperating significantly in ease of living and ease of doing business. The agreements that we have signed today are furthering this commitment. We are also integrating our financial systems. The partnership between Bharat and the UAE is also growing stronger continuously in the field of technology and innovation.

Friends,

What Bharat and the UAE have achieved in terms of community and cultural relations is a model for the world. I also want to tell my Emirati friends how close both countries are in the field of languages. I am attempting to speak a few sentences in Arabic –

“अल हिंद वल इमारात, बी-कलम अल ज़मान, वल किताब अद्दुनिया. नक्तुबु, हिसाब ली मुस्तकबल अफ़दल. व सदाका बयिना, अल हिंद वल इमारात हिया, सरवतना अल मुश्तरका. फ़िल हक़ीका, नहनु, फ़ी बीदएया, साईदा ली मुस्तकबल जईईदा !!!

I have tried to speak in Arabic. I apologize to my UAE friends if there are any mistakes in my pronunciation. And for those who didn’t understand what I said, I am also explaining its meaning. What I said in Arabic means – Bharat and the UAE are writing a better destiny on the book of the world with the pen of time. The friendship between Bharat and the UAE is our shared wealth. In reality, we are beginning a better future. Now think about it — how easily the words like ‘kalam’ (pen), ‘kitab’ (book), ‘duniya’ (world), ‘hisab’ (account), ‘zameen’ (land) are spoken in Bharat. And how did these words reach there? From this Gulf region! The relationship between our two countries spans hundreds and thousands of years. And Bharat hopes that this relationship continues to flourish day by day.

Friends,

I have been told that there are hundreds of students present in the stadium right now. Currently, there are more than 1.25 lakh students studying in Indian schools in the UAE. These young friends are going to become partners in the prosperity of Bharat and the UAE. With the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the master’s course at IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus was inaugurated last month. The office of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in Dubai is also going to open soon. I believe these institutions will help provide the best education to the Indian community here.

Friends,

Today, the goal of every Indian is to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047. Which is the country whose economy is growing rapidly? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country that consumes the most smartphone data? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country with the highest global fintech adoption rate? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country with the highest milk production? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country ranked second in terms of internet users? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country that is the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country with the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country that reached Mars on its first attempt? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country that planted its flag on the South Pole of the moon? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country setting a record by sending hundreds of satellites in one go? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country that developed 5G technology on its own and rolled it out the fastest? It’s our Bharat!

Friends,

The achievements of Bharat are the achievements of every Indian. In just 10 years, Bharat has transitioned from being the world’s eleventh-largest economy to the fifth-largest economy. And you know, I have immense confidence in the capabilities of every Indian. It is on the basis of this confidence that Modi has also given a guarantee. Do you know Modi’s guarantee? Modi has guaranteed to make Bharat the third-largest economy in his third term. And Modi’s guarantee means a guarantee of fulfilment. Our government is continuously working to improve the standard of living of the people, to reduce their problems. We have provided pucca houses to more than four crore families. We have provided water connections to more than 10 crore families. We have connected more than 50 crore people to the banking system. We have provided free medical treatment of up to 500,000 rupees to more than 50 crore people. We have built more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to ensure that people in rural areas have no problem getting treatment.

Friends,

Those of you who have visited Bharat recently know how rapidly Bharat is changing these days. Today, Bharat is building modern expressways. Today, Bharat is constructing new airports. Today, Bharat is building modern railway stations. Today, Bharat’s identity is being shaped by new ideas, new innovations. Today, Bharat is identified by mega infrastructure projects. Today, Bharat’s identity is evolving as a vibrant tourism destination. Today, Bharat’s identity is being established as a major sports power. And hearing all this fills you with pride, doesn’t it?

Friends,

You are all familiar with the digital revolution happening in Bharat. The praise for Digital India is resonating worldwide. We are striving to ensure that all our colleagues based in the UAE also benefit from it. We have shared our RuPay card stack with the UAE. This has helped the UAE in developing its domestic card system. And do you know what name the UAE has given to the card system developed with the support of Bharat? UAE has named it “Jeevan”. What a beautiful name UAE has given!!!

Friends,

Soon, UPI will also be launched in the UAE. This will enable seamless payments between UAE and Indian accounts. With this, you will be able to send money to your family members in Bharat more easily.

Friends,

Bharat’s growing capabilities have instilled hope for stability and prosperity in the world. The world believes that Bharat can play an active role in establishing a reliable global order. I am delighted that today Bharat and the UAE are strengthening this trust together. You all have also seen that Bharat has successfully hosted G20 summit. We also invited the UAE as a partner in this summit. Such efforts are also taking our strategic partnership to new heights. Today, the world sees Bharat as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ (global friend). Today, Bharat’s voice is heard on every major platform in the world. Whenever a crisis arises, Bharat’s name is among the first countries to reach out. Today’s strong Bharat stands shoulder to shoulder with its people at every step. Over the past 10 years, you have seen that the Indian government acted swiftly whenever Indians living abroad faced problems. We safely evacuated thousands of stranded Indians and brought them back to Bharat during crises in Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, and elsewhere. The government is working day and night to help Indians living in different parts of the world.

Friends,

Bharat and the UAE are together scripting a new history for the 21st century. And all of you, my friends, are a significant foundation of this history. The hard work you are putting in here is also energizing Bharat. Keep strengthening the development and friendship between Bharat and the UAE. With this belief, I thank you all for this grand welcome once again! Say with me: Bharat Mata ki—Jai! Bharat Mata ki—Jai! Bharat Mata ki—Jai!

There is much distance between you and me, so I am coming to see you. But my request to you is to stay where you are so that I can meet you properly. So, will you help me?

Bharat Mata ki—Jai!

Bharat Mata ki—Jai!

Thank you very much.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi today on an official visit to the UAE. In a special and warm gesture, he was received at the airport by the President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and thereafter, accorded a ceremonial welcome.

  The two leaders held one-on-one and delegation level talks. They reviewed the bilateral partnership and discussed new areas of cooperation. They welcomed deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across sectors, including trade and investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, infrastructure, culture and people to people ties. Discussions also covered regional and global issues.

  The two leaders witnessed the exchange of following:

  · Bilateral Investment Treaty: This agreement will be a key enabler for further promoting investments in both countries. India has signed both a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with UAE.

  · MoU on cooperation in the field of electrical interconnection and trade: This opens new areas of collaboration in the field of energy, including energy security and energy trade.

  · An Intergovernmental Framework Agreement between India and UAE on the India-Middle East Economic Corridor : This would build on previous understandings and cooperation on this matter and foster India and the UAE cooperation furthering regional connectivity.

  · MoU on cooperation in Digital Infrastructure Projects: This will create a framework for a wide ranging cooperation, including investment cooperation, in the digital infrastructure sector and also facilitate sharing of technical knowledge, skills and expertise.

  · Cooperation protocol between the National Archives of the two countries: This protocol will shape extensive bilateral cooperation in this field including restoration and preservation of archival material.

  · MoU for cooperation in the field of heritage and museums: This would foster engagement between the two countries aimed at supporting of the Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat.

  · Agreement on interlinking of the instant payment platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE): This will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries. This follows the MoU on interlinking payment and messaging systems signed in July last year during Hon’ble PM’s visit to Abu Dhabi.

  · Agreement on inter-linking domestic debit/credit cards – RuPay (India) with JAYWAN (UAE): An important step in building financial sector cooperation, this will enhance the universal acceptance of RuPay across the UAE.

  Prime Minister congratulated President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the launch of UAE’s domestic card JAYWAN, which is based on the digital RuPay credit and debit card stack. The leaders witnessed a transaction made using the JAYWAN card.

  The leaders also discussed the strengthening of energy partnership. They appreciated that in addition to the UAE being among the largest sources of crude and LPG, India is now entering into long term contracts for LNG.

  Ahead of the visit , RITES Limited signed agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Gujarat Maritime Board with Abu Dhabi Ports Company. These would help in building port infrastructure and further enhance connectivity between the two countries.

  Prime Minister thanked President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his personal support and for his graciousness in granting the land for the construction of the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi. Both sides noted that the BAPS Temple is a celebration of UAE-India friendship, deep-rooted cultural bonds and an embodiment of the UAE’s global commitment to harmony, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today addressed the last sitting of the 17th Lok Sabha.

Addressing the House, the Prime Minister said that today’s occasion is significant for India’s democracy. Prime Minister Modi lauded the efforts of all Members of the 17th Lok Sabha in making important decisions and giving direction to the country. He said that today marks a special occasion to dedicate to the nation the ideological journey and time for its betterment. “Reform, Perform and Transform has been the mantra for the past 5 years”, he said, noting that it can be experienced by the entire nation today. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the people of India will continue to bless the 17th Lok Sabha for its efforts. Underlining the contributions of all members of the House, Shri Modi expressed gratitude towards them, especially the Speaker of the House. The Prime Minister thanked the Speaker and complimented him for his ever-smiling, balanced and impartial handling of the House.

The Prime Minister mentioned the biggest calamity of the century that befell on humanity during the period i.e Corona pandemic.  He said arrangements were made in the Parliament and the nation’s work was not allowed to stop in the House. He also thanked the Members for relinquishing Saansad Nidhi and a 30 percent cut in their salary by the Members during the pandemic. He also thanked the Speaker for removing subsidized canteen facilities for the Members that were the cause of people’s adverse comments.

The Prime Minister lauded the Speaker for bringing all members on the same page about the creation of the New Parliament Building which led to its construction and the present session taking place here.

Speaking about Sengol established in the New Parliament Building, the Prime Minister underlined that it is a symbol of the reclamation of India’s heritage and remembrance of the first moment of independence. He also hailed the Speaker’s decision to make the Sengol a part of the annual ceremony and said that it will connect future generations with the moment when India achieved independence while being a source of inspiration.

The Prime Minister noted the global recognition that the G20 Summit Presidency brought and for which every state showcased its national capabilities. Similarly, the P20 summit bolstered India’s credentials as the mother of democracy.

The Prime Minister also pointed out the expansion of ritual anniversary floral tribute into nationwide events by conducting speech and essay contests. The top 2 contenders from every state come to Delhi and speak about the dignitary. This, PM Modi said, connected lakhs of students with the Parliamentary tradition of the country. The Prime Minister also mentioned the momentous decision to open up the Parliament Library for common citizens.

Prime Minister Modi touched upon the concept of paperless Parliament and the implementation of digital technology introduced by the Speaker and thanked him for the initiative.

The Prime Minister credited the combined effort of the members and skills of the Speaker and the awareness of the Members for taking the productivity of the 17th Lok Sabha to about 97 percent. Even though it is a remarkable number, the Prime Minister urged the Members to take the resolve and increase productivity to 100 percent at the onset of the 18th Lok Sabha. He informed the House that 7 sessions had been more than 100 percent productive when the House presided till midnight and allowed all Members to speak their minds. The Prime Minister informed that in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha, 30 bills were passed which is a record.

Noting the joy of being a Member of Parliament during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister praised the members for making the Mahotsav a people’s movement in their constituencies. Similarly, the 75th year of the Constitution also inspired everyone.

The Prime Minister said that the strong foundation of 21st-century India can be seen in the game-changer reforms of the period. “We can say with great satisfaction that many things for which generations used to wait were accomplished through the 17th Lok Sabha”, the Prime Minister said. He said that with the abrogation of Article 370, full splendor of the Constitution was manifested. This must have pleased the framers of the Constitution, he said. “Today our commitment to social justice is reaching the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, PM Modi added.

Recalling the scourge of terrorism, the Prime Minister said that the stringent laws that were made by the House have strengthened the war against terrorism. This has improved the confidence of those who are fighting against terrorism and full elimination of terrorism will surely be fulfilled, he said.

“We can proudly say that this country might have lived under the Penal Code for 75 years but now we live under Nyay Samhita”, the Prime Minister said, referring to the adoption of new codes of laws.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Speaker for initiating the proceedings in the New Parliament Building with the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Even though the first session was shorter than the rest, the Prime Minister said that it is the result of the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam that the House will be filled with women members in the times to come. He also spoke about the 17th Lok Sabha abolishing Triple Talaq to ensure the rights of women.

Throwing light on the significance of the next 25 years for the nation, the Prime Minister said that the nation has taken the resolve to accomplish its dreams. Speaking about the Salt Satyagraha started in 1930 by Mahatma Gandhi and Swadeshi Andolan, the Prime Minister pointed out that these events may have been insignificant at the time of its inception but they set the foundations for the next 25 years leading to India’s independence in 1947. He said that a similar feeling can be experienced within the country where every person has taken the resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047.

Pointing out the initiative and laws for the youth, the Prime Minister noted the strong law against the problem of paper leak. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of research and acknowledged the far-reaching importance of the National Research Foundation Act. He expressed the confidence that this Act will help in making India a global hub of research and innovation.

Noting that basic needs in the world have changed in the 21st century, the Prime Minister mentioned the value of data. He said that the passage of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act has safeguarded the data of the present generation and also garnered interest from across the world. Underlining its importance in India, the Prime Minister highlighted the nation’s diversity and the diversified data that it generated within the country.

Referring to new dimensions of security, the Prime Minister talked about the importance of marine, space and cyber security. “We have to create positive capabilities in these areas and also to develop wherewithal to deal with the negative forces”, said the Prime Minister adding that space reforms are forward-looking with long-term implications.

Touching upon the economic reforms carried out by the 17th Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister informed that thousands of compliances were removed to make the lives of common citizens easier. Reiterating the belief in ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance’, the Prime Minister said that the capabilities of any democracy can be maximized by ensuring minimum government intervention in citizen’s lives.

The Prime Minister said more than 60 obsolete laws were removed. This was needed to improve the ease of doing business, he said. PM Modi emphasized the need for trusting the citizens. He informed that Jan Vishwas Act decriminalized 180 activities. The Mediation Act has helped in breaking unnecessary litigation-related issues.

Referring to the plight of the transgender community, PM Modi complimented the Members for bringing the Act for the community. He said that sensitive provisions for vulnerable sections are a matter of global appreciation. He said transgender people are getting an identity and turning into entrepreneurs by availing benefits of the government schemes. Transgender figure in the Padma Awardee list also.

The Prime Minister expressed deep grief for the Members who lost their lives due to the Covid pandemic which affected the proceedings of the House for almost 2 years.

“The journey of India’s democracy is everlasting and the nation has its purpose to serve the entire humanity”, PM Modi remarked and mentioned the world accepting India’s way of life and urged the Members to carry this tradition forward.

Referring to upcoming elections, the Prime Minister said elections are a natural and essential dimension of democracy. “I am confident that the elections will be in accordance with the glory of our democracy,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister thanked all Members of the House for their contributions to the functioning of the 17th Lok Sabha. Referring to the resolution passed today about the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple, the Prime Minister said that it will give constitutional powers to the future generations of the country to take pride in its heritage. He said that the resolution comprises ‘Samvedna’, ‘Sankalp’ and ‘Sahanubhuti’ along with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that Parliament will continue to inspire its members to leave behind a legacy for future generations and work to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of future generations with the collective effort of all its Members.