The Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini met the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi today.

The PMO India handle posted on X:

“Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri @NayabSainiBJP met Prime Minister
@narendramodi.

@cmohry”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah paid tribute to the renowned actor Dharmendra at a memorial service held in Delhi, remembering his contributions and honoring his memory.

In a post on ‘X’, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that Dharmendra ji won the hearts of millions of Indians with his acting that transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, leaving a lasting impression on people from all walks of life. He said that the Indian film industry will forever miss this extraordinary actor.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated NEST–02 (New Enterprises & Services Tower – Phase 2) at the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) in Mumbai today and urged industries to significantly strengthen skilling initiatives to support India’s future workforce needs.

The Minister emphasised that the pace of growth achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi must be matched at SEEPZ, noting that the zone must align its functioning and performance with the broader national economic momentum.

Shri Goyal encouraged SEEPZ units to expand training efforts, including initiatives for specially-abled youth, and stated that skilling is central to India’s future growth. He urged industry to take greater responsibility in supporting workforce development and contributing to the broader national skilling agenda.

The Minister said that transparency, integrity and accountability remain central to the Government’s governance approach under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He called upon unit holders and industry representatives to work jointly with the administration to ensure that SEEPZ operates in a clean, transparent and accountable manner, underscoring that maintaining such an environment is a shared responsibility.

Shri Goyal said that auction-based allotment and transparent procedures are essential to ensure fair utilisation of space and prevent misuse. He encouraged stakeholders to collectively review unutilised plots and work with the managing committee to maximise export potential. He reiterated the need for full transparency in processes related to approvals, customs operations, maintenance contracts and other administrative matters.

The Minister reviewed ongoing and planned infrastructure upgrades at SEEPZ, including improvements to internal roads, greenery and overall zone-level aesthetics. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that SEEPZ reflects the standards of modern India and serves as a model for Special Economic Zones across the country.

Shri Goyal highlighted that the Government’s ongoing reforms—including the Jan Vishwas Bills, decriminalisation measures and simplification of compliance processes—are built on the principle of trust between Government and industry. He urged unit holders to uphold this trust by adhering to transparent and ethical practices.

Emphasising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Minister said that industry and Government must work together to strengthen domestic capabilities, promote Swadeshi, maintain high standards and prepare for future opportunities. He encouraged industry to adopt modern systems, pursue futuristic planning and implement global-quality processes to align with India’s aspirations for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Shri Goyal concluded by calling on SEEPZ to emerge as a world-class production and export zone, reflecting the pace and ambition of India’s economic transformation. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting industry-led growth, innovation and competitiveness.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the “Jigyasa” Student–Scientist Connect Programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), initiated by the Modi Govt, has emerged as one of the most impactful initiatives for fostering scientific curiosity among school children.

The Minister stated that the programme has benefitted more than 14 lakh school children and around 80,000 teachers across the country so far, providing exposure to cutting-edge scientific work and nurturing interest in research from an early age.

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that “Jigyasa”, launched in 2017 in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), brings students directly into the ecosystem of science and innovation by facilitating visits to CSIR laboratories, interactions with scientists, and hands-on activities. Through popular science lectures, workshops, residential learning programmes, hackathons, and experiment-based engagements, students gain insights into scientific methods and real-world applications. As many as 3,900 Jigyasa activities have been conducted across 37 CSIR laboratories, reflecting the wide geographic and institutional spread of the initiative.

The Minister also emphasised the transformative impact of the “Jigyasa Virtual Lab”, developed with IIT Bombay in 2021. This digital platform hosts simulations, animations, and interactive learning modules, including 401 pieces of content enabled in Indian Sign Language, ensuring inclusivity for Divyangjan learners. The virtual lab has added a significant digital dimension to Jigyasa’s outreach, allowing students from remote regions to access high-quality scientific content without physical constraints.

Dr Jitendra Singh further noted the extensive participation in flagship programmes under the initiative. The “Jigyasa Vigyan Mahotsav 2022” witnessed an overwhelming response with more than 30,000 participants and 3,000 content submissions, of which 75 entries were awarded. Similarly, the EPIC Hackathon 2024 received 960 applications from students nationwide. Out of these, 47 students underwent summer internships in 18 CSIR laboratories, gaining hands-on mentorship before competing in the final round held at CSIR–IGIB, New Delhi. Dr. Singh stated that such programmes have introduced students to problem-solving, experimentation, and innovation in real laboratory environments.

Responding to a question in the House, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared financial details of the Jigyasa programme over the last five years. He informed that the allocations were ₹597.10 lakh in 2021–22, ₹1,392.63 lakh in 2022–23, ₹1,650.00 lakh in 2023–24, ₹1,900.00 lakh in 2024–25, and ₹1,850.00 lakh in 2025–26. He added that this steady increase in funding reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding the reach of Jigyasa and enhancing its scientific and educational components.

CSIR also provided state-wise details of funds released to its laboratories implementing the programme during 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25. Laboratories in Maharashtra received the highest allocations (₹200.30 lakh, ₹215.90 lakh, and ₹224.35 lakh respectively), followed by Telangana, New Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, which consistently received substantial funding. Laboratories in Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and other regions also received financial support, ensuring that the programme reaches students and teachers nationwide.

Special mention was made of initiatives such as India’s first Indian Sign Language-enabled Astronomy Laboratory for Divyangjan students in Karnal, showcasing the programme’s emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility. Likewise, the nationwide “One Day as a Scientist Week,” organised between 21–25 July 2025, drew participation from nearly 14,000 students across CSIR laboratories, providing them with first-hand exposure to scientific research and experimentation.

The Minister also noted that Jigyasa has built strong collaborations with the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Atal Innovation Mission, National Council of Science Museums, Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, IIT Bombay, Royal Society of Chemistry, and CIPLA Foundation. These partnerships have enhanced resource-sharing and broadened the programme’s outreach, enabling more students to engage with scientific concepts meaningfully.

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded that the Jigyasa programme has evolved into a powerful national platform that inspires curiosity, promotes scientific temper, and encourages young minds to pursue careers in science and research. Through hands-on learning, digital innovation, and extensive participation, Jigyasa continues to strengthen India’s vision of cultivating a scientifically informed and innovation-driven society.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today expressed optimism about India’s leadership in Artificial Intelligence, following a productive discussion with Mr. Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft.

The Prime Minister welcomed Microsoft’s announcement to make its largest-ever investment in Asia in India, underscoring the nation’s growing role as a trusted destination for innovation and technology.

Responding to a post by Mr. Satya Nadella, the Prime Minister said:

“When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India!

Had a very productive discussion with Mr. Satya Nadella. Happy to see India being the place where Microsoft will make its largest-ever investment in Asia.

The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planet.”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah initiated a special discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the need to discuss Vande Mataram and to remain devoted to it was present when it was first composed, remained throughout the freedom struggle, continues today, and will still be there in 2047 when India emerges as a truly Great Nation. Vande Mataram is an immortal creation that awakens the feelings of dedication, devotion and duty towards Mother India. He said that some people are trying to belittle the glorification of Vande Mataram by linking it to the upcoming elections in West Bengal. Shri Shah said that Vande Mataram was never limited only to West Bengal or India; wherever in the world there were lovers of freedom, they used to sing Vande Mataram even in their secret meetings. The Home Minister said that even today, when a soldier on the border or a police jawan for internal security makes the supreme sacrifice, the mantra on his lips is Vande Mataram.

Shri Amit Shah said that the song Vande Mataram became the proclamation of freedom, the inspiration for the freedom struggle, and the force that liberated Mother India from the chains of slavery. It is Vande Mataram that inspires India’s martyrs, even as they make the ultimate sacrifice, to be reborn and offer their lives again for Mother India in the next birth. He said that many great thinkers and sages drew inspiration from Vande Mataram to keep our ancient nation progressing on the path of its eternal culture for centuries. Shri Shah further said that the discussion, glorification, and celebration of Vande Mataram taking place in both Houses of Parliament will help our children, adolescents, youth, and many generations to come understand its profound significance and lay the foundation for the rebirth and reconstruction of the nation.

Union Home Minister said that composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram song was first made public on 7 November 1875. He said that soon after its creation, Vande Mataram swiftly became the symbol of patriotism, sacrifice, and national consciousness, and it paved the way for our freedom movement. We must all remember the background in which Vande Mataram was composed. He explained that the context of its creation was centuries of Islamic invasions that had ravaged the country’s culture and history, followed by the British attempt during their rule to impose a new civilization and culture upon us. It was at such a time that Bankim Babu wrote Vande Mataram. Shri Shah said that with great subtlety, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay restored and reaffirmed our ancient civilization, the idea of cultural nationalism, and our eternal tradition of worshipping the motherland as the Divine Mother. The then-government tried to suppress it, imposed bans on singing it, and those who uttered Vande Mataram were flogged and thrown into jail. Yet, overcoming all these prohibitions and without any organized publicity, the song touched every heart and spread from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He added that Vande Mataram has in effect become the mantra of renaissance for all those who hold reverence for India’s culture.

Shri Amit Shah said that during the period of slavery, many of our temples, universities, centres of art, agriculture and education systems were destroyed, yet no one could erase the essence of our culture from the soul of the people. At that very moment, there was a need to awaken and reorganise that very spirit, and it was precisely then that Bankim Babu composed Vande Mataram. Neither the British nor those who had accepted their civilisation could stop it. He said that Vande Mataram awakened a nation that had forgotten its own divine power. Vande Mataram performed the task of reviving the soul of the nation. Maharshi Aurobindo had said that Vande Mataram is the mantra of India’s rebirth, and this statement truly reflects the greatness of Vande Mataram. Shri Shah added that Sri Aurobindo’s deep sentiment towards Vande Mataram became a source of inspiration for every child of this country and turned into the mantra of our freedom.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that our country is unique in the entire world; India is the only nation whose borders have been defined by its culture, and it is this very culture that has held India together. It was Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay who awakened the idea of cultural nationalism during the era of colonial subjugation. He said that the mantra that binds our country is our culture, and it was the clarion call of Vande Mataram that, for the first time, firmly established the principle of cultural nationalism. Shri Shah said that today the entire country is embracing and marching forward with the vision of cultural nationalism. The Home Minister said that India is not merely a piece of land; it is the embodiment of our Mother, and we sing devotional hymns to Her. Vande Mataram is precisely that expression of devotion. In the composition of Vande Mataram, the concept of Bharat Mata has been described with profound emotion: She is portrayed as the bestower of water, fruits, and prosperity; adorned with flowers, delighting the heart and mind; and as the very form of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Durga. He said that, in essence, our prosperity, security, knowledge, and progress can only be attained through the grace and worship of Mother India. The valour of Durga, the abundance of Lakshmi, and the intellect of Saraswati can only be granted to us by the grace of Mother India and the sacred soil of this land. That is why we must repeatedly bow in reverence to Her.

Shri Amit Shah said that the motherland gives us our identity and language, forms the basis of a civilized way of life, and provides the opportunity to elevate our lives. He said that nothing can be greater than the motherland, and this eternal sentiment was revived by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. In the dark era of slavery, Vande Mataram worked like a flash of lightning, awakening the spirit of attaining Swaraj in the hearts of people by helping them shed the mentality of servitude. Shri Shah said that during the freedom movement, the last words spoken by all our freedom fighters as they embraced martyrdom were ‘Vande Mataram’. He said that in 1907, an English newspaper named Vande Mataram was started in Calcutta, whose editor was Maharshi Aurobindo. The British government considered it the most dangerous nationalist paper and charged Shri Aurobindo with sedition, sentencing him.

Union Home Minister said that in 1896, Gurudev Tagore publicly sang Vande Mataram for the first time at a session of the Congress. In 1905, at the Varanasi session, the great poetess Sarala Devi Chaudhurani sang the complete Vande Mataram and on 15 August 1947, when the country became independent, at 6:30 in the morning, at the request of Sardar Patel, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur sang Vande Mataram on All India Radio in his melodious voice, moving the entire nation. He said that on 24 January 1950, in the final meeting of the Constituent Assembly, Vande Mataram was declared the National Song, giving it equal honor to the National Anthem.

Shri Amit Shah said that the tendency to avoid discussing Vande Mataram is not new. In 1925, on the golden jubilee of Vande Mataram, if the leader of the then main political party had not split ‘Vande Mataram’ and started appeasement, the partition of the country would not have occurred. He said that at its 50th milestone, Vande Mataram was limited, and from there the politics of appeasement began, which later resulted in the partition of the country. Shri Shah said that if Vande Mataram had not been divided into two parts under the policy of appeasement, the country would not have been partitioned. He said that during the 100th year of Vande Mataram, all those who spoke Vande Mataram were imprisoned by the then Prime Minister. He said that during that period, the Emergency was imposed in the country, and lakhs of opposition members, social workers, and members of voluntary organizations were jailed. Union Home Minister said that during the Emergency, newspaper offices were locked without any reason. Even Kishore Kumar’s voice was not allowed to be broadcast on All India Radio, and duet songs were played only in Lata Ji’s voice. When Vande Mataram completed 100 years, the entire country was practically held captive. Shri Shah said that the opposition party, whose sessions used to begin with Gurudev Tagore singing Vande Mataram, when the same Vande Mataram was discussed in Lok Sabha, the members of the prominent family associated with that party were absent. He added that the disrespect and insult toward Vande Mataram have run in the veins of the leadership of the principal opposition party ever since the freedom struggle and continues even today.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that a leader of the main opposition party stated in the Lok Sabha that there is no need to discuss Vande Mataram today. The song that Mahatma Gandhi described as being connected to the purest soul of the nation, and that Bipin Chandra Pal called the integrated expression of national devotion and duty in Rashtradharma, was also divided by the opposition party itself. He said that Vande Mataram also played a role at the international level in energizing our freedom movement. Shri Shah said that during the period of colonial rule, even at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, our hockey team sang Vande Mataram with deep emotion, and we won the gold medal.

Union Home Minister said that the very foundation of their party was laid on the principle of cultural nationalism. He said that their party was formed so that the country would not run on the basis of Western culture, but instead on its own original culture and core ideas.

Shri Amit Shah said that it is in the records that the singing of Vande Mataram was stopped in this Parliament. He said that in 1992, MP Shri Ram Naik raised the issue through a short-duration discussion, demanding that Vande Mataram be sung again in Parliament. At that time, Shri Lal Krishna Advani, who was the Leader of the Opposition, strongly told the Speaker of the Lok Sabha that Vande Mataram should be sung in this great House, because it had been accepted by the Constituent Assembly. It was only then that, with unanimous agreement, the Lok Sabha resumed the singing of Vande Mataram in 1992.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that when they initiated the singing of Vande Mataram, many members of the opposition alliance had said at that time as well that they would not sing Vande Mataram. Union Home Minister said he has observed that, before the singing of Vande Mataram begins, some members seated in the House stand up and walk out as soon as the song starts. Shri Shah added that there is not a single member of their party who does not stand during the singing of Vande Mataram.  

Shri Amit Shah said that on the 130th death anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the government issued a postal stamp through the Department of Posts, and on the 75th anniversary of Independence, it launched the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. At that time, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had urged the public not to forget to say Vande Mataram while hoisting the national flag.

Union Home Minister said that the Government of India has also decided to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in a grand manner. He said that on 1st October 2025, the Cabinet passed a resolution deciding that the entire upcoming year would be celebrated as a tribute to Vande Mataram. On 24 October 2025, the framework for coordination programs at the national and international levels was finalized. Shri Shah said that on 7 November 2025, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated this campaign in New Delhi by offering floral tributes to Bharat Mata. Its first phase was completed in November; the second phase will be in January 2026, the third phase in August 2026, and the fourth phase in November 2026. He added that a commemorative postage stamp and coin have also been issued.

Shri Amit Shah said that a special cultural presentation titled “Vande Mataram – Naad Ekam Roop Anekam” has been composed by 75 musicians, and in response to the Government of India’s call, people across the country sang Vande Mataram collectively on 7 November. He said that a documentary has been made to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram. Exhibitions on Vande Mataram will also be shown to the public in every district and tehsil. Further, this exhibition will be sent digitally to crores of people.

Union Home Minister said that the government has decided to organize special programs on All India Radio, Doordarshan, and FM radio channels. He said that the Press Information Bureau (PIB) will hold discussions and gatherings in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Cultural events based on Vande Mataram will be organized in all Indian embassies. Tree plantation drives are underway under Vande Mataram: Salute to Mother Earth. Patriotic murals and depictions of the history of Vande Mataram will also be displayed along highways. Public announcements will be made through LED displays at railway stations and airports. Additionally, work has begun on producing 25 short films based on Vande Mataram and the life of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Shri Amit Shah said that when the country completed 75 years of independence, despite the COVID period, the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ was celebrated for two full years in every village across the nation. Through the Amrit Mahotsav, we acquainted the young generation of this country with the entire saga of the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947. He said that numerous unsung heroes of the freedom movement—whose names were never even recorded in history—were identified, their details traced, memorials were built in their honour, countless programmes were organised across the country, and a concerted effort was made to generate a fresh surge of patriotism. He added that for the first time after independence, such extensive programmes were conducted.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the 75 years since independence, every government that has come to power has taken the country far ahead. He said that we have greatly strengthened our democracy, and today the roots of our democracy have become extremely strong. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has named the period from the 75th to the 100th year of independence as the ‘Amrit Kaal’. The Prime Minister has placed a resolve before the youth of the country: that we will treat this period from the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to the centenary of independence as a phase of challenges. When the centenary of independence is celebrated, our country will stand first in the world in every field. He emphasised that this is not merely the resolve of PM Modi or any particular political party. Some people may dismiss it as just a political slogan, but it is in fact the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians, and it will certainly be fulfilled. Home Minister further said that it is nothing short of divine coincidence that the 150th year of Vande Mataram has arrived precisely when we are observing the Amrit Kaal. Through this milestone, we will once again kindle the flame of patriotism across the nation.

Shri Amit Shah said that Vande Mataram will never become irrelevant. The need that existed for it when it was composed is just as great today. He said that at that time, Vande Mataram became the driving force to liberate the country, whereas in this Amrit Kaal, Vande Mataram will become the rallying cry to make India developed and great.

Union Home Minister said that it is the shared responsibility of every member of this House to once again awaken the spirit of Vande Mataram in the heart of every child, to firmly instill the chant of Vande Mataram in the mind of every adolescent, and to inspire every youth to dedicate their life to the path illuminated by the true meaning of Vande Mataram. He said that the clarion call of Vande Mataram should become the driving force behind the creation of the India that our freedom fighters had dreamed of.

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) held in Mumbai today. The Union Minister also launched the Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism, marking a major step toward digital visitor services for improved access to lighthouse destinations across India.

The prestigious global event, being held from December 8–12, is organised by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and brings together 42 IALA Council members, three AIMG members, 11 observers, IALA Secretariat delegates and representatives from more than 30 countries.

Speaking at the inaugural session, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said hosting the council in Mumbai reflects India’s rising role in shaping the future of global maritime standards. Sarbananda Sonowal referenced India’s maritime legacy dating back to the Harappan era and highlighted India’s development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, including the dedicated Lighthouse Museum that celebrates India’s maritime past and future.

The Union Minister underscored the growing relevance of global cooperation as technology reshapes maritime navigation, including autonomous shipping, satellite-enabled systems and digital vessel management. Sonowal noted the importance of IALA’s leadership in harmonising navigation standards worldwide and reaffirmed India’s partnership in the pursuit of safe, efficient and sustainable maritime navigation.

Speaking at the event, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India’s maritime sector is undergoing a transformational shift — from infrastructure expansion and digital innovation to green and sustainable shipping. PM Modi ji’s strategic focus has positioned India not only as a key maritime nation but as a trusted contributor to global standards, safety and cooperation.”

During the event, Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism, supporting digital access, transparency and convenience for visitors across 75 lighthouse destinations. The minister noted that all lighthouses in India are now solar powered and tourism at these sites has grown significantly over the past decade.

Sarbananda Sonowal told the gathering, “It is a matter of great pride for India to host the 3rd IALA Council Session in Mumbai. As technologies such as autonomous shipping, satellite-based navigation systems and digitalisation rapidly evolve, the role of IALA in global harmonisation of navigation standards becomes even more critical. India stands firmly with IALA in pursuit of safe, efficient and sustainable navigation.”

Highlighting major national initiatives, Sonowal cited reforms under Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which focus on strengthening port infrastructure, advancing shipbuilding capability, improving logistics efficiency, promoting green shipping and accelerating digital transformation. The Union Minister said these initiatives represent India’s long-term maritime strategy under the leadership of the prime minister.

The Union Minister added that aids to navigation remain central to maritime safety, and India continues to invest in modern AtoN systems, digital navigation solutions and capacity-building for developing maritime nations.

“Our dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has redefined India’s maritime trajectory with bold reforms and a future-facing roadmap for Amrit Kaal. Whether it is digital ticketing for lighthouse tourism, modern navigation systems or green shipping initiatives, every milestone reflects his commitment to making India a leader in safe, smart and sustainable maritime operations,” added the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

India serves as an active IALA Council member, contributing to technical cooperation, training and global standard-setting, while collaborating with international partners to enhance safe navigation practices.

Hosting the 3rd IALA Council Session in Mumbai underscores India’s commitment to strengthening global maritime cooperation and advancing international standards in navigation, safety and sustainability.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the special discussion on 150 years of the National Song, Vande Mataram in Lok Sabha today. The Prime Minister expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the esteemed Members of the House for choosing the path of collective discussion on this significant occasion. He remarked that Vande Mataram, the mantra and the clarion call which energized and inspired the freedom movement of the nation, showing the path of sacrifice and penance, is being remembered and it is a great privilege for all in the House. Shri Modi highlighted that it is a matter of pride that the nation is witnessing the historic occasion of 150 years of Vande Mataram. He stated that this period brings before us countless events of history. The Prime Minister emphasized that this discussion will not only reflect the commitment of the House but can also serve as a source of education for future generations, if all collectively make good use of it.

Shri Modi remarked that this is a period when many inspiring chapters of history are once again being revealed before us. He highlighted that the nation has recently celebrated 75 years of the Constitution with pride. He noted that the country is also commemorating the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda, He added that recently the nation observed the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

The Prime Minister stated that today, on the occasion of 150 years of Vande Mataram, the House is making an effort to experience its collective energy. He emphasized that the 150-year journey of Vande Mataram has passed through many milestones. Recalling that when Vande Mataram completed 50 years, the nation was compelled to live under colonial rule, Shri Modi said that when it reached 100 years, the country was shackled by the chains of Emergency. He pointed out that at the time of the centenary celebrations of Vande Mataram, the Constitution of India was throttled. He further remarked that when Vande Mataram marked 100 years, those who lived and died for patriotism were imprisoned behind bars. The Prime Minister underscored that the song which had given energy to the nation’s freedom, when it completed 100 years, unfortunately coincided with a dark chapter in our history, when democracy itself was under severe strain.

“The 150 years of Vande Mataram present an opportunity to re-establish that great chapter and glory, and neither the House nor the nation should let this occasion pass”, stressed Shri Modi. He highlighted that it was Vande Mataram which led the country to independence in 1947, and the emotional leadership of the freedom struggle was embodied in its clarion call.

Prime Minister stated that as he stood to initiate the discussion on Vande Mataram at 150 years, there was no division of ruling or opposition, as for all present it was truly an occasion to acknowledge the debt owed to Vande Mataram, which inspired goal-oriented leaders to carry forward the freedom movement, resulting in the independence that allows all to sit in the House today. He emphasized that for all Members of Parliament and representatives, this is a sacred occasion to accept that debt. Shri Modi  underscored that from this inspiration, the spirit of Vande Mataram which fought the battle for freedom, uniting the entire nation—North, South, East, and West—in one voice, must once again guide us. He called upon all to move forward together, to fulfill the dreams envisioned by the freedom fighters, making Vande Mataram at 150 the source of inspiration and energy for all. He stressed that this is an opportunity to reaffirm the resolve of building a self-reliant nation and achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Shri Modi stated that the journey of Vande Mataram began with Bankim Chandra Ji in 1875. He highlighted that the song was composed at a time when, after the 1857 freedom struggle, the British Empire was unsettled and imposed various pressures and injustices upon India, forcing its people into submission. The Prime Minister remarked that during that period, the national anthem of the British, ‘God Save The Queen’, was being conspired to spread into every household in India. He emphasized that it was then that Bankim Da issued a challenge, responding with greater force, and from that defiance Vande Mataram was born. He noted that a few years later, in 1882, when Bankim Chandra wrote ‘Anand Math’, the song was incorporated into the work.

Emphasising that Vande Mataram revived the thought that had been deeply ingrained in the veins of India for thousands of years, the PM highlighted that the same sentiment, the same values, the same culture, and the same tradition were gifted to the nation in the finest words and noble spirit through Vande Mataram. He emphasized that Vande Mataram was not merely a mantra for political freedom or simply about driving away the British and charting our own path; it went far beyond that. The Prime Minister stated that the freedom struggle was also a sacred battle to liberate the motherland, to free Mother India from shackles. He noted that when we look at the background of Vande Mataram and its stream of values, we see a recurring truth from the Vedic era. He underscored that when we say Vande Mataram, it reminds us of the Vedic declaration meaning that this land is my mother and I am her son.

The Prime Minister remarked that this very thought was echoed by Lord Shri Ram when he renounced the grandeur of Lanka, declaring “Janani Janmabhoomishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi”. He highlighted that Vande Mataram is the modern embodiment of this great cultural tradition.

Prime Minister stated that when Bankim Da composed Vande Mataram, it naturally became the voice of the freedom movement. He emphasized that from East to West, North to South, Vande Mataram became the resolve of every Indian.

Recalling that a few days earlier, at the commencement of Vande Mataram at 150, Shri Modi had stated that Vande Mataram embodied thousands of years of cultural energy, carried the spirit of freedom, and also held the vision of an independent India. He remarked that during the British era, a fashion had emerged to portray India as weak, incompetent, lazy, and idle, and even those educated under colonial influence echoed the same language. The Prime Minister highlighted that Bankim Da shook off this inferiority complex and revealed India’s powerful form through Vande Mataram. He underscored that Bankim Da composed lines which emphasised that Mother India is both the goddess of knowledge and prosperity, and also the fierce Chandika who wields weapons against enemies.

Underscoring that these words, sentiments, and inspirations gave courage to Indians in the despair of slavery, Shri Modi highlighted that these lines made millions of countrymen realize that the struggle was not for a piece of land, nor merely to capture the throne of power, but to break the chains of colonialism and to revive the great traditions, the glorious culture, and the proud history of thousands of years.

Prime Minister stated that the deep connect of Vande Mataram with the masses expressed itself as a long saga of our freedom struggle. He further remarked that whenever a river is mentioned—be it Sindhu, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Ganga, or Yamuna—it carries with it a stream of culture, a flow of development, and the impact of human life. He emphasized that similarly, every stage of the freedom struggle flowed with the spirit of Vande Mataram, and its shores nurtured that sentiment. The Prime Minister underscored that such poetic expression, where the entire journey of independence was intertwined with the emotions of Vande Mataram, may perhaps never be found anywhere else in the world.

Shri Modi remarked that the British had realized after 1857 that it would be difficult for them to remain in India for long, and with the dreams they had brought, they felt that unless India was divided, unless its people were made to fight among themselves, ruling here would be impossible. He highlighted that the British chose the path of divide and rule and made Bengal its laboratory, as they knew that Bengal’s intellectual strength at that time gave direction, power, and inspiration to the nation, becoming a focal point of India’s collective strength. The Prime Minister stated that this was why the British first worked towards breaking Bengal, believing that once Bengal was divided, the country too would collapse, and they could continue their rule. He recalled that in 1905, when the British committed the sin of partitioning Bengal, Vande Mataram stood firm like a rock. He emphasized that for the unity of Bengal, Vande Mataram became the resonant call in every street, inspiring the people. The Prime Minister underscored that with the partition of Bengal, the British sought to sow deeper seeds of weakening India, but Vande Mataram, as a single voice and unifying thread, became a challenge for the British and a rock of strength for the nation.

The Prime Minister remarked that although the partition of Bengal took place, it gave rise to a massive Swadeshi movement, and at that time Vande Mataram resonated everywhere. He highlighted that the British realized the power of the sentiment created by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, whose song shook their foundations so much that they were compelled to impose legal bans on it. The Prime Minister stated that singing it was punished, printing it was punished, and even uttering the words Vande Mataram invited punishment under harsh laws. He emphasized that hundreds of women led and contributed to the freedom struggle, citing the example of Barisal, where the greatest atrocities were committed for singing Vande Mataram. He recalled that mothers, sisters, and children came forward in Barisal to defend the dignity of Vande Mataram. Shri Modi mentioned the courageous Sarojini Ghosh, who declared that until the ban on Vande Mataram was lifted, she would remove her bangles and not wear them again, a vow of immense significance in those times. He noted that children too were not left behind, as they were flogged, imprisoned at tender ages, yet continued to march in morning processions chanting Vande Mataram, defying the British. He highlighted that in Bengal’s streets, a Bengali song echoed meaning that, “Dear Mother, serving you and chanting Vande Mataram, even if life is lost, that life is blessed,” which became the voice of children and gave courage to the nation.

Shri Modi further recalled that in 1905, in Haritpur village, very young children chanting Vande Mataram were brutally flogged, forced into a struggle between life and death. Similarly, in 1906, children of Neel City High School in Nagpur faced atrocities for the same “crime” of chanting Vande Mataram in unison, proving the power of the mantra through their strength. The Prime Minister underscored that brave sons of India climbed the gallows without fear, with their last breath chanting Vande Mataram—Khudiram Bose, Madanlal Dhingra, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Roshan Singh, Rajendranath Lahiri, Ramkrishna Biswas, and countless others who embraced the noose with Vande Mataram on their lips. He emphasized that though these sacrifices took place in different prisons, different regions, with different faces and languages, the mantra was one—Vande Mataram, symbolizing one India, a great India. The Prime Minister recalled the Chittagong uprising, where young revolutionaries challenged the British, with names like Hargopal Bal, Pulin Bikash Ghosh, and Tripur Sen shining in history. He noted that when Master Surya Sen was hanged in 1934, he wrote a letter to his comrades, and in it echoed only one word—Vande Mataram.

Underlining that the people of India should feel proud, as nowhere else in world history can there be found a poem or a song that for centuries inspired millions towards a single goal, urging them to dedicate their lives, as Vande Mataram did, Shri Modi emphasized that the world must know that even during the period of colonialism, India produced individuals capable of creating such a profound song of sentiment, which is a wonder for humanity. The Prime Minister stated that we must proclaim this with pride, and then the world too will begin to celebrate it. He underscored that Vande Mataram was the mantra of freedom, the mantra of sacrifice, the mantra of energy, the mantra of purity, the mantra of dedication, the mantra of renunciation and penance, and the mantra that gave strength to endure hardships. He highlighted that this mantra was Vande Mataram. The Prime Minister recalled that Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had written, “Bound in one thread are thousands of minds, dedicated to one work are thousands of lives—Vande Mataram.”

Noting that during that period, recordings of Vande Mataram reached different parts of the world, and London, which had become a kind of pilgrimage site for revolutionaries, the PM said that people saw Veer Savarkar singing Vande Mataram at India House, where the song echoed repeatedly, serving as a great source of inspiration for those ready to live and die for the nation. He highlighted that at the same time, Bipin Chandra Pal and Maharshi Aurobindo Ghosh launched a newspaper and named it ‘Vande Mataram’, as the song alone was enough to disturb the sleep of the British at every step. The Prime Minister noted that when the British imposed restrictions on newspapers, Madam Bhikaji Cama published a paper in Paris and named it ‘Vande Mataram’.

“Vande Mataram also showed India the path of self-reliance”, exclaimed Shri Modi, highlighting that during that time, from matchboxes to large ships, the tradition of inscribing Vande Mataram became a medium to challenge foreign companies and turned into a mantra of Swadeshi. He emphasized that the mantra of freedom expanded as the mantra of Swadeshi.

Prime Minister recalled another incident from 1907, when V.O. Chidambaram Pillai built a ship for the Swadeshi company and inscribed Vande Mataram on it. He noted that national poet Subramania Bharati translated Vande Mataram into Tamil and composed hymns, with devotion to Vande Mataram clearly visible in many of his patriotic songs. The Prime Minister underscored that Bharati also wrote India’s flag song, which described a flag inscribed with Vande Mataram. He quoted the Tamil verse translated as: “O patriots, behold and respectfully salute, bow to the divine flag of my Mother.”

The Prime Minister remarked that he wished to place before the House the sentiments of Mahatma Gandhi on Vande Mataram. He recalled that in the weekly journal, ‘Indian Opinion’ published from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi had written on 2 December 1905. Gandhi Ji noted that Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra, had become immensely popular across Bengal, and during the Swadeshi movement, massive gatherings were held where lakhs of people sang Bankim’s song. The Prime Minister highlighted Gandhi Ji’s words stating the song had become so popular that it was almost like the national anthem. Gandhi Ji wrote that its emotions were noble, sweeter than the songs of other nations, and that its sole purpose was to awaken patriotism within us. He emphasized that Gandhi Ji described the song as seeing India as the Mother and venerating her.

The Prime Minister remarked that the Vande Mataram which Mahatma Gandhi had seen as the national anthem in 1905, and which was a source of immense strength for every Indian, both within the country and abroad, later suffered grave injustice in the last century. He questioned why such betrayal occurred with Vande Mataram, why such injustice was done, and which forces were so powerful that they overshadowed even the sentiments of revered Bapu, dragging this sacred inspiration into controversy. Shri Modi emphasized that as we celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram, it is our duty to inform the new generations about the circumstances that led to this betrayal. He highlighted that the Muslim League’s politics of opposition to Vande Mataram was intensifying, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah raised a slogan against Vande Mataram from Lucknow on 15 October 1937. The Prime Minister stated that instead of firmly countering the baseless statements of the Muslim League and  condemning them, Jawaharlal Nehru, then Congress President did not reaffirm his and the Indian National Congress (INC) Party’s commitment to Vande Mataram and began questioning Vande Mataram itself. He recalled that just five days after Jinnah’s opposition, on 20 October 1937, Nehru wrote a letter to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, agreeing with Jinnah’s sentiment and stating that the ‘Anand Math’ background of Vande Mataram could irritate Muslims. The Prime Minister quoted Nehru’s words: “I have read the background of the Vande Mataram song. I feel that this background may provoke Muslims.”

The Prime Minister remarked that following this, a statement came from the Indian National Congress that from 26 October 1937, the Congress Working Committee would meet in Kolkata to review the use of Vande Mataram. He highlighted that it was Bankim Babu’s Bengal, Bankim Babu’s Kolkata, that was chosen for this review. The Prime Minister stated that the entire nation was stunned and shocked, and patriots across the country opposed the proposal by organizing morning processions and singing Vande Mataram. He emphasized that unfortunately, on 26 October 1937, Congress compromised on Vande Mataram, fragmenting it in their decision. He noted that this decision was cloaked under the guise of social harmony, but history bears witness that INC bowed before the Muslim League and acted under its pressure, adopting a politics of appeasement.

Addressing the House, the Prime Minister remarked that under the pressure of appeasement politics, Congress bent for the division of Vande Mataram, and therefore one day had to bend for the partition of India. He asserted that INC had outsourced its decisions, and regrettably, its policies remain unchanged. The Prime Minister criticized the opposition & its allies for resorting to appeasement politics and continued attempts to create controversies around Vande Mataram.

The Prime Minister remarked that the true character of any nation is revealed not in its good times but during periods of challenge and crisis, when it is tested and proven on the touchstone of resilience, strength, and capability. He highlighted that after independence in 1947, while the country’s challenges and priorities changed, the spirit and life force of the nation remained the same, continuing to inspire. The Prime Minister emphasized that whenever India faced crises, the nation advanced with the spirit of Vande Mataram. He noted that even today, on occasions like 15 August and 26 January, the sentiment is visible everywhere as the tricolour flies proudly in every home. He recalled that during the food crisis, it was the spirit of Vande Mataram that inspired farmers to fill the nation’s granaries. He stated that when attempts were made to crush India’s freedom, when the Constitution was stabbed and Emergency imposed, it was the strength of Vande Mataram that enabled the nation to rise and overcome. The Prime Minister underscored that whenever wars were thrust upon the country, whenever struggles arose, it was the spirit of Vande Mataram that made soldiers stand firm at the borders, ensuring the flag of Mother India continued to wave in victory. He further remarked that even during the global crisis of COVID-19, the nation stood with the same spirit, defeated the challenge, and moved forward.

The Prime Minister remarked that this is the strength of the nation, a powerful flow of energy that connects the country with emotions, a stream of consciousness, and a reflection of the unbroken cultural current that propels progress. “Vande Mataram is not merely a period of remembrance but a time to draw new energy and inspiration, and to dedicate ourselves to it”, emphasised Shri Modi, reiterating that the nation owes a debt to Vande Mataram, which created the path that brought us here, and therefore it is our duty to honor it. The Prime Minister highlighted that India has the capability to overcome every challenge, and the spirit of Vande Mataram embodies that strength. He stated that Vande Mataram is not just a song or a hymn, but a source of inspiration that awakens us to our duties towards the nation, and must be continuously upheld. He underscored that as we pursue the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vande Mataram remains our inspiration. He noted that while times and forms may change, the sentiment expressed by Mahatma Gandhi continues to hold strength even today, and Vande Mataram unites us. The Prime Minister remarked that the dream of the great leaders was of an independent India, while the dream of today’s generation is of a prosperous India. He emphasized that just as the spirit of Vande Mataram nurtured the dream of freedom, it will also nurture the dream of prosperity. He called upon all to move forward with this sentiment, to build a self-reliant India, and to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047. He stated that if 50 years before independence someone could dream of a free India, then 25 years before 2047 we too can dream of a prosperous and developed India, and dedicate ourselves to realizing it. The Prime Minister concluded that with this mantra and resolve, Vande Mataram will continue to inspire, reminding us of our debt, guiding us with its spirit, and uniting the nation to fulfill this dream. He expressed confidence that this discussion will become a reason to fill the nation with sentiment, inspire the country, and energize the new generation, and he conveyed his deep gratitude for the opportunity.

In a continued drive to deepen political engagement for a “TB Mukt Bharat,” Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda today met Members of Parliament (MPs) from Rajasthan on the sidelines of the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The session is part of a sustained series of briefings with parliamentarians from different states aimed at strengthening collective leadership in India’s fight against tuberculosis.

Today’s session witnessed the presence of Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Railway & Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu along with MPs from both Houses representing Rajasthan at the Parliament House Annexe Extension in New Delhi. The deliberations highlighted the central role of elected representatives in accelerating India’s progress towards eliminating TB, a disease that continues to affect millions worldwide.

Commending the leadership and participation of the Rajasthan MPs, Shri Nadda applauded the state’s achievements in expanding access to TB screening and treatment while stressing the need for continued vigilance to counter the challenge of asymptomatic TB. He noted that India’s TB incidence has declined by 21% between 2015 and 2024, nearly twice as fast as the global rate, and the country now records a 90% treatment success rate, as reported in the WHO Global TB Report 2025.

The Minister urged parliamentarians to lead from the front in strengthening district-level action, supporting Ni-kshay Mitras, and mobilizing communities to eliminate TB stigma and ensure timely diagnosis and care. “The TB Mukt Bharat initiative exemplifies how political will and public participation can come together to end an age-old public health challenge,” he emphasized.

The Rajasthan MPs resolved to expand local awareness campaigns, organize Ni-kshay Shivirs for early detection, and ensure routine oversight of TB interventions within their constituencies. They reiterated their commitment to championing community-led initiatives that provide nutritional, psychosocial, and livelihood support to people affected by TB.

Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava outlined the government’s strategic priorities, including intensified community-based screening, rollout of AI-driven diagnostic tools, and nutrition-focused interventions to enhance treatment outcomes. Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik presented an overview of progress made under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the path forward.

Describing India’s oceans a largely untapped national asset, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said the blue economy has the potential to emerge as a major driver of the country’s future growth, contributing to energy security, food needs, and strategic strength.

The Minister was delivering keynote address at the session titled “Blue Economy, Oceans, Poles, Earth and Ecology – Sagarika, the tale of earth sciences” during the India International Science Festival.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that while oceans have been central to India’s civilisational understanding, systematic efforts to harness their economic and scientific potential have gained momentum only in recent years. He underlined that the government’s focus on the blue economy is clearly reflected in the Prime Minister’s Independence Day addresses in 2023 and 2024, where it was identified as a national priority.

Highlighting India’s geographical advantage, the minister pointed out that the country has a coastline of over 11,000 km and an exclusive economic zone of more than 2.37 million square kilometres. “Nearly 60 per cent of our landmass-equivalent lies in the ocean, yet its contribution to value creation has remained limited so far,” he said, adding that achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047 would require looking beyond land-based resources.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Deep Ocean Mission would play a central role in institutionalising India’s ocean-related research and economic activities. He noted that oceans hold reserves of minerals, metals, biodiversity, and fisheries, and can significantly supplement the country’s clean energy transition. Referring to renewable options, he spoke about offshore wind energy, ocean-based solar power, tidal and wave energy, thermal energy derived from temperature differences in seawater, and even energy from saline gradients.

At the same time, he cautioned about emerging challenges, including climate-induced threats such as coastal erosion, marine heat waves and intensified cyclones, as well as non-climatic issues like marine litter and pollution. Effective resource mapping, use of appropriate technology and greater participation of the private sector were essential to address these concerns, he said.

The Minister also flagged the strategic dimension of the blue economy, stating that sustainable use of ocean resources would strengthen India’s geopolitical standing in a changing global order. He noted that marine transport, deep-sea mining, biotechnology, and the discovery of new pharmaceutical compounds from ocean biodiversity could open fresh economic opportunities.

The panel discussion was attended by senior officials including the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, and the Chief Secretary of Government of Haryana, with scientists and administrators emphasising the need for coordinated action between government, research institutions, and industry.

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by urging collective efforts to responsibly explore ocean resources, stressing that the decisions taken today would shape India’s economic and ecological future.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion, he noted the presence of numerous distinguished guests from India and abroad at the Summit and extended his greetings to the organizers and all those who shared their thoughts. Shri Modi noted that Shobhana ji mentioned two points which he observed carefully. The first was her reference to his previous visit when he had given a suggestion, something rarely done with media houses, but he had done so. He expressed happiness that Shobhana ji and her team had enthusiastically carried it out. He highlighted that when he visited the exhibition, he saw how the photographers had captured moments in such a way that they became immortal, and he urged everyone to see it. Shri Modi further remarked on Shobhana ji’s second point, interpreting it as not just a wish that he continue serving the nation, but as Hindustan Times itself saying that he should continue serving in the same way, for which he expressed special gratitude.

Shri Modi highlighted that the theme of this year’s summit is Transforming Tomorrow. He pointed out that Hindustan Times has a 101-year history and carries the blessings of great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Ghanshyamdas Birla. He remarked that when this newspaper discusses Transforming Tomorrow, it gives the nation confidence that the transformation happening in India is not merely about possibilities but is a true narrative of changing lives, changing mindsets, and changing directions.

Noting that today also marks the Mahaparinirvan Diwas of the chief architect of Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shri Modi, on behalf of all Indians paid tribute to him. He highlighted that we stand at a juncture where one-fourth of the 21st century has already passed. He noted that in these 25 years the world has witnessed many ups and downs, including financial crises, a global pandemic, technological disruptions, a fragmented world, and ongoing wars. The Prime Minister emphasized that all these situations in some form are challenging the world, which is filled with uncertainties. “In this era of uncertainty, India is showing itself in a different league, brimming with self-confidence”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that when the world speaks of slowdown, India writes a story of growth; when the world faces a crisis of trust, India is becoming a pillar of trust; and when the world moves towards fragmentation, India is emerging as a bridge-builder.

Underscoring that just a few days ago India’s Quarter-2 GDP figures were released, showing a growth rate of more than eight percent, which reflects the new momentum of progress, the Prime Minister emphasized that this is not just a number but a strong macro-economic signal, a message that India today is becoming the growth driver of the global economy. He highlighted that these figures come at a time when global growth is around three percent and the economies of the G-7 average about one and a half percent. He underlined that in such circumstances India has emerged as a model of high growth and low inflation. Shri Modi recalled that there was a time when economists expressed concern about high inflation, but today the same economists speak of low inflation.

Emphasising that India’s achievements are not ordinary, nor are they merely about statistics, but represent a fundamental change brought by the nation in the past decade, the Prime Minister noted that this fundamental change is about resilience, about the tendency to find solutions to problems, about removing clouds of apprehension and expanding aspirations. He added that it is for this reason that today’s India is transforming itself and is also transforming the tomorrow to come.

Prime Minister Modi remarked that while discussing transforming tomorrow, it must be understood that the confidence in transformation is based on the strong foundation of the work being carried out today. He emphasized that today’s reforms and today’s performance are paving the way for tomorrow’s transformation.

Highlighting the approach with which the government is working, Shri Modi noted that a large part of India’s potential remained untapped for a long time. He stated that when this untapped potential receives greater opportunities, when it participates fully and without hindrance in the nation’s development, the transformation of the country is certain. The Prime Minister urged reflection on eastern India, the North East, villages, tier-two and tier-three cities, the women power, the innovative youth, the maritime strength and blue economy, and the space sector, pointing out that their full potential had not been utilized in previous decades. He underlined that today India is working with the vision of tapping this untapped potential. Shri Modi further noted that unprecedented investment is being made in modern infrastructure, connectivity, and industry in eastern India. He remarked that villages and small towns are being equipped with modern facilities, that small towns are becoming new centers for startups and MSMEs, and that farmers in villages are forming FPOs to directly connect with global markets.

“India’s women power is achieving remarkable feats and that daughters of the nation are excelling in every field”, exclaimed the Prime Minister,  emphasizing that this transformation is no longer limited to women empowerment alone, but is transforming both the mindset and the strength of society.

Prime Minister highlighted that when new opportunities are created and obstacles are removed, new wings are added to soar in the sky. Citing the example of India’s space sector, which earlier remained under government control, Shri Modi noted that reforms were introduced to open the space sector to the private sector, and the results are now visible to the nation. He stated that just 10–11 days ago he inaugurated Skyroot’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad. He underlined that Skyroot, a private Indian space company, is working towards the capacity to build one rocket every month and is developing the flight-ready Vikram-1. The Prime Minister remarked that the government provided the platform and India’s youth are building a new future upon it, affirming that this is the true transformation.

Underlining that another change in India deserves discussion, Shri Modi recalled that there was a time when reforms were reactionary, driven either by political interests or by the need to manage a crisis. He emphasized that today reforms are undertaken with national goals in mind. The Prime Minister highlighted that improvements are happening across every sector, with India’s pace remaining constant, its direction consistent, and its intent firmly rooted in Nation First. He underlined that the year 2025 has been a year of such reforms, with the most significant being the next-generation GST. Prime Minister noted that the impact of these reforms has been witnessed across the country. He further remarked that this year a major reform was also introduced in the direct tax system, with zero tax on income up to 12 lakh rupees, a step that was unimaginable even a decade ago.

Mentioning that continuing the series of reforms, Shri Modi said just three to four days ago the definition of a Small Company was amended. He highlighted that as a result, thousands of companies have now come under the ambit of simpler rules, faster processes, and better facilities. The Prime Minister further noted that nearly 200 product categories have also been removed from the mandatory Quality Control Order.

“Today’s journey of India is not only about development but also about a change in mindset, a psychological renaissance”, said the Prime Minister. He emphasized that no nation can progress without self-confidence, and unfortunately, long years of colonial rule had shaken India’s confidence due to colonial mindset. The Prime Minister highlighted that this colonial mindset has been a major obstacle in achieving the goal of a developed India, and therefore today’s India is working to free itself from it.

Noting that the British knew well that to rule India for a long time, they had to strip Indians of their confidence and instill a sense of inferiority, which they did during that era, Shri Modi remarked that Indian family structures were labeled as outdated, Indian attire was termed unprofessional, Indian festivals and culture were called irrational, yoga and Ayurveda were dismissed as unscientific, and Indian inventions were ridiculed. He underlined that these notions were repeatedly propagated, taught, and reinforced for decades, leading to the shattering of Indian self-confidence.

Remarking on the widespread impact of the colonial mindset, Shri Modi said he would cite examples to illustrate it. He highlighted that today India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world, being described as a global growth engine and a global powerhouse, with one achievement after another. He emphasized that despite India’s rapid growth today, no one refers to it as the ‘Hindu rate of growth’. He recalled that the term was used when India struggled for growth rates of two to three percent. The Prime Minister questioned whether linking a country’s economic growth to the religion or identity of its people could have happened inadvertently, asserting that it was instead a reflection of the colonial mindset. He remarked that an entire society and tradition were equated with unproductivity and poverty, with attempts made to prove that India’s slow growth was due to Hindu civilization and culture. Shri Modi pointed out the irony that those so-called intellectuals who find communalism in everything failed to see communalism in the term Hindu rate of growth, which was made a part of books and research papers during their era.

PM Modi remarked that the colonial mindset had devastated India’s manufacturing ecosystem and explained how the nation is reviving it. He highlighted that even during the colonial period India was a major producer of arms and ammunition, with a strong network of ordnance factories, exporting weapons and having them widely used in world wars. The Prime Minister noted that after independence, the defense manufacturing ecosystem was destroyed, as the colonial mindset led those in government to undervalue weapons made in India, turning the country into one of the world’s largest defense importers.

Emphasising that the same mentality affected the shipbuilding industry, which for centuries had been a major center in India, the Prime Minister recalled that even five to six decades ago, forty percent of India’s trade was carried on Indian ships, but the colonial mindset gave preference to foreign ships. He remarked that the result is evident, as a nation once known for maritime strength became dependent on foreign ships for ninety-five percent of its trade, leading India today to pay nearly $75 billion, or about six lakh crore rupees, annually to foreign shipping companies.

“Whether it is shipbuilding or defense manufacturing, today every sector is striving to leave behind the colonial mindset and achieve new glory”, underscored the Prime Minister.

Shri Modi remarked that the colonial mindset caused great damage to India’s governance approach, as for a long time the government system was marked by distrust of its own citizens. He recalled that earlier people had to get their own documents attested by a government officer, but this distrust was broken and self-attestation was accepted as sufficient.

Highlighting that there were provisions in the country where even minor mistakes were treated as serious crimes, Shri Modi said to change this the Jan-Vishwas law was introduced, through which hundreds of such provisions were decriminalized. He further noted that earlier even for a loan of one thousand rupees, banks demanded guarantees because of excessive distrust. The Prime Minister emphasized that this vicious cycle of distrust was broken through the Mudra Yojana, under which guarantee-free loans worth 37 lakh crore rupees have been given so far. He remarked that this money has given confidence to the youth of families who had nothing to offer as guarantee, enabling them to become entrepreneurs.

Noting that in the country it was always believed that once something was given to the government, it was a one-way traffic with nothing coming back, Shri Modi emphasized that when trust between the government and the people becomes strong, the results are evident through another campaign. The Prime Minister highlighted that it would be surprising to know that 78 thousand crore rupees lie unclaimed in banks, 14 thousand crore rupees with insurance companies, three thousand crore rupees with mutual fund companies, and 9 thousand crore rupees in dividends, all unclaimed. He underlined that this money belongs to poor and middle-class families, and therefore the government is working to return it to its rightful owners. Shri Modi further noted that special camps have been started for this purpose, and so far in about 500 districts such camps have returned thousands of crores of rupees to the rightful beneficiaries.

Emphasising  that this is not merely about the return of assets but about trust, about the commitment to continuously earn the trust of the people, Shri Modi added that the trust of the people is the nation’s true capital, and such campaigns could never have been possible under colonial mindset.

“The nation must be completely freed from colonial mindset in every sphere”, stressed the Prime Minister. He highlighted that just a few days ago he made an appeal to the country, urging everyone to work with a ten-year time frame. Shri Modi further noted that Macaulay’s policy, which sowed the seeds of mental slavery in India, will complete 200 years in 2035, meaning ten years remain. He emphasized that within these ten years, all citizens must ensure that the country is liberated from  colonial mindset.

“India is not a nation that simply follows a set path, and for a better tomorrow it must expand its horizons”, underscored the Prime Minister. He emphasized the need to understand the future requirements of the country and find solutions in the present. He highlighted that this is why he often speaks about the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns, noting that if such initiatives had begun four to five decades earlier, India’s situation today would have been very different. Shri Modi recalled the example of the semiconductor sector, mentioning that five to six decades ago a company had come forward to set up a semiconductor plant in India but was not given due attention, resulting in India falling behind in semiconductor manufacturing.

The Prime Minister further remarked that the energy sector faced a similar situation, pointing out that India currently imports nearly 125 lakh crore rupees worth of petrol, diesel, and gas annually. He underlined that despite the country being blessed with abundant sunlight, until 2014 India’s solar energy generation capacity was only 3 gigawatts. He highlighted that in the past ten years this capacity has risen to around 130 gigawatts, with 22 gigawatts added solely through rooftop solar.

Shri Modi remarked that the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has given citizens direct participation in the campaign for energy security. He highlighted that as the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, he could cite local figures, noting that more than 26,000 households in Varanasi have installed solar plants under the scheme. He emphasized that these installations are generating over three lakh units of electricity daily, saving people nearly five crore rupees every month. Underlining that this solar power generation is reducing around ninety thousand metric tons of carbon emissions annually, which would otherwise require planting more than forty lakh trees to offset, the Prime Minister clarified that he was only presenting the figures from Varanasi, urging reflection on the immense national benefit of the scheme. He remarked that this is an example of how a single initiative can hold the power to transform the future.

Shri Modi pointed out that before 2014 India imported 75 percent of its mobile phones, whereas today mobile phone imports have nearly dropped to zero and the country has become a major exporter. He emphasized that after 2014 a reform was introduced, the nation performed, and the transformative results are now being witnessed by the world.

Underlining that the journey of transforming tomorrow is a journey of numerous schemes, policies, decisions, public aspirations, and public participation, Shri Modi emphasized that it is a journey of continuity, not limited to the discussion of a summit, but a national resolve for India. The Prime Minister concluded by underlining that in this resolve everyone’s cooperation and collective effort are essential, and he once again expressed his deep gratitude to all.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated the newly constructed Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant built by Banas Dairy in Vav-Tharad district of Gujarat and laid the foundation stone for a 150-ton powder plant. On this occasion, Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shri Shankar Chaudhary, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar and Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Union Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, along with many other dignitaries, were present.

Addressing the program, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the journey started by Galbabhai Nanjibhai Patel, who founded Banas Dairy in Banaskantha, has gradually grown to such an extent that today the dairy has a turnover of up to ₹24,000 crore. He said that wherever he goes across the country, he proudly declares that the task of making Gujarat’s villages prosperous has been accomplished by the mothers and sisters of state. The farmers of this region, especially the pioneers of the cooperative movement, the chairmen of village-level milk societies, and the directors of Banas Dairy may not even realize what a massive miracle they have achieved. He added that building a ₹24,000-crore company is a task that would make even the biggest corporate houses break into a sweat, yet the women and farmers of Banaskantha have built a ₹24,000-crore company in the blink of an eye.

Shri Amit Shah said that today he has brought with him Members of Parliament from both Houses of the Indian Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He said that in the coming January, around 250 Chairmen and Managing Directors of dairies from across the country are coming to Banaskantha to personally witness the miracle that has unfolded in this cooperative dairy sector. He recalled that when he used to visit this region after the drought of 1985–87 and asked the farmers, they would say they could grow only one crop in the entire year. But now, the farmer of Banaskantha grows three crops in a year — groundnut, potato, pearl millet (bajra) in summer, and also takes the kharif crop. Just twenty-five years ago, cultivating three crops in Banaskantha was nothing more than a dream.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ensured the availability of water in the regions of Gujarat where it was scarce by diverting surplus water from areas where it was abundant. He said that under the Sujalam-Sufalam Scheme, excess water from the Narmada and Mahi rivers was brought to Banaskantha. Earlier, farmers here had to work as labourers on others’ fields. Today, the same farmer has turned his land into paradise and made the entire Banaskantha prosperous.

Shri Amit Shah said that it has never been our tradition or habit to fully document or write the history of any great achievement we accomplish. Shri Shah said that he has assigned two universities the responsibility of preparing a detailed, well-documented research of the water conservation efforts in Banaskantha and Mehsana, the prosperity brought by water, and the transformation that has come into people’s lives as a result. He said that the hard work of Banaskantha will be written in golden letters and will emerge as a source of inspiration in the entire history of rural development across the country.

Union Home Minister said that the most heartening aspect is the immense contribution of women in this achievement. Shri Shah said that in this massive ₹24,000-crore business, the entire hard work of collecting milk collection has been done by the hands of the sisters, daughters and mothers of Banaskantha. He added that these women have presented the most vibrant and the greatest living example before all the NGOs of the world that keep talking about women’s empowerment. Such a transparent system has been established that, without any movement or slogan, the full payment for their milk reaches directly into the bank accounts of these mothers and sisters every week.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that Banas Dairy has now become Asia’s largest milk-producing dairy, and Galba Kaka (Galbabhai Nanjibhai Patel) has an immense contribution in this achievement. Galba Kaka was a personality whose heart was filled only with the welfare of farmers. The journey that began in 1960 with milk societies from just eight villages of only two talukas — Vadgam and Palanpur — has today reached a turnover of ₹24,000 crore. He said that the core mantra of the tradition started by Galbabhai Patel was very simple: “We may have little money, but we have a huge number of people.” Shri Shah added that Galbabhai’s idea of many people contributing small amounts to accomplish big things has grown into a gigantic banyan tree, which is today inspiring not only India’s cooperative movements but cooperative movements across the entire world.

Shri Amit Shah said that today is the death anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. He said that the Constitution given to this country by Baba Saheb has created such a strong system that Dalits, the poor, tribals and backward classes can also live a life of dignity and respect. He offered his heartfelt tribute to Baba Saheb.  Shri Shah further said that today also marks the concluding ceremony of the grand padyatra being organised across Gujarat as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He said that the very concept of farmers and cooperation was Sardar Saheb’s own idea. Gujarat embraced it, and today that idea has grown into a gigantic banyan tree.

Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that today several new initiatives have been launched here, including the inauguration of the Bio-CNG plant and milk powder plant, as well as the dedication of a state-of-the-art protein plant and a high-tech automated paneer plant. He said, the tradition of establishing a Bio-CNG plant started by Banas Dairy will become a model for cooperative societies across the country. He said that the innovative experiments Banas Dairy has conducted in the circular economy will be showcased to the Members of Parliament who are part of the consultative committee. He added that until now, under Amul’s leadership, Gujarat’s dairies have been collecting milk, processing it into products, selling them, and directly transferring the profits into the bank accounts of sisters and farmers — in this, we have been ahead of the entire world. But now the time has come to transform the dairy sector completely into a circular economy.

Shri Shah emphasized that not even a single gram of cow or buffalo dung should go to waste — it should be converted into organic manure, bio-gas, and electricity, and the income generated from it should also go back to the farmer. He said that there are many high-value dairy products in the world that are not yet being manufactured in India. He announced that he is handing over a complete list of such products to the Chairman of Amul today itself so that their production can begin immediately. These products command very high prices and have huge demand in the global market. If, instead of only producing curd, ghee and paneer, we focus on these high-value products, our farmer brothers and sisters will earn many times more profit.

Shri Amit Shah said that now, along with dairy, we must start producing biogas and bio-CNG. He further said that from now on, cooperative dairies across India will no longer purchase animal feed from the open market; it will also be produced at the cooperative level, and the profit earned from manufacturing animal feed will go directly into the bank accounts of our sisters. He assured that the entire ecosystem required for this, including technology and financing, has already been put in place by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that for the benefit of farmers, the Government of India has formed three new national-level cooperatives: one for seed production and distribution, one for marketing of organic products, and one for agricultural exports. At the same time, three national-level multi-state cooperatives have been created specifically for the dairy sector. He said that these six cooperative institutions together will now cover every aspect of agriculture and animal husbandry — whether it is making cheese, protein, dairy whitener, khoya, ice-cream, baby food; packaging edible oil, producing flour, honey, running cold storages, potato chips, seed production, or manufacturing animal feed — all these activities will come under the dairy economy, and the entire profit will reach directly into the accounts of the livestock farmers. This is the clear and firm plan of the Government of India.

Shri Shah said that he assures the brothers and sisters of Banaskantha that within five years, the benefits from increased milk production alone will be significant, but even with the current volume of milk production, their income will be increased by at least 20 per cent through the circular economy model. A detailed plan for this has been prepared, and it is very fortunate that the headquarters of Banas Dairy will be the center of this entire detailed planning. He expressed confidence that this model for increasing the income of livestock farmers and farmers, like those in Banaskantha, will be successful throughout the country.

Shri Amit Shah said that every village milk cooperative has been provided with a micro-ATM, which has made the process of handling frozen semen much easier. In the coming days, financial services will also be launched through these micro-ATMs. He said that Prime Minister Modi has set several ambitious targets for White Revolution 2.0, and he is confident that with the support of the four pillars – the National Gokul Mission, the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, the restructured National Dairy Plan, and the National Animal Disease Control Programme – White Revolution 2.0 will definitely be successful. He added that the tradition established by Banas Dairy will not be limited to Banaskantha alone; it will become a source of prosperity for millions of livestock farmers across the entire country.