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.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Gujarat’ program via video conferencing today. During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated and performed Bhoomi Poojan of more than 1.3 lakh houses across Gujarat built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and other housing schemes. He also interacted with the beneficiaries of Awas Yojna.

Addressing the gathering, The Prime Minister expressed happiness that people from every part of Gujarat are connected with the development journey of Gujarat. He recalled his recent participation in Vibrant Gujarat which has completed 20 years. He praised Gujarat for organizing a grand investment event i.e. Vibrant Gujarat.

The Prime Minister underlined that a home owned by the poor is the guarantee of their bright future. But as time passesd by and families began to grow, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s efforts to build new homes for every poor and mentioned about 1.25 lakh whose Bhoomi Pujan was carried out today. He congratulated all the families who received their new home today and wished them a bright future. Shri Modi stated, “When work of such scale comes to completion, the nation calls it ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ which means guarantee of fulfillment of the guarantee”.

The Prime Minister praised the organization of today’s programme where so many people assembled at more than 180 places in the state. “Your blessings in such large numbers further strengthen our resolve. Recalling the water scarcity of the region, the Prime Minister mentioned initiatives like Per Drop More Crop and drip irrigation which have helped agriculture in Banaskantha, Mehsana, Ambaji, and Patan. He said development efforts in Ambaji will give a huge boost to the number of pilgrims. He said that the broad Gauge line from Ahmedabad to Abu Road which had been pending since the British period will create a large number of jobs.

Speaking about his village Vadnagar, the Prime Minister touched upon the recently recovered ancient artifacts dated to 3,000 years old that have been drawing tourists in large numbers. He mentioned places like Hatkeshwar, Ambaji, Patan and Tarangaji and said that North Gujarat is gradually becoming a tourist center similar to the Statue of Unity.

Touching upon the successful organization of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in the months of November, December and January where Modi’s guarantee vehicle reached lakhs of villages in the country, the Prime Minister said that crores of people from Gujarat became associated with the Yatra. He lauded the government’s efforts in helping 25 crore people rise out of poverty in the country and also praised them for benefitting from schemes, managing the fund wisely and crafting their lives as per the schemes to beat poverty. The Prime Minister expressed confidence and urged the beneficiaries to come forward and support this initiative and contribute to uprooting poverty. Touching upon his interaction with the beneficiaries earlier today, the Prime Minister hailed their self-confidence which got a boost with their new homes.

The Prime Minister said, “Today’s time is the time of creating history.” He compared this time period with the time period of Swadeshi movement, Quit India Movement and Dandi March when freedom became the goal of every citizen. Creation of Viksit Bharat has become a similar resolution for the nation, he said. He highlighted Gujarat’s thinking of ‘National development through the progress of the State’. Today’s programme is part of Viksit Gujarat for Viksit Bharat, he added.

The Prime Minister noted the strides made by Gujarat in PM Awas Yojana and informed that more than 9 lakh houses have been constructed in the urban areas of the state. Under PM Awas – Gramin more than 5 lakh houses have been constructed in the rural areas. He said new technology is being deployed to ensure quality and rapid construction. He mentioned 1100 houses constructed under the Lighthouse project.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated that the construction of homes for the poor is taking place at a rapid pace when compared to the pre 2014 era. Pointing out the meager funding for the construction of houses of the poor and the leakages in the form of commissions etc. during earlier times, the Prime Minister said that the money transferred for homes of the poor is now more than 2.25 lakhs and is being transferred directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the middlemen. He also touched upon the freedom of building homes according to the needs of the families while also building toilets, tap water connections, supplying electricity and gas connections. “These facilities have helped the poor in saving money”, he said. PM Modi also emphasized that the homes are now registered in the name of women making them homeowners.

Reiterating that Yuva, Kisan, Mahila and the poor are the four pillars of Viksit Bharat, PM said that their empowerment is a top commitment of the government. He emphasized that ‘poor’ include every community. Benefit of the schemes is reaching everyone without any discrimination. “Modi has stood guarantee for those who had no guarantee”, he said. He also mentioned Mudra Yojna where entrepreneurs of every community can get collateral-free loans. Similarly, Viswakarmas and street vendors were provided with financial means and skills. “The biggest beneficiaries of every poor welfare scheme are Dalit, OBC and tribal families. If anyone has benefited the most from Modi’s guarantee, it is these families”, he said.

“Modi has given the guarantee of creating Lakhpati Didis”, the Prime Minister remarked, informing that the nation is already home to 1 crore Lakhpati Didis including a large number of women from Gujarat. He reiterated the government’s effort to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis in the next few years and said that it will hugely empower poor families. He also mentioned ASHA and Aanganwadi workers who are now included under Ayushman Yojna in this year’s budget.

The Prime Minister underlined the government’s emphasis on reducing the expenses of the poor and middle-class. He mentioned free ration, inexpensive treatment facilities in hospitals, low-priced medicines, cheaper mobile phone bills, gas cylinders under Ujjwala Yojna and LED bulbs reducing electricity bills. PM Modi also touched upon the Rooftop solar scheme for 1 crore houses to reduce electricity bills and create earnings from the extra electricity generated. He informed that under the scheme, about 300 units of electricity will become free and the government will purchase electricity worth thousands of rupees every year. Speaking about the solar village built in Modhera, PM Modi said that such a revolution will now be witnessed in the entire nation. He also mentioned the government assisting farmers in setting up solar pumps and small solar plants on barren lands. He mentioned that work is also underway to provide a separate feeder to the farmers through solar energy in Gujarat allowing farmers to get electricity for irrigation even during the day.

Underlining that Gujarat has been identified as a trading state and its development journey getting a new impetus for industrial development, the Prime Minister said that the youth of Gujarat have unprecedented opportunities being an industrial powerhouse. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that the youth of Gujarat is taking the state to new heights in every sector today and assured everyone of the support of the double-engine government at every step.

Background

The program is being organized at more than 180 places across all districts of Gujarat, with the main programme held at district Banaskantha. The state-wide program witnessed the participation of thousands of beneficiaries of various government schemes including housing schemes. Chief Minister Gujarat, other Ministers of the Gujarat Government, MPs, MLAs and local-level representatives joined the program.

Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today. Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to India, Mr. Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini; Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi; Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay K. Murthy; Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Chairman, National Book Trust, Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe; Director, National Book Trust, Shri Yuvraj Malik, and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

Inaugurating the 52nd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair Shri Pradhan highlighted that this year’s theme of the fair ‘Multilingual India: A Living Tradition’ is celebrating India’s linguistic diversity and global literary traditions. He also said that the fair is a harmonious amalgamation of literature, diverse cultures artistic expressions and knowledge. Multilingualism is the core of our diversity and therefore, language and books are assets to realise the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Pradhan added.

He also emphasized the need to nurture a book-loving and book-reading society that fosters forward-looking ideas for building a progressive social order as the country marches to realise the goal of Viksit Bharat.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Mr. Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini stressed the mutual commitment to deepen ties between the countries. He drew similarities between India’s Amrit Kaal and the 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia as there is a shared commitment to a better future.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the app of the National Digital Libraries for All, announced in the Budget 2023-34. National e-library ( राष्ट्रीय e-पुस्तकालय) is a first-of-its-kind digital library for accessing a variety of non-academic books for Children and Adolescents based on the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision statement, “When citizens read, the country leads.”

The राष्ट्रीय e-पुस्तकालय shall promote and foster a love for life-long reading habit among students and provide diverse literature options including various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies etc., which will cater to different reading preferences and help students explore diverse types of literature in the language of their own choice. It will also, encourage critical thinking and imagination, which can help students develop & enhance their creativity and analytical skills and support literacy and language development among children and adolescents by engaging with books beyond their academic curricula. It will provide exposure to literature of Indian languages and foreign languages and create and foster cultural awareness, patriotism and empathy with an intent to realise Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

The राष्ट्रीय e-पुस्तकालय for Children and Adolescents shall provide accessibility in a device agnostic manner to age appropriate reading material for 4 different age groups – 3-8 years, 8-11 years, 11-14 years, and 14-18 years. Books in the राष्ट्रीय e-पुस्तकालय will focus on the history, culture, scientific and other achievements of India to develop a sense of pride amongst young Indiansand shall contain books from all the 23 (twenty-three) languages under the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India, apart from English. As of now, more than 30 reputed publishers have been onboarded and more than 1000 books have been uploaded on the platform.

Shri Pradhan also unveiled the innovative learning E-learning platform, ‘E-Jaadui Pitara’, which is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, comprising puzzles, riddles, and stories. The inclusive and informative content, translated into 22 languages using Artificial Intelligence (AI) aims to transform early childhood education.

The Minister also released Special Modules aligned with NEP 2020, teaching-learning resources and subject-specific modules. Resources promoting G20 initiatives, Viksit Bharat and Nari Shakti Vandan were also released by the Minister, which highlight India’s commitment to social development and empowerment.

Shri Pradhan also released the “Igniting Collective Goodness Mann ki Baat @100” anthology, comprising 100 episodes of the radio show, and published by NBT-India in 12 languages. He also released four new titles under the “Creating Intellectual Heritage” project, published by NBT-India.

Shri Pradhan also released the Hindi and English Braille editions of the book Exam Warriors penned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and published by NBT-India.

The inaugural session was followed by a tour of the book fair, with the inauguration of the Theme Pavilion, a Photo Exhibition on the Journey of the History of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh, and the Guest Country Pavilion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Themed around ‘Multilingual India: A Living Tradition (Bahubhashi Bharat: Ek Jeevant Parampara)’, the New Delhi World Book Fair 2024 celebrates the mosaic of languages weaved into the cultural fabric of the nation. As per tradition, with a country as the Guest of Honour at NDWBF – this year the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the esteemed Guest Country, fostering cultural exchange, literary discourses, and dialogues between the two nations. NDWBF 2024 will be open from 10-18 February 2024 at Halls 1 to 5, Pragati Maidan from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm. Entry is FREE for children in school uniform, for senior citizens, and for differently-abled. Tickets are available online at ITPO’s website and at select Metro Stations.

“Fragile 5” to  “Top 5”, India’s journey of the last ten years is a case study in itself, which would amuse and enthuse any student of Economics, said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

From cynicism and scams of the past, the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been an opportunity to get over that dubious distinction, he said, adding, this marked the beginning of the journey from pessimism to optimism.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, was addressing the Global Business Summit ‘The Big Shift – Measuring the Forces of Change’  organised by the Times Group in New Delhi.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the last ten years under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, India recorded a rapid rise across various global parameters and universal benchmarks.

Today India has emerged as the fifth largest economy in the world and in the Global Innovation Index we ranked 81 in 2014, we have jumped 41 places, today we are No. 40 in the world, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, India has the 3rd largest Startup Ecosystem globally and is home to the fastest-growing unicorns.

“From just over 350 StartUps in the year 2014,India grew over 300 times. After PM Modi gave the clarion call ‘StartUp India, Stand Up India’ from the ramparts of the Red Fort in his Independence Day address and rolled out the special StartUp scheme in 2016, today we have over 1,30,000 StartUps, besides more than 110 Unicorns,” he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, even though talent was never lacking in the country, the missing link of enabling milieu was created under the leadership of PM Modi.

“Space reforms undertaken by PM Modi lifted the veil of secrecy that shrouded India’s Space programmes. With the opening up of the Space sector, the common masses have been able to witness the launch of the mega Space events like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya,” he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, four-five years back, we had just one StartUp in the Space sector, today we have around 190 private Space Startups after opening up of the sector, while the earlier ones of them have even turned entrepreneurs. There has been an investment of over Rs.1,000 crore by private Space Startups in the current financial year from April to December 2023, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, even though our Space Research programme started in the year 1969, the year when the US landed first man on the moon, we caught up fast with the Space faring nations and last year Chandrayaan-3 made a historic touchdown on the virgin lunar south polar region where nobody has landed before.

Identifying Biotechnology as the driver of India’s future economic growth, the S&T Minister said our bioeconomy is currently valued at nearly $140 billion from $10 billion a decade ago.Today there are more than 6,300 BioTech Startups and over 3,000 Agritech Startups, he said.

“We have huge bioresources in India, – In the Himalayas, herbs, Aroma Mission is creating new opportunities while the Deep Ocean Mission has been launched to tap India’s huge sea bed wealth along the more than 7,500 kms coastline,” said Dr Jitendra Singh.

Stating that the “Anusandhan National Research Foundation” will pave the way for a greater Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in scientific research, Dr Jitendra Singh said the NRF will be a better model than the United States’ NRF.

“NRF budget envisions a funding of Rs. 50,000 crore over five years, out of which about 60%-70%, is estimated to come from non-government sources,” he said.

Reiterating that the age of silos is over, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the NRF envisions integration between Public and Private sector and will provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) – 2020.

Dr Jitendra Singh said this is possibly the best time for Innovators, R&D and Startups. PM Modi has delivered the right ecosystem that supports and augments Innovation, promotes entrepreneurship and fosters a thriving industry.

Mentioning that PM Modi liberated us from the self-imposed shackles of the past, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Government scrapped about 2,000 obsolete rules and deregulated the economy that earlier proved to be detrimental to attract FDI and spur growth.

Today the world is hailing India’s leadership, said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding that we are excelling the world in tackling Climate Change, in our efforts towards Green Energy and Zero Emission and PM Modi’s initiative of launching the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) during the historic G20 Summit last year.

Stating that the world today awaits India to lead the way, Dr Jitendra Singh said the youth of today will be the architects of PM Modi’s “Viksit Bharat” @2047.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address to Parliament in Rajya Sabha today.

Addressing the House, the Prime Minister said that the 75th Republic Day is a significant milestone in the nation’s journey and the President during her address spoke about India’s self-confidence. Prime Minister Modi underlined that in her address, the President expressed confidence about India’s bright future and acknowledged the capability of the citizens of India. He thanked the President for her inspirational address that provided guidance for the nation to accomplish the resolve of Viksit Bharat. PM Modi also thanked the Members of the House for a fruitful discussion on the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s address. “Rashtrapati Ji’s address emphasized India’s burgeoning confidence, promising future and immense potential of its people”, the Prime Minister said.

Speaking regarding the atmosphere of the House, the Prime Minister remarked, “The opposition cannot suppress my voice, because the people of the country have given strength to this voice”. The Prime Minister recalled the time of leakages of public finance, ‘fragile five’ and ‘policy paralysis’, and said that the current government worked with great consideration to bring the country out of the earlier mess. “During the Congress government’s 10 years of rule, the entire world used words like ‘fragile five’ and policy paralysis for India. And in our 10 years – among the Top 5 economies. That is how the world talks about us today”, said

The Prime Minister also emphasized the government’s effort to remove the signs of colonial mentality which were ignored by the earlier governments. He listed new ensign for the defence forces, Kartavya path, renaming the Andaman Islands, abolition of colonial laws and promotion of the Indian language and many other such steps. The Prime Minister also mentioned the past inferiority complex about indigenous products, traditions and local values. He said all this is being addressed earnestly now.

Giving insights about the President’s address regarding the four most important castes namely Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti, the poor and Anna Data, the Prime Minister reiterated that the development and progress of these four main pillars of India will lead to the nation becoming developed. The Prime Minister said that the 20th-century approach will not work if we want to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the rights and development of SC, ST and OBC communities and said that abrogation of Article 370 ensured that these communities get the same rights as the rest of the country in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, Forest Rights Act, Prevention of Atrocities Act, and domicile rights for Balmiki community in the state were also implemented only after the abrogation. He also mentioned the passing of the bill for OBC reservation in the local bodies of the state.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the steps to honour Baba Saheb and also pointed out the event of tribal women becoming the President of the nation. Speaking about the government policies for the welfare of the poor, Prime Minister Modi underlined prioritizing the development of the SC, ST, OBC and Tribal communities. He mentioned pucca houses, cleanliness campaigns to improve health, Ujjwala gas scheme,  free ration and Ayushman Yojna to empower these communities. He also mentioned that in the last 10 years, scholarships for SC and ST students were increased, enrollment numbers in school rose, dropout rates were reduced significantly, a new Central Tribal University was established taking the number from 1 to 2 and the number of Eklavya Model Schools increased from 120 to 400. He informed that enrolment of SC students in higher education  has increased by 44 percent, ST students’ enrolment by 65 percent and OBC enrollment went up by 45 percent.

“Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is not just a slogan, it is Modi’s guarantee”, Shri Modi exclaimed. The Prime Minister cautioned against spreading a mood of despair based on a false narrative. The Prime Minister further added that he was born in an independent India and his thoughts and dreams are independent leaving no room for a colonial mindset in the nation.

The Prime Minister said as opposed to the earlier mess of the public sector enterprises, now enterprises like BSNL are leading roll out of 4G and 5G, HAL is doing record manufacturing and Asia’s largest Helicopter Factory is HAL in Karnataka. LIC too is thriving with record share prices.  PM Modi informed the House that the number of PSUs in the country increased from 234 in 2014 to 254 today, and most of them are giving record returns drawing the attention of investors. He further added that the PSU Index in the country has witnessed a two-fold rise within the last year. In the last 10 years, PSU’s net profit saw an increase from Rs 1.25 lakh crore between 2004 and 2014 to Rs 2.50 lakh crore, and the net value of PSUs increased from Rs 9.5 lakh crore to Rs 17 lakh crore.

The Prime Minister said that he understands regional aspirations well as he has passed through the process as a Chief Minister of a state. PM Modi reiterated the mantra of ‘States development for Country’s development’. He gave assurance that full support will be provided by the center for the development of the states. Emphasizing the importance of healthy competition for development among the states, the Prime Minister called for competitive cooperative federalism.

Throwing light on the challenges of the once-in-a-lifetime Covid Pandemic, PM Modi recalled chairing 20 meetings with Chief  Ministers of all states and credited the entire machinery for tackling the challenge head-on.

He also mentioned spreading the exposure and glory of G20 to all the states as events were organized all over the country. He also pointed out his practice of taking foreign dignitaries to different states.

Continuing with the role of the states, the Prime Minister gave credit to the states for the success of the Aspirational District Programme. “The design of our programme takes the states along and is for taking the nations forward collectively”, he said.

Drawing an analogy to the functioning of the nation with that of the human body, the Prime Minister reiterated that even if one State remains deprived and underdeveloped, the nation cannot be considered developed similar to how a non-functioning body part affects the entire body.

The Prime Minister said that the direction of the nation’s policies is towards ensuring basic facilities for all and raising the standards of living. In the coming days, our focus will be going beyond ease of living to improving quality of life, he said. He stressed his resolve to provide new opportunities to the neo-middle class that has just come out of poverty. “We will provide more strength to the ‘Modi Kavach’ of Social Justice”, he added.

Highlighting the government’s support for those who have arisen out of poverty, Shri Modi declared that the free ration scheme, Ayushman scheme, 80 percent discounts on medicines, PM Samman Nidhi for farmers, pucca houses for the poor, tapped water connections and construction of new toilets will continue at a fast pace. “Modi 3.0 will leave no stone unturned to strengthen the foundations of Viksit Bharat”, he said.

The Prime Minister said that strides in the medical infrastructure will continue in the next 5 years and medical treatment will be more affordable, every house will have piped water, saturation of PM Awas will be achieved, electricity bills will become zero for crores of houses due to solar power, piped cooking gas in the entire country, startups will increase, patent filing will break new records. PM Modi assured the House that in the next 5 years, the world will witness the capabilities of Indian youth in every international sporting competition, public transport system will be transformed, Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign will attain new heights, Made In India semiconductors and electronics will dominate the world, and the country will work towards reducing energy dependence on other countries. He also mentioned the push towards green hydrogen and ethanol blending. PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s belief in becoming Atmanirbhar in edible oil production.

Continuing with the vision of the next 5 years, the Prime Minister talked of the promotion of natural farming and millet as superfood. Drone use in agriculture will see a new increase.  Similarly, the use of nano urea cooperative is being promoted as a people’s movement. He also talked of new records in fisheries and animal husbandry.

Prime Minister Modi also drew attention to the tourism sector becoming a huge source of employment in the next 5 years. He underlined the capability of many states in the country to drive their economy solely by tourism. “India is going to become a massive tourist destination for the world”, he added

The Prime Minister also highlighted the strides in the field of Digital India and Fintech and said that the next 5 years present a positive future for India’s digital economy. “Digital services will further India’s progress”, he added. “I have full faith that our scientists will take us to new heights in the field of space technology”, the Prime Minister said.

Talking about the transformation of the grassroots economy, the Prime Minister mentioned Self Help Groups. He said, “3 crore lakhpati didis will write a new script of women empowerment.” “By 2047, India will re-live its golden period”, the Prime Minister said underlining the government’s commitment to Viksit Bharat.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister thanked the Rajya Sabha Chairman for the opportunity to present the facts before the House and the nation and also thanked the President of India for her inspirational address.