The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the 5th International and 44th All India Criminology Conference of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that this conference is being inaugurated at a time when India’s criminal justice system is entering into a new era. He said that India has abolished the 150-year-old original laws of criminal justice and introduced new laws. He said that two of the major issues in these three laws are related to this conference. First, to deliver timely justice and second, to curb crimes by increasing conviction rate. He said that in all three laws, efforts are being made to take both these issues forward with the help of technology. Home Minister added that we have taken a bold decision and it has been made mandatory for a Forensic Science Officer to visit the crime scene of offences which have punishment of 7 years or more. He said that this will simplify the investigation, it will be easier for the judges and it will also make the prosecution simple. This will also help us in increasing the conviction rate. Along with this, efforts are also being made to modernize the entire process. Shri Shah said that after 5 years, India’s criminal justice system will be the most modern system in the world.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has done more than 50 path breaking works in every field in the last 10 years. He said that the Modi government has done 3 significant works in this field in the last 5 years only. First, after 40 years, the Modi government came up with a new National Education Policy which is completely based on Indian education, open to the whole world and will also provide a global platform to our children. Second, the foundation of NFSU which was laid down in Gujarat in 2003 expanded to establish the National Forensic Science University. Third, by making changes in the criminal justice system after 150 years, we have made three laws new. Shri Shah added that if these three changes are seen together, there can be a comprehensive change in education, forensic science and the criminal justice system. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, such arrangements have been made that after 5 years the country will get more than 9 thousand scientific officers and forensic science experts every year.

Shri Amit Shah said that today’s conference is being held on the topic of Forensic Behavioural Science and this is an emerging field. He said that Behavioural Science can play an equal role in preventing crimes as does a strict administration and a good judiciary. He said that this idea is one step ahead of the Modus Operandi Bureau that we have created. Home Minister said that if we study behaviour well and coordinate it by giving it a place in primary education, then we can stop the making of a criminal. He said that forensic science cannot serve the society in isolation, unless we integrate forensic science with all the stakeholders in the judicial process, we cannot get its benefits. Shri Shah said that forensic science should be used in investigation, prosecution, justice system and now the time has come to go one step further by adopting it in education. He said this is an important event in the direction of preventive, predictive and protective policing. An in-depth study of the criminal mind and behaviour and its strategic use in preventing crimes from happening in the coming days and preventing criminals from rising up will be a great service to the entire world. He said that a Digital Forensic Excellence Centre has also been inaugurated today to help in capacity building and investigation.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the last 75 years after independence, India has become the world’s largest democracy and no one in the world can question the faith of the Indian people towards democracy. He said that when India completes 100 years of independence in 2047, we will have to move forward on the basis of the reforms done by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in every field to fulfil the resolve of leading India in every field. He said that in such a time, there are 4 challenges before our criminal justice system – to become the most modern police system by boldly accepting technology in the entire system without compromising on the principle of basic policing, to not allow the use of technology to diminish the importance of human presence, to identify hybrid and multi-dimensional threats and prepare the entire network to protect our systems from them, and, to make our criminal justice system the most modern criminal justice system in the world and to adopt forensics in it as a bold feature. Home Minister added that we are moving forward with these 4 challenges. He said that in the process of getting justice, there are problems of its being available, accessible and affordable and the solution to these three lies in technology. Shri Shah said that today the form, mode and method of crime is changing every day and in such a situation the police need to be two generations ahead of crime and criminals. He said that to prevent crimes, we should also try to bring global uniformity in the policies and rules of technology.

Shri Amit Shah said that integrating the criminal justice system, technology and forensic investigation was a big challenge before us, Modi government has given a big place to forensic science in the investigation, prosecution and judicial process on the basis of law in three new laws. This is going to open up a huge field for the youth. Home Minister said that with the help of forensic technology, we have been able to protect the independence, autonomy and fairness of investigation in a good way by giving it legal cover. Shri Shah said that with these three laws Ease of Justice and Ease of Policing words will come into use and the public will also get benefit from them. He said that after intensive hard work the Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared many databases in the last 5 years and a lot of work is also being done on data integration.

The Union Home Minister said that these three new laws have not been brought in isolation and before bringing them, whatever needs to be done in the next 5 years has been visualized. He said that all three new criminal laws will be implemented within 5 years. Shri Shah said that till now the education system of our country was based on one size fits all, but through the new education policy, Modi ji has made it dynamic and timely. He said that using this we have established a Forensic Science University to prepare experts in forensic science. Shri Shah said that soon nine more campuses of this university will start in one year and thus one campus will be available in every other state of the country. He said that young students should work on the principle of One Data One Entry.

Shri Amit Shah said that for the first time, the basic Indian concept of justice has been given place in the three new laws brought by Modi ji- Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. He said that the purpose of the old laws was to protect British rule, but these three laws of Modi ji have been made with a pan-Indian vision. Shri Shah said that now after the introduction of these new laws decision on FIRs will be ensured in 3 years. In these laws, we have adopted dimensions ranging from ease of justice to simple, consistent, transparent and timely.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation told the youth present in the program that Prime Minister Modi has envisioned taking India to the first place in the world in every field, this also includes forensic science and this work has to be done by the youth. He said that after making new arrangements, India will definitely be at first place in the world in the field of forensic science.

Today, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti, inaugurated Synopsys’ Chip Design Centre at DLF Tech Park in Noida. The event drew a distinguished audience, including senior leadership, employees, partners, and delegates from Synopsys.

During his address the Minister said, “We are certainly living in the most exciting times today. For somebody like me who has spent over 30-35 years in tech I can say that it is absolutely thrilling to witness where India is heading in terms of the semiconductor space. The coming decade will see innovation-driven performances in our devices, products, and systems. There is significant headroom for innovation and growth today, under the leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. There is a lot of conventional wisdom about tech, its pace, and its dependence on more raw manufacturing processes. Both performance and manufacturing processes are being rewritten. It is as much about what the semiconductor ecosystem is going to be as it is about the innovation packaging, design, and the software that drives the innovation.”

The Minister further articulated that forging partnerships with global leaders such as Synopsys aligns seamlessly with India’s aspirations and future trajectory.

“The coming techade is going to be driven more by innovation in performance, systems, devices, and products. I come from an era where we used to perform logic synthesis manually. The rapid pace and velocity of innovation facilitated by companies like Synopsys are, in many ways, propelling the overall innovation of our tech and digital ecosystem. Therefore, I firmly believe that companies like Synopsys will become a significant player in shaping the future of technology,” the Minister added.

During his interaction with Dr Aart de Geus, founder of Synopsys, the Minister shared the Government of India’s approach to the semiconductor industry, emphasizing a dual focus on manufacturing and innovation. Expressing confidence in India’s natural aptitude for electronics and semiconductors, he affirmed the Govt’s commitment to building capabilities, aiming to lead in chips, devices, and product architecture.

He said, “We are looking at both the manufacturing and innovation sides of the industry. As we are moving into the future, I believe electronics and semiconductors come naturally to us, and that should be our focus.   That are architectured and designed. This is our ambition, similar to many endeavors post-2014, we are indeed catching up on lost time. In semiconductor manufacturing, we are making significant progress. On the design and startup ecosystem fronts, we have made a lot of progress. Having spent some time in the semiconductor ecosystem myself, what I have witnessed in the last 10 years is very different from before, and it is truly inspiring. From a government perspective, we believe we have a promising runway for growth in terms of talent, investment, and capabilities. Therefore, we view such partnerships as the glue and building blocks of our ambitions.”

Dr Aart de Geus acknowledged the parallel growth of Synopsys and India, expressing excitement about the future of the partnership. He highlighted the substantial investment and acquisition of startups that culminated in the establishment of the Noida center which will act as a hub for innovation.

“In the remarkable journey of India’s technological advancement, Synopsys has played a significant role, aligning seamlessly with the nation’s ambitions. In many ways, our growth has run parallel with India’s progress. With a third of our workforce based in India, we have invested significantly, exemplified by the Noida center—a beacon of excellence that required substantial investments and the acquisition of eight startups. This facility, a true Center of Excellence, serves as a cohesive hub. As we reflect on this partnership, it’s not merely a collaboration; it’s a shared home where ambitions and innovations thrive. India, now in its exciting phase of semiconductors and electronics, finds a perfect ally in Synopsys, marking the beginning of an even more promising chapter in technology and growth,” Dr Aart de Geus added.

Synopsys offers a diverse design portfolio, including silicon to software, which has played a pivotal role in generating $5.9 billion in revenue. As a dominant force in EDA tools and Interface, Foundation, & Physical IPs, Synopsys has secured a prominent position within the industry. Demonstrating confidence in Indian design talent, Synopsys has established the second-largest design center in India, extending beyond its headquarters. This center is now the workplace for around 6,000 engineers from India, constituting 27% of their global design workforce.

While it’s a well-established fact that 20% of global VLSI/Chip designers originate from India, the expanding presence of Synopsys in Noida, initially hosting 1650 engineers, underscores the growing ecosystem of fabless chip design and innovation in India. Synopsys’ Indian engineers play a pivotal role not only in every aspect of the semiconductor chip/IP Cores design cycle but also contribute significantly to the success stories of leading semiconductor companies. Virtually all chips designed by any company incorporate EDA/IP solutions in some capacity.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi who performed the consecration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024 (Monday) said that “What we saw in Ayodhya yesterday, 22nd January, will be etched in our memories for years to come.”

Shri Modi also shared a video showcasing grand ceremony of Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.

The Prime Minister posted on X;

“What we saw in Ayodhya yesterday, 22nd January, will be etched in our memories for years to come.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today participated in the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Shri Ramlalla in the newly built Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Shri Modi interacted with the shramjeevi who contributed to the construction of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister exclaimed that our Ram has finally arrived after centuries. “After centuries of patience, uncountable sacrifices, renunciation and penance, our Lord Ram is here”, PM Modi remarked and congratulated the citizens on the occasion. The Prime Minister said that experiencing the divine consciousness inside the ‘Garbh Grih’ (inner sanctum) cannot be put into words and his body is pulsating with energy and the mind is devoted to the moment of Pran Pratishtha. “Our Ram Lalla will not reside in the tent anymore. This divine temple will be his home now”, the Prime Minister said expressing confidence and reverence that the events of today can be experienced by Ram Bhakts all around the country and the world. “This moment is supernatural and sacred, the atmosphere, environment and energy signify the blessings of Lord Ram upon us”, Shri Modi said. He underlined that the morning Sun of 22nd January has brought a new aura along with it. “22nd January 2024 is not a mere date on the calendar, it is the origin of a new ‘kaal chakra’”, the Prime Minister said emphasizing that the joyous and festive mood of the entire nation was on a constant rise since the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and the progress of the developmental works enthused new energy into the citizens. “Today, we have received the heritage of centuries of patience, today we have got Shri Ram’s temple”, the Prime Minister said. He underlined that the nation that breaks the shackles of the mindset of slavery and derives inspiration from the experiences of the past is the one which writes history. PM Modi said that today’s date will be discussed in a thousand years from now and it is by the blessings of Lord Ram that we are a witness to this momentous occasion unfolding itself. “Days, directions, skies and everything are brimming with divinity today”, the Prime Minister said, stating that this is not an ordinary time period but an indelible memory path being imprinted on time.

Speaking about the presence of Shri Hanuman in every work of Shri Ram, the Prime Minister bowed to Shri Hanuman and Hanuman Garhi. He also bowed to Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan and Mata Janki. He acknowledged the presence of divine entities over the event. The Prime Minister apologized to Prabhu Shri Ram for the delay in seeing today’s day and said that as today that vacuum has been filled, surely, Shri Ram will forgive us.

Recalling, Sant Tulsidas’s return of Shri Ram in ‘Treta Yug’, The Prime Minister recalled the happiness that Ayodhya of the time must have felt. “Then the separation with Shri Ram lasted for 14 years and was still so unbearable. In this age Ayodhya and the countrymen suffered the separation of hundreds of years”, he said. Shri Modi continued, despite Shri Ram being present in the original copy of the Constitution, a prolonged legal battle was fought after the independence. The Prime Minister thanked the Judiciary of India for “keeping the dignity of justice intact. Embodiment of justice, Shri Ram’s temple was constructed through just means”, he emphasized.

The Prime Minister informed that the entire nation including small villages is witnessing processions and cleanliness campaigns are being carried out in temples. “The entire nation is celebrating Diwali today. Every household is prepared to light up the ‘Ram Jyoti’ in the evening”, Shri Modi said. Recalling his visit to Arichal Munai, the starting point of Ram Setu, yesterday, the Prime Minister said that it was the moment which altered the Kaal Chakra. Drawing an analogy to that moment, the Prime Minister said that he got the belief that today’s moment will also be the one to alter the circle of time and move forward. Shri Modi informed that during his 11-day anushthan, he attempted to bow before all the places where Lord Ram had set foot. Mentioning Pancwati Dham in Nashik, Thriprayar Temple in Kerala, Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ranganathswamy Temple in Srirangam, Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the journey from the sea to river Sarayu. “From the sea to the Saryu river, the same festive spirit of Ram’s name is prevalent everywhere”, he continued, “Lord Ram is connected to every particle of the soul of India. Ram resides in the hearts of Indians”. He further added that the feeling of oneness can be found within everyone’s conscience anywhere in India and there could not be a more perfect formula for collectiveness.

Recalling his experience of listening to Shri Ram Katha in many languages, the Prime Minister said that Ram is there in the memories, festivals of traditions. “In every age, people have lived Ram. They have expressed Ram in their style and words. This ‘Ram Ras’ is continuously flowing like the flow of life. Ram Katha is infinite and Ramayan too is endless. Ideals, values and teachings of Ran are the same everywhere”.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the sacrifice of the people who made today’s day possible. He paid tributes to Saints, Kar Sewaks and Ram Bhakts.

The Prime Minister said “Today’s occasion is not only a moment of celebration, but at the same time it is also a moment of realization of the maturity of Indian society. For us, this is not only an occasion of victory but also of humility.” Explaining the knots of history, the Prime Minister pointed out that the outcome of a nation’s struggle with its history is seldom happy. “Still”, he said “the gravity and sensitivity with which our country has opened this knot of history shows that our future is going to be much more beautiful than our past.” Remembering the doomsayers, the Prime Minister said that such people did not realize the piousness of our social ethos. “The construction of this temple of Ramlala is also a symbol of peace, patience, mutual harmony and coordination of Indian society. We are seeing that this construction is not giving birth to any fire, but to energy. Ram Mandir has brought inspiration to every section of the society to move forward on the path of a bright future”, he said. He continued “Ram is not fire, he is energy, he not conflict but solution, ram does not belong only to us but to all, Ram is not just present but is infinity”

The Prime Minister emphasized that the whole world is connected with the Pran Pratistha and the omnipresence of Ram can be witnessed. He said that similar celebrations can be seen in many countries and the festival of Ayodhya has become a celebration of the global traditions of Ramayana. “Ram Lalla’s prestige is the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’”, he added.

PM Modi underlined that it is not just the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram’s idol but also the consecration of the unwavering faith in Indian culture manifested in the form of Shri Ram. He said that is the embodiment of human values and the highest ideals, which is the need of the hour of the entire world. The Prime Minister said that the resolutions of welfare for all have taken the shape of Ram temple today and it is not just a temple but India’s vision, philosophy, and direction. “This is a temple of national consciousness in the form of Ram. Lord Ram is India’s faith, foundation, idea, law, consciousness, thinking, prestige and glory. Ram is flow, Ram is effect. Ram is Neeti. Ram is eternal. Ram is continuity. Ram is Vibhu. Ram is all-pervading, the world, the universal soul”, the Prime Minister said fervently. He said that the impact of Lord Ram’s Pratishtha can be felt for thousands of years. Quoting Maharishi Valmiki, the Prime Minister said that Ram ruled the kingdom for ten thousand years which signifies the establishment of Ramrajya for thousands of years. “When Ram came in Treta Yug, Ramrajya was established for thousands of years. Ram had been guiding the world for thousands of years”, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister asked every Ram Bhakt to introspect about the path ahead after the realization of the grand Ram Mandir. “Today, I feel with a pure heart that the cycle of time is changing. It is a happy coincidence that our generation has been chosen as the architect of this critical path.” PM Modi underlined the importance of the current epoch and reiterated his line ‘Yahi Samay Hai Sahi Samay Hai’, This is the time, the right time. “We have to lay the foundation of India for the next one thousand years. Moving ahead from the temple, now all of us countrymen take an oath to build a strong, capable, grand and divine India from this very moment”, the Prime Minister exhorted the countrymen. For this, he said, it is important that Ram’s ideal should be there in the conscience of the nation.

The Prime Minister asked the countrymen to expand their consciousness from Dev to Desh, Ram to Rashtra – from deity to nation. He asked them to learn from Shri Hanuman’s service, devotion and dedication. “These feelings of devotion, service and dedication in every Indian will become the basis of a capable, grand and divine India”, he said. The Prime Minister continued and said that the spirit behind Mata Shabri’s trust that ‘Ram will Come’ in every Indian’s heart will be the basis of Grand capable and divine India. Referring to the depth and originality of Ram’s affection for Nishadraj shows that all are one and this feeling of oneness and cohesiveness will be the basis of capable, grand and divine India.

The Prime Minister pointed out that there is no room for despair in the country today. Highlighting the story of the squirrel, the Prime Minister said that those considering themselves to be small and ordinary must remember the contributions of the squirrel and get rid of any hesitancy. He noted that every effort, big or small, has its strength and contribution. “The spirit of Sabka Prayas will become the basis of a strong, capable, grand and divine India. And this is the expansion of the consciousness of the country from God and the consciousness of the nation from Ram”, the Prime Minister exclaimed.

Throwing light on the Jatayu’s integrity who knew about his imminent defeat when he fought Ravan, the ruler of Lanka who possessed extreme knowledge and immense power, the Prime Minister said that the culmination of such duty is the basis of a capable and divine India. Shri Modi pledged to dedicate every moment of life to nation-building and said, “With Ram’s work, Rashtra’s work, every moment of time, every particle of the body will connect the dedication of Ram with the goal of dedication to the nation.

Continuing his theme of going beyond self, PM Modi said our worship of Bhagwan Ram should be for the entire creation, from ‘I’ to ‘us’. Our efforts, he said, should be dedicated to the creation of a Viksit Bharat.

Referring to the ongoing Amrit Kaal and young demographics, the Prime Minister noted the perfect combination of factors for the nation’s growth. The Prime Minister asked the young generation to take the support of their strong heritage and move ahead with confidence. “India will reach the goal of prosperity by following the path of both the purity of tradition and the infinity of modernity”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister underlined that the future is dedicated to successes and accomplishments and the grand Ram Temple will be a witness to the progress and rise of India. “This grand Ram temple will become a witness to the rise of Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister said. Drawing lessons from the temple, the Prime Minister emphasized that a goal can be achieved if it is justified and born out of collective and organized power. “This is India’s time and India is going to move forward. After waiting for centuries we have reached here. We all have waited for this era, this period. Now we will not stop. We will continue to reach the heights of development”, the Prime Minister concluded paying his obeisance at the feet of Ram Lalla and wishing the very best.

Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Shri Mohan Bhagwat and President of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, Shri Nritya Gopal Das were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony witnessed the participation of representatives of all major spiritual and religious sects of the country and people from all walks of life including representatives of various tribal communities.

The magnificent Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir is constructed in traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width 250 feet and height is 161 feet; and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed.

The main entrance to the Mandir is situated on the eastern side, which can be approached by ascending 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar. There are a total of five Mandaps (Halls) in the Mandir – Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap and Kirtan Mandap. Near the Mandir is a historic Well (Sita koop), dating back to the ancient era. In the southwestern part of the Mandir complex, at Kuber Tila, the ancient Mandir of Bhagwan Shiv has been restored, along with the installation of a statue of Jatayu.

The foundation of the Mandir has been constructed with a 14-meter-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), giving it the appearance of artificial rock. No iron is used anywhere in the Mandir. For protection against ground moisture, a 21-foot-high plinth has been constructed using granite. The Mandir complex has a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, water supply for fire safety and an independent power station. The Mandir has been constructed employing the country’s traditional and indigenous technology.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, prayed at the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu today.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“Prayed at the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple for the good health and well-being of 140 crore Indians.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, prayed at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu today.

He also listened to verses of the Kamba Ramayan at the temple where the great Kamban first publically presented his Ramayan.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“Honoured to have got the opportunity to pray at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Prabhu Sri Ram’s connection with this Temple is long-standing. I feel blessed to have been blessed by the God whom Prabhu Sri Ram also worshipped.”

The Prime Minister also listened to verses of the Kamba Ramayan at the temple.

“Listening to verses of the Kamba Ramayan at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is an experience I will cherish for my entire life. The fact that this is the very Temple where the great Kamban first publically presented his Ramayan makes it more noteworthy.”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the 13th Triennial Bathou Mahasabha Conference in Tezpur, Assam, today.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that India is a country with diversity of beliefs and Bathou religion has grown up along with the traditional Sanatan Dharma and it is a very important part of India. He said that due to new perspective and efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Bodoland problem in the Northeast was resolved and today this region is leaving the path of violence and moving forward on the path of development. He said that Dularai Bathou Gouthum was established in Guwahati in 1962 and since then it has been working for the Bodo community and Bathou religion. Shri Shah said that this Mahasabha has worked to reflect the Bathou religion in the lifestyle of the Bodo community with practical and scientific analysis. He said that the Assam government has declared the second Tuesday of the month of Magh as a holiday for Bathou Puja.

The Union Home Minister said that he prays for the peace of the entire world and especially our Northeast region through the spiritual vision of Bathou Mahasabha i.e. Dharma, Non-Violence, Peace, Forgiveness and Compassion. He said that only those who know the meaning of Bathou religion can know about Bathou community. He said that Ba means five and Thou means deep, that is, the science of the five elements and the process of understanding their deep secrets. He said that the basic principle of the Bathou religion of Bodo community is to give the message of unity of the five elements. He said that according to the philosophy of Bathou religion, Borai Bathou permeates the universe. Shri Shah said that this philosophy of five elements is the philosophy of worship of nature and the flag of Bathou religion also reflects this. Shri Shah said that both, the Bathou flag and religion, give the message of worship of the five elements.

Shri Amit Shah said that the five moral messages of Bathouism provide guidance to the entire country and the world. He said that Bathou religion is moving forward on the basis of these five basic messages of sacred experience, sacred practice, compassion, truth and renunciation of hatred. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India and the Government of Assam are committed to strengthening all religions. He said that according to our belief systems there is nothing greater than nature and PM Narendra Modi’s government at Center will leave no stone unturned to preserve and promote our religions that focus on nature-worship, especially in the Northeast. He said that we will definitely do whatever is required for the protection of all religions.

The Union Home Minister said that the Bodo movement has a long history and the Bodo people have struggled a lot to save their culture. He said that the policy of the previous governments was to enjoy power by diverting attention from the fundamental issues and due to this policy thousands of people lost their lives. He said that now under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Bodo Agreement was signed and today there is an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the entire Bodoland. Shri Shah said that Bodoland has not witnessed a single incident of violence in the last 3 years and Bodoland is now on the path of progress. He said that a new saga of development has started here. Prime Minister Modi’s mission of developing and establishing peace in the entire Northeast has been successful today.

Shri Amit Shah said that tenure of Prime Minister Modi has seen a 73% reduction in incidents of violence in the entire Northeast, 71% reduction in deaths of security forces personnel and 86% reduction in civilian deaths. He said that the Modi government has signed nine peace agreements in the last 10 years and about 9000 youth have given up arms and joined the mainstream. He said that due to the agreement finalized by the Modi government on January 27, 2020, more than 1600 youth have joined the mainstream of the society. He said that the Union government and the Assam government together have given a development package of Rs 1500 crore for the development of this area. He said that today, under the leadership of Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, entire Assam is moving on the path of development with peace. He said that the government has created the Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council, and now the state government has done the work of recognizing the local Bodo language as an associate official language of Assam. 10 colleges of Bodoland Territorial Region have been localized and a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh has also been provided to 4,200 cadres of the erstwhile NDFB.

The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for ‘Ayush Diksha’, a first of its kind centre for development of human resources for Ayush professionals of future here today. This state-of-the-art centre will be developed within the campus of Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bhubaneswar.

Speaking at the event, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that Ayush movement has gained a lot of prominence in the last 10 yearsand we are moving towards an integrated medicine approach where an empowered Ayush system of medicine will also be used along with the modern medicine system. He said that as we begin the journey of Ayush Diksha centre here today, this centre will enable the Ayush professionals to hone up their skills and upscale their dexterity in providing world class patient care services to the people of the country. He also said that it will prove as a catalyst to the powerful Ayush movement and its attempt at global movement towards a healthy and happy life experience.

Adding further, the Minister said, “Under the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Ayush movement has regained its strength.  We know how Yoga has revolutionised the world towards a movement of healthy living. With focussed approach to enable and empower other traditional medicines of India, we are confident that Modiji’s vision of a Swastha Bharat will be achieved. The integrated medicinal approach will prove as boon for the people of the country as they can move towards healing their ailments as well as enriching their quality of life by empowering their physical and mental well being.”

The institution will offer training programmes for Ayush professionals, especially those from Ayurveda, as it aims to collaborate with national institutes of prominence for capacity development, strengthening human resources, facilitate research and development, achieve self-sustainability with an objective to generate revenue. The Ayush Diksha centre is being built with a budget of ₹30 crores. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including two auditoriums, 40 modern rooms with all amenities, suites for VIPs, dedicated space for a natural library, discussion rooms, modular kitchen, dining lounge, among other amenities.

The event was also graced by the MP (Lok Sabha) for Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi, the Director General of CCRAS, Prof Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, among other senior officials of the ministry, students and Ayush professionals. The CARI, Bhubaneswar is a unit under Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. This ground breaking initiative marks a significant step towards promoting and advancing research in Ayurveda on scientific lines.

EPFO’s provisional payroll data released on 20^th January, 2024 highlights that EPFO has added 13.95 lakh net members in the month of November, 2023. Cumulative net addition of members during the current financial year continues to remain higher than that of the corresponding period of previous year.

The data indicates that around 7.36 lakh new members have enrolled during November, 2023.  Among the newly joined members, the age-group of 18-25 years constitutes 57.30% of total new members added during the month, showing that majority of the members joining organised sector workforce of the country are youth, who are mostly first-time job seekers.

Payroll data reflects that approximately 10.67 lakh members exited but rejoined EPFO. In fact, these members switched their jobs and re-joined the establishments covered under the ambit of EPFO and opted to transfer their accumulations instead of applying for final settlement thus, extending their social security protection.

Gender-wise analysis of payroll data represents that out of the total 7.36 lakh new members added during the month, around 1.94 lakh are new female members, joining EPFO for the first time. Also, the net female member addition during the month stood at around 2.80 lakh. Percentage of net female members out of net subscriber addition stood at 20.05%, which is highest since September, 2023, showing a growing participation of female employees in the organized sector workforce.

State-wise analysis of payroll data denotes that net member addition is highest in the 5 states/ UTs of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Haryana and Delhi. These states constitute around 58.81% of net member addition, adding a total of 8.20 lakh members during the month. Of all the states, Maharashtra is leading by adding 21.60% of net members during the month.

Month-on-month comparison of industry-wise data displays significant growth in the members working in establishments engaged in the agriculture farms, coffee plantations, sugar, rubber plantations, tiles etc. Of the total net membership, around 41.94% addition is from expert services (consisting of manpower suppliers, normal contractors, security services, miscellaneous activities etc.).

The above payroll data is provisional since the data generation is a continuous exercise, as updating employee record is a continuous process. The previous data hence gets updated every month. From the month of April-2018, EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period September, 2017 onwards. In monthly payroll data, the count of members joining EPFO for the first time through Aadhaar validated Universal Account Number (UAN), existing members exiting from coverage of EPFO and those who exited but re-joining as members, is taken to arrive at net monthly payroll.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the opening ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu today. Shri Modi also launched and laid the foundation stone of projects related to the Broadcasting sector worth about Rs 250 crores. He also witnessed a cultural program. He also placed the Games’ torch handed by two athletes on the cauldron marking the inauguration of Khelo India Youth Games.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed everyone to the 13th Khelo India Games and said that it is a great way to begin 2024. He said that the people gathered on the occasion represent a young India, a new India whose energy is taking the country to new heights in the world of sports. He extended his best wishes to all athletes and sports lovers who have arrived in Chennai from across the country. “Together, you showcase the true spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, he remarked adding that the warm people of Tamil Nadu, the beautiful Tamil language, its culture and cuisine will make the athletes feel at home. He expressed confidence that the hospitality of Tamil Nadu will win all hearts and that the Khelo India Youth Games will provide the opportunity to showcase the skills. “New friendships made here will also last a lifetime”, he added.

Referring to the Doordarshan and All India Radio projects that were inaugurated and for which foundation stone was laid today, the Prime Minister said that Channai Kendra that started broadcasting in 1975 is embarking on a new journey today. 12 Akashvani FM projects in 8 States will cover 1.5 crore people.

Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s contribution to sports in India, the Prime Minister said that it is a land that produces champions. Mentioning the tennis champions Amritraj Brothers, India’s Hockey captain Bhaskaran who led India to a gold medal in the Olympics, Chess players Vishwanathan Anand, Praggnanandhaa and Paralympic champion Mariyappan, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that all athletes will derive inspiration from the land of Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of exposure for the athletes and for that emphasized the utility of holding big sporting events in the country. He added that Khelo India Abhiyan is playing the role of finding talent at the ground level that is participating in these mega events. PM Modi mentioned 12 Khelo India games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Winter Games and Khelo India Para Games as great opportunities to play and find talent. He said that now, four grand cities of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Coimbatore are ready to host the athletes. “Be it a participant or a spectator, the fascinating beaches of Chennai will attract everyone”, the Prime Minister said. He also mentioned the aura of the magnificent temples of Madurai, Trichy’s temples and its art and crafts and the industrious town of Coimbatore and said that the experiences in each of Tamil Nadu’s towns are unforgettable.

The Khelo India Youth Games, the Prime Minister informed, will witness the participation of athletes from all 36 states and union territories of India. “The atmosphere of competition among 5,000 plus athletes during Khelo India Youth Games will be worth an experience”, the Prime Minister said mentioning archery, athletics, badminton, and squash which has been included in Khelo India Games for the first time and Silambam a martial art originating in Tamil Nadu, among other sports. “Khelo India Youth Games will bring together the resolve, commitment and belief of all athletes and the nation will be a witness to their dedication, self-confidence, never-say-die spirit and passion for extraordinary performances”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister remembered Saint Thiruvalluvar and said that through his writings, Saint Thiruvalluvar inspired the youth and gave them direction. Quoting the great saint, the Prime Minister mentioned his teaching of staying strong in adversity. Khelo India Logo also carries his image.  The Prime Minister expressed happiness that VeeraMangai Velu Nachiyar is the mascot of this edition of the games, he said “It is unprecedented for a real-life personality to be chosen as the mascot. Veera Mangai Velu Nachiyar is a symbol of women power. Today her personality is reflected in many decisions of the government. With her inspiration, the government is continuously working to empower sportswomen. He listed women leagues on 20 sports and initiatives like ‘Das kas Dam’ as opportunities to showcase the sporting prowess of women athletes.

Throwing light on India’s recent successes in sports post-2014, the Prime Minister mentioned India’s best-ever performance at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games, historic performance at the Asian Games and Para Games, and the new record of medals at the University Games. Pointing out that it is not an overnight success, and that the athletes were passionate even in the past, the Prime Minister said that they got a boost in enthusiasm and support from the government in the last 10 years. “In the last 10 years, the government reformed, the athletes performed and the entire sports system transformed in India”, the Prime Minister remarked. He mentioned the Khelo India campaign which provides monthly support of Rs 50,000 to thousands of athletes in the country and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Initiative launched in 2014 which ensured training, international exposure and participation in big sporting events for top athletes. “With India’s eyes on the Paris Olympics to be held this year and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, every possible assistance is being provided to athletes under the TOPS initiative”, he said.

The Prime Minister said “Today, we are not waiting for youth to come to sports, we are taking sports to youth”. He highlighted that campaigns like Khelo India are realizing the dreams of youth from rural, poor, tribal and lower-middle-class families. Including showcasing local talent as part of the Local for Vocal mantra, the Prime Minister reiterated his efforts for international exposure for local talent. He pointed out that many international tournaments have been organized in India in the last 10 years. Referring to the recently held Beach Games in Diu, PM Modi said that the games where 8 traditional Indian sports featured were attended by 1600 athletes, will greatly benefit the coastal cities as these games have started a new era of beach games and sports tourism.

The Prime Minister underlined the government’s resolve to provide international exposure to India’s young athletes and the nation becoming an important center of the global sports ecosystem. “Therefore”, the Prime Minister said, “we are working diligently to host the Youth Olympics in 2030 and the Olympic Games in 2036 in India.” Emphasizing that sports is not limited to just the field but is a huge economy in itself creating many employment opportunities for the youth, the Prime Minister reiterated his guarantee to make India the third-largest economy in the world. He stated that the government has been making all efforts to increase the share of the sports economy and developing sports-related sectors in the past 10 years. He mentioned the focus on skill development to nurture sports professionals and the creation of a sports equipment manufacturing and services ecosystem in the country.  The Prime Minister said that the government is providing a platform to the professionals related to sports science, innovation, manufacturing, sports coaching, sports psychology, and sports nutrition in the country. He mentioned the creation of India’s first National Sports University in the past years, creation of more than 300 prestigious academies in the country under the Khelo India campaign, 1,000 Khelo India centers and more than 30 centers of excellence. In the new National Education Policy of the country, the Prime Minister informed that sports has been made a part of the main curriculum helping create awareness about choosing sports as a career in childhood itself.

Talking about the expected growth of India’s sports industry to one lakh crore rupees,  PM Modi noted the new awareness about sports and the resulting growth in broadcasting, sports goods, sports tourism and sports apparel business. Shri Modi said it is the effort of the government to create manufacturing clusters for sports equipment in different parts of the country.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the sports infrastructure that has been created under Khelo India is becoming a great source of employment. He said various sporting leagues are also creating new jobs. “Today, for our youth in schools and colleges who want to make their career in sports-related sectors, their better future too is Modi’s guarantee” the Prime Minister added.

“India is making waves in every sector, not just in sports”, the Prime Minister said emphasizing that the New India has started breaking old records and creating new ones. He expressed belief in the potential of India’s youth, its faith, determination, mental strength and desire to win. He said that today’s India can set huge goals and achieve them. He expressed confidence that this year will witness the creation of new records and marking new achievements for the nation and the world. “You have to move forward because India will move forward with you. Get together, win and make the country win. I declare Khelo India Youth Games 2023 open”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R N Ravi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Dr L Murugan and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Nisith Pramanik were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The unwavering commitment of the Prime Minister to promote grassroots sports development and nurture budding sports talent resulted in the start of the Khelo India Youth Games. The Prime Minister was the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony of the 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023 held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. This is the first time that Khelo India Youth Games are being held in South India. The Games will be played across four cities of Tamil Nadu, namely Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore from 19th  to 31st  January 2024.

The mascot for the games is Veera Mangai. Rani Velu Nachiyar, fondly called Veera Mangai, was an Indian queen who waged a war against British colonial rule. The mascot symbolizes the valour and spirit of Indian women, embodying the strength of women power. The logo for the games incorporates the figure of poet Thiruvalluvar.

Over 5600 athletes will be participating in this edition of Khelo India Youth Games, spread across 13 days in 15 venues with 26 sporting disciplines, over 275 competitive events and 1 demo sport.  The 26 sporting disciplines are a diverse mix of conventional sports such as Football, Volleyball, Badminton etc. and traditional sports such as Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang ta, Kabaddi and Yogasana. Silambam, a traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, is being introduced as a demo sport for the first time in the history of Khelo India Youth Games.

During the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister also launched and laid the foundation stone of projects related to the Broadcasting sector worth about Rs 250 crore. This includes the launch of the revamped DD Podhigai channel as DD Tamil; 12 Akashvani FM projects in 8 States; and 4 DD transmitters in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for 26 new FM transmitter Projects in 12 States.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka today. Built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crores, the 43-acre campus is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the USA. The Prime Minister also launched the Boeing Sukanya Program which aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector.

The Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the Experience Center and interacted with Sukanya beneficiaries.

COO of Boeing Company, Ms Stephanie Pope lauded the Prime Minister’s focus on the growth of the aviation sector in India and his instrumental role in making the Boeing Sukanya Program a reality today. She expressed gratitude for the continued support and looked forward to working together to shape the future of aerospace.  Ms Stephanie said that this new campus is a testament to Boeing’s engineering legacy and it underlines the belief in the availability, depth of talent and capability that exists in India. She elaborated on the scope of the new campus and Boeing’s plan to create an ecosystem that propels India to the forefront of the aerospace industry. Ultimately, Ms Stephanie said that the new Boeing campus will become one of the most cutting-edge examples of the Prime Minister’s self-reliant India initiative or ‘Atmanirbharta’. She credited the Prime Minister for his idea of the Sukanya program and lauded Boeing’s efforts to create and accelerate opportunities in aviation for Indian women. “This program will break barriers and inspire more women to pursue careers in aerospace”, she remarked. She further explained about the plans to provide STEM labs in middle schools. She expressed confidence that Boeing and India’s partnership would shape the future of aviation and make a positive difference for the people of India and around the world.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Bengaluru is a city which links aspirations to innovations and achievements, and India’s tech potential to global demands. “Boeing’s new technology campus is going to strengthen this belief”, the Prime Minister said, informing that the newly inaugurated campus is Boeing’s largest facility located outside the USA. He underlined that its scale and magnitude will not only strengthen India but also the aviation market of the world.

The Prime Minister said that this facility demonstrates India’s commitment to drive global tech, research & innovation, design and demand. “This strengthens the ‘Make in India-Make for the World’ resolution”, he said. “This campus reinforces the world’s trust in India’s talent”, he added. He expressed the faith that one day, India will design aircraft of the future in this facility.

Recalling the inauguration of Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing factory in Karnataka last year, the Prime Minister said that Boeing’s new facility is a clear indication of Karnataka’s rise as a new aviation hub. He especially congratulated the youth of India who would now have multiple opportunities to acquire new skills in the aviation industry.

The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s efforts to increase women’s participation in every sector and also reiterated India’s push towards women-led development during its G20 Presidency. He said that the government is committed to creating new opportunities for women in the aerospace sector. “Be it fighter pilots or civil aviation, India is leading the world in the number of women pilots”, a proud Prime Minister said informing that 15 percent of India’s pilots are women which is 3 times more than the global average. Speaking about the Boeing Sukanya program, the Prime Minister said that it will give a boost to women’s participation in the aviation sector while helping the poor living in far-flung areas to realize their dreams of becoming a pilot. Under the program, the Prime Minister informed that career coaching and development facilities will be provided in government schools to pursue a career as a pilot.

PM Modi said that the historic success of Chandrayaan has infused scientific temper among the youth of India. Underling India’s status as hub of STEM education, the Prime Minister noted that  girls have taken up STEM subjects in a big way. He said that India has become the world’s third largest aviation domestic market. In a decade, the number of domestic passengers has doubled. He said schemes like UDAN have played a big role in this. This number is going to increase further leading to increased demand. This has resulted in new orders of fleets by India’s airlines giving new impetus to the global aviation sector. “This has happened because India is working while keeping the aspiration and needs of its citizens paramount”, he said.

PM Modi talked about the government’s focus on investment in connectivity infrastructure to overcome the previous handicap of poor connectivity that was preventing India’s potential in performance. He said that India is becoming one of the most well connected markets. He said today India has about 150 operational airports, up from about 70 in 2014. He also said that efficiency of the airports have been enhanced significantly. He also touched upon the increased air cargo capacity leading to overall growth of economy and employment generation.

The Prime Minister highlighted the rapid growth of the air cargo sector due to India’s increased airport capacity. He said that it has made transportation of products from remote areas of India to international markets easier. “The rapidly growing aviation sector is also giving impetus to India’s overall growth and employment generation”, Shri Modi added.

The Prime Minister underlined that the government is continuously taking steps at the policy level to ensure that the growth of its aviation sector continues and accelerates. He said that the center is encouraging state governments to reduce taxes related to aviation fuel and also working to make Aircraft Leasing easier. He also mentioned the International Financial Services Centers Authority established in Gift City to reduce India’s offshore dependence on aircraft leasing and financing. “The aviation sector of the entire country will also benefit from this”, he added.

Recalling his declaration from the Red Fort, ‘Yahi Samay hai, Sahi Samay Hai’, the Prime Minister said that this is also the right time for Boeing and other international companies to link their growth with India’s rapid rise. “Building a developed India in the next 25 years has now become the resolve of 140 crore Indians”, he emphasized. In the last 9 years, the Prime Minister informed, we have lifted approximately 25 crore Indians out of poverty and these crores of Indians are now creating a neo-middle class. He mentioned upward mobility being seen as a trend in every income group in India. Speaking about the expansion of India’s tourism sector, the Prime Minister urged the stakeholders to take maximum advantage of all the new possibilities being created.

PM Modi stressed the need to build an aircraft manufacturing ecosystem in India as he highlighted the potential of India’s strong network of MSMEs, huge talent pool, and stable government in India. “India’s policy approach to encourage ‘Make in India’ is a Win-Win situation for every investor”, the Prime Minister said. Shri Modi expressed confidence that India will not have to wait too long for Boeing’s first fully designed and manufactured aircraft in India. “I am confident that India’s aspirations and Boeing’s expansion will emerge as a strong partnership”, PM Modi concluded.

Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddarammiah, COO of Boeing Company, Ms Stephanie Pope and President of Boeing India and South Asia, Mr Salil Gupte were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister inaugurated the new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru. Built with an investment of Rs. 1,600 crores, the 43-acre campus is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the USA. Boeing’s new campus in India will become a cornerstone for partnership with the vibrant startup, private and government ecosystem in India, and will help develop next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

The Prime Minister also launched the Boeing Sukanya Program which aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector. The program will provide opportunities for girls and women from across India to learn critical skills in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields and train for jobs in the aviation sector. For young girls, the program will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers. The program will also provide scholarships to women who are training to be pilots.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of 8 AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) projects worth around Rs. 2,000 crores in Solapur, Maharashtra today. Shri Modi dedicated to the nation more than 90,000 houses completed under PMAY-Urban in Maharashtra and 15,000 houses of Raynagar Housing Society in Solapur, whose beneficiaries comprise thousands of handloom workers, vendors, power loom workers, rag pickers, Bidi workers, drivers, among others. He also initiated the distribution of 1st and 2nd instalments to 10,000 beneficiaries of PM-SVANIDHI in Maharashtra during the programme.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the nation is in a mood for bhakti with the Pran Pratishtha at the Ram Temple at Ayodhya Dham on 22nd January. “The decade-old pain of Lord Ram’s darshan in a tent will be far out now”, PM Modi remarked. He said he is following the rules and regulations of the 11-day anushthan with utmost dedication and commitment under the guidance of saints and seers and expressed confidence in conducting the Pran Pratishtha with the blessings of all citizens. The Prime Minister noted the fact that his 11-day special ritual was initiated at Panchwati in Nashik, Maharashtra. He expressed happiness that more than one lakh families of Maharashtra are having their ‘Grih Pravesh’ in this moment of devotion. “It is a matter of great joy that these 1 lakh families will light Ram Jyoti in their pucca homes in the evening of 22nd January”, he said. At the request of PM Modi, the people displayed their pledge of Ram Jyoti by switching on their mobile flashes.

The Prime Minister congratulated the people of the region and entire Maharashtra on the projects that were launched today. He credited the hard work of the people of Maharashtra and the progressive state government’s efforts for the glory of Maharashtra.

“Ram always taught us to be true to our words and promises”, the Prime Minister said expressing delight that the resolution taken for the thousands of poor from Solapur is becoming a reality today. An emotional Prime Minister said that the largest society under PM Awas Yojna has been inaugurated today and recalled the wish from his childhood days about living in such homes. “It gives immense satisfaction when the dreams of thousands of families are realized and their blessings become my greatest wealth”, a teary-eyed Prime Minister exclaimed. He recalled assuring the people during the foundation stone laying ceremony of this project that Modi himself would come to hand over the keys to their houses upon completion of the project. “Today Modi has fulfilled his guarantee”, he continued “Modi’s guarantee means fulfilment of guarantee.” The Prime Minister highlighted that those who received their houses today, and their generations, had to face suffering and distress due to homelessness and expressed confidence that the chain of suffering will now break and the future generations will not face the same ordeal. “Ram Jyoti to be lit on 22nd January will become an inspiration to ward off the darkness of poverty”, the Prime Minister said. He wished for a life full of happiness for everyone.

The Prime Minister prayed for the prosperity and happiness of the families that are getting new homes today. “Our government is trying from the first day to ensure that there is good governance in the country by following the ideals of Shri Ram and honesty reigns in the country. It is Ram Rajya only that inspired the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”, said PM Modi. Quoting Ramchari Manas, Shri Modi reiterated the government’s focus on the welfare of the poor.

PM Modi recalled the time when the poor were deprived of dignity due to the absence of basic amenities like pucca houses and toilets. This led to attention on houses and toilet issues by the present government and 10 crores ‘Izzat Ghar’ and 4 crore pucca houses were provided in a mission mode.

The Prime Minister said that instead of misguiding people, the path of the government is ‘dignity of labour’, ‘self-reliant worker’ and ‘welfare of the poor’. “You dream big. Your dreams are my resolution”, the Prime Minister assured. He mentioned affordable urban houses and fair rent societies for migrant labourers. “We are making efforts to provide residences near to the place of work’, ” he said.

Drawing an analogy to the city of Solapur with Ahmedabad about being the city of ‘Shramiks’, the Prime Minister highlighted his connection to the city of Solapur during his time at ‘Purvashram’ and said that it was the Padmashali families that provided food to him even though their living conditions were poor. He recalled being presented with a weaved artwork of Lakshmanrao Inamdar, a lawyer who was instrumental in shaping the Prime Minister’s life and said that it still remains an important part of his life today.

The Prime Minister pointed out the lack of results of earlier poverty alleviation programmes due to the absence of proper intent and middleman pilferage. Due to clean intention, policies favouring the empowerment of the poor and commitment to the nation, the Prime Minister said ‘Modi has given the guarantee of taking the benefit of the government schemes directly to the beneficiaries. In the last 10 years, more than 30 lakh crore rupees have been transferred directly to the accounts of women, farmers, youth and the poor”, he said. 10 crore fake beneficiaries were weeded out using JAM trinity of Jan Dhan-Aadhar -Mobile.

Highlighting the efforts of the government to prioritize the welfare of the poor by initiating multiple schemes, the Prime Minister informed that 25 crore people in the country have come out of poverty in the last 9 years. This, the Prime Minister said, is a result of the tapasya of 10 years and true dedication towards the poor. He said that it also empowers and inspires others to defeat poverty.

The Prime Minister reiterated the belief that the poor can overcome poverty if resources and facilities are provided to them. Therefore, the present government provided resources and facilities and made honest efforts toward their welfare. Recalling the time when the main issue concerning the poor was two meals per day, the Prime Minister mentioned the free ration program initiated by the government so that no poor person has to sleep on an empty stomach. He further added that the scheme initiated during the coronavirus period is now being extended for 5 more years. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to support those 25 crore people who have come out of poverty so that they do not fall back below the poverty line anytime in the future. “These 25 crore people are moving forward with the dedication to fulfil my resolve and I stand with them”, he added.

Mentioning One Nation One Ration Card, the Prime Minister said that this will ensure consistent supply of ration to those who are on the move. He underlined medical expenditure as the chief cause of pushing people into poverty and making it difficult to break the cycle of poverty. To address this, the government came out with the Ayushman Card that provides medical treatment up to 5 lakh rupees, saving about 1 lakh crore rupees on medical expenses. Similarly, medicines are available at an 80 percent discount on Jan Aushadhi Kendra saving about 30 thousand crore rupees of poor patients. Jal Jeevan mission is saving citizens from waterborne diseases. The highest number of beneficiaries come from backward and tribal communities, he informed.  “The poor should get a pucca house, toilet, electricity connection, water, all such facilities are also a guarantee of social justice”, PM Modi emphasized.

“The poor must be provided with economic security. This too is Modi’s guarantee”, the Prime Minister remarked as he mentioned life insurance schemes for the poor with Rs 2 lakhs cover for accidents and life insurance. He informed about Rs 16,000 crores in the form of insurance to poor families during their time of need.

PM Modi underlined that Modi’s guarantee is becoming a boon, especially for those who had no bank guarantees to keep. He mentioned those who did not have bank accounts and pointed out that availing a bank loan was impossible. The Prime Minister touched upon the Jan Dhan Yojna which connected 50 crore poor with the banking system by opening up bank accounts and mentioned today’s occasion where 10,000 beneficiaries got bank assistance under PM Svanidhi. He also mentioned that the street vendors and hawkers, who had to look towards the market to avail of high-interest loans, are now being provided bank loans without any guarantee. “So far, loans worth thousands of crores have been disbursed to them”, he added.

Noting that Solapur is an industrial city, a city of workers, known for its textiles, Prime Minister Modi said that the city boasts the largest MSME cluster for making school uniforms. Keeping in mind such Viswakarmas who are involved in stitching uniforms, the government came out with the PM Vishwakarma Scheme to provide loans, training, and modern equipment. He asked the deserving candidates to get enrolled as ‘Modi Ki Guarantee ki Gadi is making rounds all over the country.

Stressing the need to create an Aatmnirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister underlined the role of small and cottage industries in the mission. Listing the steps to support the MSMEs, PM Modi mentioned the package during the pandemic and One District One Product Scheme. He said that due to campaigns like Vocal for Local and Made in India, Indian products are finding new possibilities due to improved profile.

The Prime Minister underlined that India will be included in the top three economies of the world during the present government’s third term. “I have guaranteed this to the citizens and this will also be fulfilled”, he emphasized. He highlighted the role of many cities like Solapur in the economic expansion of the country and credited the double-engine government for continuously improving facilities like water and sewage in these cities. He also noted the development work of connecting cities with good roads, railways and airways taking place at a fast pace. “Be it Sant Gyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg or Sant Tukaram Palkhi Marg, work on these is also going on at a fast pace. The work of the four-lane highway between Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Solapur will also be completed soon”, he added. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the citizens will continue to bless the government and congratulated those who got their permanent homes today.

Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar and Founder of Raynagar Federation, Shri Narsayya Adam were present on the occasion among others.