Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024 on Saturday, highlighted India’s remarkable transformation from the struggles of independence to a nation now riding the waves of aspiration and development. He stressed that the country’s future lies in collective effort and expressed his optimism for India’s continued growth, saying, “I hope this century will belong to India.”
Reflecting on India’s progress, PM Modi said, “India has traversed a remarkable journey, moving from the struggles of independence to riding waves of aspiration and development. This journey, unique in itself, reflects the indomitable spirit of the nation. Ten years ago, such transformations seemed unimaginable. Today, there is hope that this century will belong to India.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that achieving this vision requires investment across all sectors, with a commitment to excellence. “Processes must be streamlined to ensure India’s standards are recognized as world-class. In education, efforts are underway to establish India as a global leader in quality learning,” he said.
PM Modi lauded the resilience of the Indian people, highlighting how their collective strength has been pivotal throughout the nation’s history. He pointed out that India’s citizens have always stood firm in times of crisis, from the independence movement to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The strength that has guided India, both before and after independence, is the resilience of the common citizen,” he stated. He also noted that the people’s resolve had restored democracy during challenging times, including the Emergency period.
On the topic of vote-bank politics, PM Modi criticized it for creating inequality and distrust among citizens. He said that his government’s vision is focused on progress for all, transcending the divisiveness of vote-bank politics. “A popular saying once echoed in policymaking circles: ‘Good economics is bad politics.’ This notion allowed previous governments to avoid tough decisions. Vote-bank politics took precedence, creating inequality and distrust among citizens. Today, that trust has been restored,” he said.
The Prime Minister underscored the role of India’s youth in driving the nation’s economic growth. “Now, India’s youth are fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem, with over 1.25 lakh registered startups shaping the economy,” he said. He also highlighted the empowerment of women, noting that nearly 10 crore women entrepreneurs, affectionately referred to as “Lakhpati Didis,” are running businesses in rural India. “When the middle class and underprivileged start taking risks, transformative change becomes visible,” he added.
PM Modi also pointed to the government’s economic policies, emphasizing increased capital expenditure for public infrastructure. “In 2014, the union budget stood at Rs 16 lakh crore; today, it has grown to Rs 48 lakh crore. Capital expenditure, which was around Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2013-14, now exceeds Rs 11 lakh crore,” he said. He cited programs like Ujala Yojana and the Swachh Bharat Mission, which have significantly reduced household expenses and improved public health. “Ujala Yojana has saved citizens Rs 20,000 crore annually in electricity bills, and the Swachh Bharat Mission has saved rural families approximately Rs 50,000 each,” PM Modi concluded.
(Inputs from ANI)