Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the foundation stone laying ceremony of Sardardham Phase-II, Kanya Chhatralaya in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, through a video message, highlighting the importance of education and empowerment of daughters in nation-building.
The Prime Minister described Sardardham as a name as sacred as its mission, noting that the new hostel will provide opportunities to thousands of young women to pursue education and fulfill their aspirations. “Once these daughters become self-reliant and capable, they will naturally contribute to nation-building and strengthen their families as well,” he said, extending his best wishes to the students and their families.
PM Modi expressed gratitude for being part of the initiative, noting that Sardardham already provides excellent facilities for 3,000 students and that hostel projects for 2,000 students in Vadodara are nearing completion. Similar education and training centres are being developed in Surat, Rajkot, and Mehsana.
Reflecting on his tenure as Chief Minister, PM Modi recalled the challenges Gujarat faced 25–30 years ago, especially in girls’ education. He cited the Kanya Shiksha Rath Yatra, when officials personally escorted girls to schools during peak summer, leading to a surge in enrollment. “Today, many of those daughters are doctors and engineers. Dropout rates have declined, and the hunger for education has spread across Gujarat,” he said.
The Prime Minister also condemned female foeticide, calling it a “grave stigma” and praised Gujarat’s societal movement against the practice. He said this collective effort helped improve the state’s child sex ratio and foster a culture of gender equality.
Linking these initiatives to nationwide campaigns, PM Modi said the seeds sown in Gujarat had grown into a larger movement “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and that India is now witnessing historic efforts for women’s safety and empowerment. He highlighted initiatives such as Operation Sindoor, Lakhpati Didis, Drone Didi, Bank Sakhi and Bima Sakhi, which he said are transforming rural economies and empowering women at the grassroots.
Turning to education and employment, the Prime Minister stressed that the new education policy places strong emphasis on skill development. Under the Skill India Mission, he said, millions of youth are being trained to meet global demand. He noted that India’s startup ecosystem has grown from a few ventures a decade ago to nearly two lakh today, supported by schemes such as the Mudra Yojana. He also cited the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, under which the government provides ₹15,000 towards the salary of every new private sector hire.
On economic growth, PM Modi highlighted rapid progress in infrastructure, renewable energy, drones, and defence industries. He reiterated his call for self-reliance through Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, urging citizens to embrace swadeshi products. “The Swadeshi movement is not a relic of the past but a campaign for the future. Families should resolve that no foreign item enters their homes,” he said, suggesting even traders display boards stating “Only Swadeshi Products Sold Here.”
“Success in Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat belongs to all. Once people start choosing Indian products, quality will automatically improve through competition,” the Prime Minister asserted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, and other dignitaries also attended the event.