1 step a person, 125 crore steps for India: Modi

Rameswaram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the grand memorial for Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam built at the place where the People’s President was laid to rest at his native place this day two years ago.

Mr Modi cut the ribbon and offered flowers at the tomb along with NDA’s Vice-President nominee Venkaiah Naidu, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and TN Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

Speaking at a rally a couple of km across the Pamban bridge. Mr Modi urged the people to work together to fulfil Kalam’s dream of seeing a developed India by 2022 when it celebrates its 75th Independence Day.

“There are 125 crore people and if each one takes one step, then the country would be 125 crore steps ahead,” he said.

In a reference to the Ramayana, Mr Modi said a small squirrel had helped Lord Ram in constructing the ‘Ramasethu’. “If people are committed like that squirrel, the country can scale great heights,” he said.

He  praised Mr Naidu, DRDO and the TN government for completing “in such a short span of time” the magnificent monument, comprising several photographs, paintings, sculptures and manuscripts documenting Kalam’s life and achievements.

Mr Modi said Kalam loved youths and students very much, and it was for their benefit that Stand Up and Start Up schemes had been launched.

Mr Modi said the Centre’s Sagar-mala project would transform the logistic sector and change the lives of those living along the 7,500 km coastline in the country. 

“The 7,500 km long coastline has a potential of fetching huge investment. Keeping that in mind, we are implementing the Sagarmala project with an objective to exploit the coastline to benefit logistic transport sector,” he said and added that the government had plans to bring a big change in the lives of those living along the coastline.

PM misses Jaya at kalam event
Regretting that late Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha was not alive to see the Kalam memorial come up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said had she been present there, she would have appreciated the hard labour of the workers who did extra two hours every day, without demanding additional wages.

“If Amma were to be here, she would have appreciated and blessed the workers for their sacrifice. It is unfortunate she is not here,” the Prime Minister said.