PM Modi Highlights India\'s Global Role, Boosts Border Area Development

DEHRADUN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India's voice is getting stronger in a world surrounded by challenges and asserted that the country's power was acknowledged internationally during the G-20 summit. Earlier in the day, he laid the foundation stones for Rs 4,200 crores of developmental projects in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

Targeting the Opposition at a public rally, Mr Modi said, "There was a time when a mood of despair gripped the nation. Everyone prayed and wondered when the country will be pulled out of the dark shadows of scams involving thousands of crores of rupees.”

"But now, when the world is surrounded by challenges, India's voice is getting stronger. Don't you feel good when India shows the world the way?" the Prime Minister asked.

Talking about India’s growing stature on the world stage, the Prime Minister said that when he shakes hands with dignitaries from around the world, he looks into their eyes. "When they look at me, they do not see me but see the 140-crore people of the country in me," he said, adding that it was evident during the G-20 summit held in Delhi.

Addressing a huge rally in Pithoragarh, Mr Modi accused the previous governments of ignoring the development of border areas because they feared enemy infiltration. He said, unlike in the past, the development of border areas is a priority for his government.

Speaking about the ongoing infrastructure developments in Uttarakhand and other border areas of the country, the Prime Minister said, “One of the priorities of the government is the development of border areas. New services are being developed at a fast pace."

The Prime Minister said that the Centre’s Vibrant Village scheme has turned the last villages into the first villages of the country. “Our effort is to bring back people who have left these villages. We want to increase tourism in these villages,” Mr Modi said, adding that people had to leave their homes because of the wrong policies of past governments.

“Lack of development had led to migration from Uttarakhand's villages, with many of them completely deserted. With the change in circumstances, people are gradually returning to their homes,” he said.

Describing Uttarakhand as the land of valour, the Prime Minister said, “Every village here produces those who protect India’s borders. It is this government that fulfilled their decade-old demand for one rank, one pension (OROP).” He added that more than '70,000 crores have been transferred to former soldiers under the OROP, benefiting more than 75,000 families.

Referring to the women's reservation law, the Prime Minister said that the issue was pending for the last three to four decades, but his government passed legislation for a 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

The Prime Minister also referred to India's successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, saying it reached that part of the moon where no other country could.

On poverty alleviation, Mr Modi pointed out that past governments coined the slogan "Garibi Hatao", but I say that poverty can be uprooted by owning and taking responsibility. “Together we can eradicate poverty,” he emphasised, as he pointed out that over 13.50-crore people have risen above the poverty line in the last five years alone. It shows that India can overcome poverty, he said.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple development projects in Uttarakhand worth nearly Rs 4,200 crores. He said the projects will steer the Kumaon region on the path of development.

Mr Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit Adi Kailash, located along the Nepal and China borders. Earlier, he performed pooja and darshan at the Parvati Kund.

"I always feel blessed when I am in Uttarakhand amongst you,” the Prime Minister remarked.