World faced with challenging time but India stronger now: Modi

Kashmir, Ladakh not just piece of land for us; Dares Oppn to declare bringing back Art 370 in manifesto

14/10/2019

BHANDARA, Oct 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said though the world was faced with a "challenging time" India is stronger to deal with the same.
He also said the rural economy was not paid attention to earlier unlike his government has done and added that Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on the development of infrastructure in villages.
Addressing a poll rally at Sakoli in Bhandara district of Maharashtra, Modi said in earlier days schemes were worked out on caste and community considerations. "However, for my government, only people matter," he said, adding that farmers, the poor and deprived sections are the focus of his schemes.
The prime minister said his government was working with a new energy towards creating the identity of a "New India", thanks to the huge mandate his party and allies received during the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year.
"We are working new energy for creating new identity of New India. The world is faced with a challenging time now.
But India is stronger now to deal with the challenge. This is because of the trust you have reposed. This trust is inspiring us to take big decisions. Such decisions people earlier were scared of taking," Modi said.
In the run-up to elections, the ruling BJP has been fighting the Opposition's allegations of "failure" to revive the "sagging economy".
In an apparent jibe at the Congress, which had mostly ruled Maharashtra since its formation in 1960, Modi said "divisive politics" has now become history in the state.
He said people had shown a "trailer" in the 2014 Assembly poll by reposing faith in the BJP-led 'Mahayuti', and exuded confidence that they will show the "entire film" in the forthcoming state elections, scheduled on October 21.
"Earlier, attention was not paid to the rural economy like it is now...in the coming years, Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on developing infrastructure in villages," Modi said.
He said roads are being developed in rural areas and godowns will be created to store grains of farmers.
"Works are being carried out on a broad vision on both irrigation and income. We have tried to change the situation and have taken steps to solve the problems of farmers permanently," the prime minister said.
Stating that pension plan for small farmers has now been realised, Modi said his government was also focusing on providing direct benefit to farmers.
"An amount of Rs 2000 crore is already deposited in the accounts of small farmers in Maharashtra," he added.
The PM also said his government had "historically" raised the minimum support price (MSP) for several crops, including paddy, over the past one-and-half years.
Modi also asked the audience about land ownership titles in Marathi.
"Sakolikars (people of Sakoli) Haven't you become 'bhuswamis' (owners of land) from 'bhu-dharaks (landholders)? Who made this happen which had not happened since Independence? It is the BJP government which has made it possible, right?" Modi said.
He listed schemes like livestock vaccination, Mudra, pension for labourers among the welfare measures launched by his government.
"Toilets were built, electricity, LPG cylinders and pucca houses were provided to the poor across villages in Maharashtra. Free medical treatment for the poor is a reality now," he said.
"Our policies and strategies are for the welfare of the people and the nation...The country today has left behind days when schemes were worked out based on regions, classes and communities.
"At the centre of all our schemes -- like providing toilets and free medical treatment to the poor -- is the poor.
Region, caste, community are not important for us. For us, everyone he is son of the motherland. This was the sentiment of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Saint Tukaram," Modi said.
The PM reiterated that his government had launched the "Jal Jeevan Mission" after assuming office.
Under the scheme, Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be used for water conservation and for building resources for the purpose in the coming years, he said.
"This will not only benefit paddy farmers, but it will also save time spent by our sisters in fetching water," the PM added.
"When pure water will be made available to everyone, you and your cattle will be healthier. Industry will develop swiftly in drought-hit regions with the proper supply of water. This will provide new mediums of employment," he added.
Tourism was also developing in India, the prime minister said.
Referring to his recent informal interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tamil Nadu, PM said the visitors were impressed by India's culture.
Speaking about Vidarbha region in east Maharashtra, the prime minister said, "This entire region is full of jungles, lakes and streams. There is lot of scope for tourism here."
Earlier in the day, Modi addressed a campaign rally at Jalgaon in north Maharashtra.
Stepping up attack on the Congress and NCP over abrogation of Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dared them to declare in their manifesto that they will bring back the provisions which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing his first rally ahead of the October 21 Maharashtra Assembly polls, Modi said Jammu and Kashmir was "not just a parcel of land, but crown of India", and assured it will not take more than four months to normalise the kind of situation that prevailed there for 40 years.
He accused the opposition parties of politicising the issue of Article 370 and charged them with "speaking on the same lines as that of the neighbouring country".
The prime minister lavished praise on the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government for its five-year performance, which he said, was "corruption-free" and inspired confidence among all, including farmers and industries.
Attacking the Congress and NCP, Modi said it was "unfortunate" that they were "politicising" the "unprecedented" decision of scrapping of Article 370.
Their leaders thought exactly opposite of what the entire nation feels about Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
"You look at the statements made by Congress, NCP of late...They seem to be speaking one lines of the neighbouring country," Modi said, without naming the leaders as he apparently referred to Pakistan.
Accusing the opposition leaders of shedding crocodile tears on the issue of Article 370, he said, "I challenge them, if they have guts, declare in their manifesto for state election and future polls too, that they will bring back Article 370 and 35A, which the BJP, the Modi government scrapped...that they will change the August 5 decision."
"Stop shedding these crocodile tears," Modi told the opposition parties.
Wondering whether bringing back Article 370 will be acceptable to people, he said the opposition parties will have no future if they were to do so.
Hailing the move, Modi said earlier it was "unthinkable" that such a decision (of abrogating the Article) could be taken, and noted that only separatism and terrorism spread in Jammu and Kashmir over the years.
The scope for development of the poor, women, Dalits and the exploited sections was slim, he pointed out.
Members of the Valmiki community in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were even deprived of their human rights, he said.
"Today, I can say bowing before Bhagwan Valmiki that I have the fortune of embracing those brothers," he added.
Modi said there was "no difference" between what the BJP-led government preached and practised.
He also hit out at the opposition over the issue of banning triple talaq, alleging they tried to see Muslim sisters did not get justice.
"But, I kept the promise made to Muslim mothers and sisters," he said, and also challenged the opposition "to bring back the practice of triple talaq".
Taking a dig at the opposition, Modi, without naming any party, said the "tired allies" can extend each other support, but cannot fulfil the dreams of Maharashtra and aspirations of its youth.
Notably, senior Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde recently remarked that both his party and the NCP are "tired".
Without naming NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Modi also referred to a video clip featuring the veteran leader and alleged that he elbowed away a party worker as he was being garlanded at a poll rally in Akola.
In the video clip, which went viral on social media recently, Pawar was purportedly seen being honoured with a big garland by NCP workers. At the same time, a party worker tried to get into the garland and was purportedly nudged by Pawar.
"I don't know whether the clip is genuine or not...
such a big leader whose photos appeared in newspapers all these years, who was seen on TV, but he has such a small heart that he elbowed the young man (the worker) as he tried to get inside (the garland)," Modi said.
Modi "thanked" people for reposing their faith in the BJP-led NDA government, saying their votes for an "able and strong New India" in the Lok Sabha elections will help the country attain the place it deserves in the world.
"Because of this mandate, India's voice is being heard by each of the world's strong force...The world is seeing a reinvigorated New India. This not because of Modi, but because of your one vote. Only my 130 crore countrymen are behind it," Modi said.
Praising the Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, the prime minister said it ensured communal harmony in the state over the last five years and managed to inspire confidence among farmers and industries.
Modi said he has come to Maharashtra to seek people's support for re-electing Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister for a second term.
He also listed several works and initiatives launched by the BJP-led central and Maharashtra governments.
Hitting out at the opposition parties for objecting to the government's decision of abrogating Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were not just a piece of land, but "crown of India".
Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district to campaign for the BJP for the upcoming state polls, he said the opposition by some parties and leaders to decisions in India's interests was "unfortunate".
The opposition seems to be speaking on lines of the neighbouring country on Article 370, he said.
"I challenge the opposition to declare in their manifesto that they will bring back Article 370...Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are not just a piece of land for us, but crown of India," he said.
Modi said today, every world power is listening to India's voice.
"The josh of new India is not due to Modi, but your one vote," he told the gathering.
The prime minister said he has come to Maharashtra to seek people's support for re-electing Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister for a second term.

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