Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (Saturday) participated in the centenary celebrations of Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce. Addressing the SRCC event, PM Modi said that this moment is historic. It is important for the country’s education sector. Many generations who were part of SRCC are gathered here. I congratulate all of you on the centenary celebrations of SRCC. SRCC alumni are OG. SRCC people have made a splash in every field. They may not be great, but they have made a splash.
My 2013 speech is being widely discussed.
PM Modi said that these days people are remembering my 2013 address. They’ve heard it again. That speech created a wave, and even today, 13-14 years later, its impact remains. Your seniors were sitting in your place then. I was the Chief Minister but also a member of the main opposition party. Everyone expected me to launch a barrage of accusations against the then central government. But despite being in the opposition and being a critic of the then government, I didn’t use that platform for that. I spoke positively then.
What I said in 2013 was my conviction.
The Prime Minister further explained that whatever I said then was my conviction. I have always lived those dreams. My deepest commitment to the country, my passion to live for it, manifested itself in a string of words from this very platform in 2013.
Must-read news for today’s youth in 2013
PM Modi said that today’s youth should definitely read the news from 2013. The news then was about the killing of Indian soldiers at the LoC. This generation might find it strange, but it’s true. The World Bank lowered its GDP growth forecast. The current account deficit reached an all-time high, the industrial sector was in the grip of recession, and bribery in helicopter purchases was exposed. Today’s students may not be aware of these. All these facts reveal the state of the country at that time.
Today the world is praising policy dynamism
PM Modi said that the world, which was worried about India’s policy paralysis, is now talking about policy dynamism. In just a week, there have been many positive reports about India’s economy. Meanwhile, the Japanese credit rating agency has upgraded India’s rating. The 7.8 percent growth has also come at a time when there is a war going on in West Asia. When there have been trade-related obstacles. Achieving such growth, in itself, shows India’s potential. Those who have been infamous for pushing India into the Fragile Five, are unable to digest these figures.
Then the terrorists were unbridled and Pakistan was uncontrollable.
Prime Minister Modi said that at that time, growth was at rock bottom and inflation was sky high. The economy was in shambles. Terrorists were rampant and Pakistan was uncontrollable. There was nothing but despair and frustration. There was a time when the country was facing struggle on every front. And today is the day when those spreading terrorism are defeated. If Pakistan does any nefarious act, the army enters the house and kills them. Peace has increased from Jammu and Kashmir to the North East. The backbone of Maoist terror and Naxalism has been broken.
The Prime Minister again mentioned the Digami Naxals.
PM Modi said, “I recently gave a homeopathic pill from the Red Fort. It was for the mental Naxals. Homeopathy first provokes the disease and then begins its treatment. That’s what I did. As soon as I gave the homeopathic pill for the mental Naxals, all the mental Naxals started coming out.”
India has faced many crises in the last six years but has survived.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi further said, “Remember when you were in school? When the Kedarnath disaster struck in 2013, they were at a loss for what to do. In 2008, there was a horrific terrorist attack in Mumbai. When the then government came under pressure from outside, it didn’t even muster the courage to respond to Pakistan. The last six years have seen many major crises. First came the coronavirus, then the Russia-Ukraine war, then the West Asian crisis. Each time, it was said that India would not survive. Those who are my biggest fans were happy, thinking that now Modi is trapped, now they will crush him. But the blessings of the people of my country are so powerful that all their wishes are being fulfilled.”
Youth have a big responsibility in self-reliant India
Before PM Modi’s speech at the SRCC event, Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi addressed. Prahlad Joshi said that India has the youngest population in the world. That is why Prime Minister Modi says that this is the time, the right time. Today, 99 percent of the mobile phones used in India are manufactured in India. Additionally, these are also exported. India has a huge youth power. Youth have a big responsibility in a self-reliant India. Earlier, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, PM Modi interacted with teachers and said that childhood should not be allowed to die .
