When a handful of salt shook an Empire!

Published By : Admin | March 12, 2019 | 07:24 IST

Today, 89 years ago, Bapu embarked on the iconic Dandi March. Though aimed at protesting unfair Salt Laws, Dandi March shook the foundations of colonial rule and became a strong symbol of fighting injustice and inequality.

 

Did you know who had a key role in the planning of the Dandi March?

The great Sardar Patel.

The organisational man that he was, Sardar Patel planned every minute aspect of the Dandi March, down to the last detail. And, the British were so scared of Sardar Sahib that they arrested him a few days before the launch of Dandi March hoping it would scare Gandhi Ji. However, none of that happened. The larger cause of fighting colonialism prevailed over everything else!

Last month I was in Dandi, at the exact spot where Bapu lifted a handful of salt. A state-of-the-art museum has also come up there, which I urge you all to go see.

Gandhi Ji taught us to think of the plight of the poorest person we have seen and think about how our work impacts that person. I am proud to say that in all aspects of our Government’s work, the guiding consideration is to see how it will alleviate poverty and bring prosperity.

Sadly, the anti-thesis of Gandhian thought is the Congress culture.

Bapu said, “...through realisation of freedom of India I hope to realise and carry on the mission of brotherhood of man.” In many of his works, Gandhi Ji said that he does not believe in inequality and caste divisions. Sadly, the Congress has never hesitated from dividing society. The worst caste riots and anti-Dalit massacres happened under Congress rule.

Bapu said in 1947, “It is the duty of all leading men, whatever their persuasion or party, to safeguard the dignity of India. That dignity can’t be saved if misgovernment and corruption flourish. Misgovernment and corruption always go together.” We have done everything to punish the corrupt. But, the nation has seen how Congress and corruption have become synonyms. Name the sector and there will be a Congress scam- from defence, telecom, irrigation, sporting events to agriculture, rural development and more.

Bapu spoke about detachment and staying away from excess wealth. However, all that Congress has done is to fill their own bank accounts and lead luxurious lifestyles at the cost of providing basic necessities to the poor.

While interacting with a group of women workers, Bapu said, “I have been receiving complaints that some so called eminent leaders of India are making money through their sons, that nepotism is on the increase as also is corruption and that I should do something about it. If it is true all one can say is that we have reached the limit of our misfortune.” Bapu despised dynastic politics but the ‘Dynasty First’ is the way for the Congress today.

A firm believer in democracy, Bapu said, “I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong.” Ironically, the Congress gave the nation the Emergency, when our democratic spirit was trampled over. The Congress misused Article 356 several times. If they did not like a leader, that Government was dismissed. Always eager to promote dynastic culture, Congress has no regard for democratic values.

Gandhi Ji had understood the Congress culture very well, which is why he wanted the Congress disbanded, especially after 1947.

He lamented, “I am sorry to have to say that many Congressmen have looked upon this item (Swaraj) as a mere political necessity and not as something indispensable.” He also added that Congress leaders are only busy making communal adjustments. In 1937 itself he said, “I would go to the length of giving the whole congress a decent burial, rather than put up with the corruption that is rampant.”

Thankfully, today we have a Government at the Centre that is working on Bapu’s path and a Jan Shakti that is fulfilling his dream of freeing India from the Congress Culture!

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10 years of 'Make in India'
September 25, 2024

‘Make in India’ initiative turns 10 today!

Today is an occasion to salute each and every one of you who has made this initiative a roaring success. Each of you is a pioneer, visionary and innovator, whose tireless efforts have fuelled the success of ‘Make in India’ and thereby made our nation the focus of global attention as well as curiosity. It is the collective drive, relentless in nature, which has transformed a dream into a powerful movement.

The impact of ‘Make in India’ shows that Bharat is unstoppable.

This was an effort that began ten years ago with an ambitious aim - to increase India’s strides in manufacturing, to ensure that a talented nation as ours is not merely an importer but an exporter as well.

Reflecting on this past decade, I cannot but be filled with a sense of pride in how far the strength and skills of 140 crore Indians have got us. The imprint of ‘Make in India’ has become visible across sectors, including areas where we never even dreamt of making an impact.

Let me give an example or two.

Mobile manufacturing…we know how important smartphones have now become, but what is startling is that in 2014, we had only two mobile manufacturing units in the entire country. Today, that number has risen to over 200. Our mobile exports have skyrocketed from a mere ₹1,556 crore to an astounding ₹1.2 lakh crore – a mind-boggling 7500% increase! Today, 99% of smartphones used in India are Made in India. We've become the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally.

Look at our steel industry – we have become a net exporter of finished steel, with production increasing by over 50% since 2014.

Our semiconductor manufacturing sector has attracted investments worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore, with five plants approved that will have a combined capacity of more than 7 crore chips per day!

In renewable energy, we are the 4th largest producer globally, with capacity increasing by 400% in just a decade. Our electric vehicle industry, practically non-existent in 2014, is now worth $3 billion.

Defence production exports have soared from ₹1,000 crores to ₹21,000 crore, reaching over 85 nations.

During one of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programmes, I had spoken about the need to have a vibrant toys industry and our people showed how that is done! Over the years, we have seen exports increase by 239%, with imports halved, particularly benefiting our local manufacturers and sellers, not to mention the little children as well! :)

Many of the icons of today’s India – our Vande Bharat trains, BrahMos missiles, and the smartphones in our hands – all proudly bear the Make in India label. From electronics to the space sector, it represents Indian ingenuity and quality.

Make in India initiative is also special because it has given the poor the wings to dream big and aspire- it has given them the confidence that they can be wealth creators. Equally notable is the impact on the MSME sector.

As a Government, we are committed to making this spirit even stronger. Our decade long track record speaks for itself. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have been game changers, enabling investments of thousands of crores and generating lakhs of jobs. We have also made significant strides in ease of doing business.

There is a lot going in India’s favour today- we are the perfect blend of democracy, demography and demand. We have what it takes to be a key player in the global supply chain, seen as a reliable partner for business. We also have the most phenomenal Yuva Shakti, whose success in the StartUp world is for everyone to see.

Thus, the momentum is clearly in India's favour. Despite facing unprecedented challenges like the global pandemic, India has remained firmly on the growth track. Today, we are being seen as drivers of global growth. I call upon my young friends to come and join us in taking Make in India to new heights. We all must strive for excellence. Delivering quality should be our commitment. Zero defect should be our mantra.

Together, we can continue to build an India that not only meets its own needs but also serves as a manufacturing and innovation powerhouse for the world.