Shri Narendra Modi's speech at the launch of eMPOWER

Published By : Admin | July 4, 2012 | 13:11 IST

Date : 4th July, 2012 Place : Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar

 

On the Nirvan Diwas of Swami Vivekananda, Chief Minister addressed a young audience on July 4 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar and launched eMPOWER campaign for providing quality computer education to the youth of the state. You can view the details on the event here.

 

  • Technology becomes a part of social life as time changes and doesn’t require years to revolutionize the world.
  • The entire world opines Asia will rule the 21st century, but no one knows whether it will be India or China?
  • Well I would say India’s strength lies in its 65% of the population, as it is below 35 years of age.
  • The need of the hour is to provide opportunity to the young and make them realise that the power to carve a better future for the country is vested in them.
  •  A drive to teach English to children has been launched and the number has crossed one lakh.
  • The state government provided broadband connectivity to 18,000 villages.
 

 

 

Greetings to all the dignitaries and young friends gathered here today —July 4! 110 years ago, on the same day, India’s great son Swami Vivekananda left this world for heavenly abode. Swami Vivekananda once said his relationship with his body is very short-lived and passed away at an age of 39 years, leaving the world grieving after his untimely death. Swamiji had once said though he is here for a short time, but he will continue to remain present through his ideas. Several great leaders of India —Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Arvindji expressed that younger generation also looks up to Vivekanandaji for inspiration. On his death anniversary, i.e. July 4th, we start an activity that will transform ideas into reality and the benefits will last for years to come.

Friends! Today’s programme is not just all about launching a new scheme. We have gathered here not just to make computer connections available all across Gujarat, but to make an attempt to connect the present generation with the future generation. Friends! The world has changed and if we defy those changes or don’t accept them, we will be left alone in the race towards achieving development. So not being a part of this race is totally out of question and will push the country into darkness. Friends! We have to vow to make India free from the clutches of backwardness and it becomes all the more important when we are celebrating Swami Vivekanandaji’s 150th anniversary. Every youth of this country dreams of carrying out his responsibility with the best of his efforts. With whatever quality God has endowed us with we shall put in our hard work and come out victorious in that task. This should be every youth’s dream today if s/he wants the nation to progress. We all will have to start afresh and get ready for a new beginning.

There was a time when great men like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and others had given a call for modern education and the society might have thought why the change was needed? But it is only because of those great souls that our society witnessed reforms. Ladies and gentlemen! After a span of 100-150 years, today we have technologies like Information Technology, Life Science, Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology at our disposal. This ascertains one thing i.e. is technology today has become an inevitable part of our lives. Mankind too some an extent has become its slave and thus now it is impossible to imagine life without technology. Simply impossible! So when we say life seems impossible without technology today then why should India’s youth be left behind in making use of the same? How can India’s younger generation be not involved in technical aspects of an activity? It has to have its involvement in technology. Moreover the situation today demands accomplishment of any task in the most simplified way. It is required how to make technology easily available. Once a technology becomes accessible, people automatically learn how to use it. If you conduct a lecture in a classroom on how to use an ATM and withdraw money from it, I am sure students won’t understand the procedure. However, if you take the students to an ATM of a bank and carry out money transaction, I am sure the students will understand the procedure there itself. There are people around for whom mobile might have come as a surprise the first time they saw it, but now almost everyone, even the illiterates, own mobiles and know how to use one. Friends! I am aware of the extent to which technology today is taking over other things in lives. Once I went to a vanbandhu area of Kaprada taluka in Valsad district for inaugurating a chilling centre in a dairy. The area is entirely covered by forest and the chilling unit was built in a small room in the forest. Now as there was no place to conduct a meeting at the centre, the programme was held 3 km away on a school’s ground. Some 30-40 vanbandhu women, who collect milk, were present at the venue. The other programme was held 3 km away. We inaugurated the chilling centre and all the women at the inauguration had come dressed beautifully. While returning from the venue after the function, I saw nearly three-fourth of the women clicking photos from their mobiles. Vanbandhu women of an interior area of Valsad like Kaprada clicked pictures from the mobile phones!!! I got a bit curious and so approached them. I asked, “Ladies, what will you do after clicking these photos from your mobile phones?” They said they will get the photographs transferred to a computer and later get the printouts. A Vanbandhu woman, a mother or a sister, who distributes milk, has never attended school or gone to any college where she could learn what to do with photographs clicked with a mobile. But friends! She knows that the photo she is clicking from a phone can be transferred to a computer and later be collected in the form of a printout from the computer. This is how technology reaches out to people on its own. Technology becomes a part of social life as time changes and doesn’t require years to revolutionize the world around. Friends! If this is the trend being followed across the world, then why should we be left behind in catching up with it and moving ahead with our future plans?

Ladies and gentlemen! Today everyone is talking which nation or state will dominate the 21st century? The entire world opines that Asia will rule the 21st century, but no one knows whether it will be India or China? When competition is going strong between India and China, what are the factors in favour of India? Well I would say India’s strength lies in its 65% of the population, as it is below 35 years of age. Ours is a nation where the present and the future lies in the hands of the country’s youth. The need of the hour is to provide opportunity to the young and make them realise that the power to carve a better future for the country is vested in them. They should leave no stone unturned in shaping their dreams as well. Friends! China undertook a task 10 years back. The country aspired to rule the world in 21st century and so to accomplish the task the government of China thought of training its children in English and thus began an extensive campaign on the same. The government knew that it won’t be known as a world power unless it spreads its wings to other parts of the world too. The government was aware of the fact that power show only in China would not do any good to them. Thus the government worked in this direction accordingly. Friends! Gujarati is a global community. The state government launched a campaign via ‘SCOPE’ and as a result, the employability increased. Today if a person aspires to work in a mall and has studied till VIIth or VIIIth or Xth class, s/he will be hired for minimum salary, but the same person will be given more salary if s/he has undergone SCOPE training. A person trained in SCOPE will be good in soft skills. Friends! I want to say this with pride that during the golden jubilee year of Gujarat, a drive to teach English to children has been launched and the number has crossed one lakh. The drive is still going on.

Friends! We started a scheme called ‘Jyotigram’ to provide 24 hour electric supply to the rural areas of Gujarat. Several people thought that the government provided electricity so that the people in rural areas could enjoy television, but no! Millions of rupees were spent on ‘Jyotigram’ for a reason. After making available electricity to people residing in remote places, computer networks were installed. I would say computer hardware should be provided to schools, panchayats and other academic institutes among other workplaces. Gujarat government’s next target was connectivity. Friends! Most of you belong to rural background. The Government of India had declared in its previous budget that it would conduct a pilot project where 3,000 villages will be provided broadband connectivity. India has six lakh villages and out of those, the Indian Government’s pilot project planned to cover just three thousand villages. Now at this moment, I will say with pride that Gujarat government accomplished the same task four years back and instead of providing connectivity to just 3,000 villages it provided broadband connectivity to 18,000 villages! We provided the rural people modern day infrastructural facilities. Friends! Till yesterday, a bus conductor used to give ticket manually to the passengers. But, time has changed as now he issues ticket using a ticketing machine. All he has to do is press a button. The state has witnessed progress in every walk of life. Today we can see change everywhere. Children of poor families are getting jobs; they are not being exploited anymore; they possess an additional education or vocational certificate along with graduation degree and of all the things, they now earn more than before. The ‘empower’ scheme is a part of the campaign. Friends! The Indian government had thought of providing broadband connectivity to 3,000 villages, a year back. One and a half years have passed since the budget and so, I think an enquiry should be made to see why the beneficiaries have not yet been given what they were promised. The state government passed the budget in March end and today on July 4th we are launching the scheme.

Illiterate people feel embarrassed when in a group sometimes out of compulsion they have to talk about their educational qualification. Similarly, in the coming days if you are not computer literate, you will be considered an illiterate by people around you. I do not wish to see any young man or woman of Gujarat remain illiterate in the eyes of the world. Youngsters should be confident enough to answer any question posed to them. But my question to you all is from where will a poor child receive his education? If he wants to learn and a fraudster charges him Rs1,500 to 2,000 for an academic course, but later goes missing and never returns, what is the child supposed to do in a such situation? The underprivileged kid willing to study just got duped by a cheat. If a girl child or woman wants to learn, where will she go? All these questions forced the state government to come up with a solution. Thus, came into existence, an extensive campaign where people were and are taught at a nominal fee. Friends! What is the scheme like? Is it free for scheduled cast, or scheduled tribe, or OBC or women? What about those who can’t afford it? The answer to all these questions is one has to pay only Rs50! I am sure it increases a person’s worth as a professional in the market as one gets a certificate after completion of the course. 

Friends! Few people might be surprised to know the secret of this scheme. I had told the government officers that the state has provided enough broadband connectivity and installed computers in villages and so now I want to see whether all these facilities are connected with the main stream or not. Thus, I insisted that the registration for this ‘empower’ training programme be done online and I am happy to tell you all that today by 5 pm, 1,04,000 people would have got their online registrations done. The more important is the fact that 84% registrations are from rural areas and 16% from urban areas. This shows that we have hit the aim. The scheme aims at spreading the idea to each house of every village. People in the cities are able to take advantage of the scheme because of the availability of facilities. The enthusiasm shown by 84% people residing in the villages proves that the scheme has been a success. Also, out of 1 lakh registrations received, 66% have been sent by males and 34% by women. Friends! It is indicative of a bright future and the fact that housewives, daughters, mothers and sisters of rural Gujarat have understood the importance of education in life, is indeed great news in itself. The advertisement of the scheme came today in the newspapers, but a mention about the scheme was once made during the budget. The news basically was spread by word of mouth as the state government didn’t launch a big campaign for it, but still we received an overwhelming response.

Ladies and gentlemen! It is certain that success doesn’t come for free and one has to have skills to succeed. We neither belong to affluent families nor did our ancestors leave a hefty amount of money for us. All that we have got is our talent and thus have to earn a livelihood out of this only. Now when we know that this is the only capital we have got, then we should try and increase it by all means. If we are able to boost the proficiency, we will succeed in achieving our goal of life. Friends! At the time when we came to power in 2001, there were only 442 units of technical education colleges in Gujarat. Today the figure has reached to 1700-1800. Also, there were only 11 universities in the state when we came to power. Today, there are 42 universities. For whom we have done all this? All these facilities are for the youth of Gujarat and all those sitting here today. There was a time when parents from a middle class family could never think of sending its children to a diploma or degree engineering college as the family would not have enough resources. What would they do to get the children into a college? They would often tell their children, “We can’t manage for your admission fees so you better pursue BA or B.Com and later look for a job as a clerk”. This way many dreams would come crashing! Friends! In past 10 years, we have built up our technical know-how so much so that in 2001 there were only 23,000 seats for diploma/degree engineering and today we have nearly 1,23,000 seats. The state government offers opportunity to every individual who wants to study. Even a child from a poor family is assured of a secured life. S/he will no longer have to depend upon others for earning a livelihood. Friends! There are children who have to quit their studies in the middle because of unfavorable circumstances at home. Sometimes, because of bad company too, children discontinue their studies. However, later as they realise the importance of education, they then join ITI. These students would then either go onto become a turner or a fitter or a plumber or a welder. Now, after spending considerable period in the profession, the poor fellows feel that this is the end of their dreams and there is nothing else that that they can do in life. Friends! Our government decided that no youth in the state should ever feel that his or her dreams can never be achieved. I will make him dream again and encourage him to start afresh a new life. Well, whatever happened in the past is not going to be repeated as we now assure the youth of the state a better future and friends! To achieve this, the state government has taken a bold step. If a student left studies after class 8th, and later completes two years of ITI, s/he would be given a certificate of class 10th.   Similarly, if a student left studies after class 10th and later completes 2 years of ITI, s/he would be considered equivalent to a class 12th pass-out. Not only this, if s/he wants to go for diploma in engineering based on this, s/he can do so. And from there, if s/he further wants to join degree in engineering, s/he can do that also. Previously this would not be the case with students who left studies in the middle. Friends! I would say that all this has changed and for good.

Friends! I would make a request to all those present in the auditorium today and those pursuing ITI and youngsters sitting in remote education institutes that don’t stop dreaming. Hurdles might come your way and at times you might have to face failures, but in spite of all this, I will always ask you to pursue your dreams till you achieve them. Friends! Our state is committed to providing opportunities to the youngsters so that they are able to realise their dreams and fulfill wishes of their families. I would like to say here one thing that is God has given the same power to you and me. Never let this thought rule your mind that you have been endowed with less power than others. Friends! Dream, and be determined to make your dream come true.

This campaign has been launched from the state budget to coach and ready technical manpower in the state. This will be an added advantage to the state as it will speed up the rate of progress. Recently some 16,000 people were recruited in the Gujarat police, but at a condition that allowed only people with computer knowledge to apply for the post. Friends! I have pleasure in telling that today in Gujarat police there is an entire force of computer literate officials working at constable level. This way, the whole of the department has become technically sound and in coming days if things go on in the same manner, I am sure the state will progress fast! Friends, I have full confidence in the younger generation today and the state wants to move forward with such self-belief and strength. The youth of Gujarat is capable of getting desired results. Friends! Gujarat’s future looks promising and on this occasion I would say that you all are a party to it. Young Friends, I am always with you in realising your dreams. I am ready to work hard to make you achieve your destination. Our government is ready to walk that extra mile for realizing your aims, provided the youth takes a step ahead and walks with us hand-in-hand! Friends! I was not so fortunate when I was of your age. Nobody guided me and I had nobody to look up to for inspiration. Today the entire government is with you at every step. With this expectation from you all, please repeat after me…

 

Bharat Mata ki jai..!!

Friends! Close your fists and say with full strength.

Bharat Mata ki jai…!!

Vande Mataram… Vande Mataram… Vande Mataram..!!

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India and Trinidad & Tobago share a relationship rooted in centuries-old bonds: PM Modi in Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago
July 04, 2025
QuoteI am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy and a friendly nation: PM
QuoteFor India, democracy is a way of life: PM
QuoteIndia and Trinidad & Tobago share a relationship rooted in centuries-old bonds: PM
QuoteWe are strengthening the hands of women to build a modern India: PM
QuoteWe see our development as a responsibility towards others; And, our priority will always be the Global South: PM
QuoteThe Global South is rising; They wish to see a new and fairer world order: PM
QuoteMAHASAGAR is India's guiding vision for the Global South: PM

Your Excellency Prime Minister कमला परसाद-बिसेसर जी,
Honourable President of the Senate Mr. वेड मार्क,
Honourable Speaker Mr. जगदेव सिंह,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Members of Parliament,

Namaskar !
सुप्रभात !
Good Morning !

I am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy and a friendly nation.

I bring greetings from 1.4 billion people of India. I also bring warm wishes from the people of Ghana, the country I visited just before arriving here.

I am humbled to be the first Indian Prime Minister to speak to you in this iconic Red House. This historic building has seen the struggles and sacrifices of the people of Trinidad and Tobago for freedom and dignity. Over the past six decades, it has stood strong as you built a just, inclusive, and prosperous democracy.

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Friends,

The people of this great nation have chosen two remarkable women leaders – the President and the Prime Minister. They proudly call themselves daughters of the Indian diaspora. They take pride in their Indian heritage. In India, we admire their leadership, grit, and determination. They are living symbols of the relationship between our countries, built on shared roots and shared dreams.

Distinguished Members,

Both our nations rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our own stories —with courage as our ink and democracy as our pen.

Today, both our nations stand as proud democracies, and pillars of strength in the modern world. A couple of months ago, you celebrated the festival of democracy by participating in elections. I congratulate the people of this country for their wisdom and vision – for peace, stability and prosperity. I also congratulate the newly elected members of this august House.

I extend special greetings to Prime Minister Kamla ji for forming the government once again. And, I wish her continued success as she leads this great nation towards sustained growth and prosperity.

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Friends,

When I look at the golden words inscribed on the Speaker's Chair :

"FROM THE PEOPLE OF INDIA TO THE PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO",

I feel a deep sense of emotion. That chair is not just a piece of furniture but a powerful symbol of the friendship and trust between our two nations. The words expresses the bond that one democracy feels for another.

आप सभी जानते हैं…
भारतीयों के लिए डेमोक्रेसी सिर्फ एक पॉलिटिकल मॉडल भर नहीं है।
हमारे लिए, ये way of life है…
हमारी हज़ारों वर्षों की महान विरासत है।
इस संसद में भी कई साथी ऐसे हैं...जिनके पूर्वज बिहार से हैं...
वो बिहार जो महाजनपदों यानि ancient republics की भूमि है।

In India, democracy is not just a political system. For us, it is a way of life. Your Parliament also has some members, whose forefathers were from the Indian state of Bihar, which is famous for centres like Vaishali.

Friends,

There is a natural warmth in the connection between our two countries. I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team! We cheer for them with all our heart, except, when they are playing against India.

Relationship between our two countries is built on the foundations of centuries-old bonds. 180 years ago, the first Indians arrived on this land after a long and hard journey. Oceans away, the Indian beats blended beautifully with the Caribbean rhythm.

Here, Bhojpuri found harmony with creole.

Dal Puri met Doubles,

And, tabla met the steel pan!

Today, the people of Indian origin are proud bearers of the Red, Black and White Flag !

From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce, calypso to chutney, they contribute to every field. They are an integral part of the vibrant diversity that you all respect. Together, you have built a nation that lives its motto, "Together we aspire, together we achieve”.

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Friends,

Earlier today, Her Excellency the President graciously conferred upon me this country’s highest national award. I accepted it with humility on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians.

Now, with immense gratitude, I dedicate it to the enduring friendship and the ancestral ties between our two nations.

Friends,

I am delighted to see so many women Members in this House. Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture. One of our important holy texts, the स्कन्द-पुराण says:

दशपुत्र समा कन्या दशपुत्रान् प्रवर्धयन् |
यत् फलं लभते मर्त्यः तत् लभ्यं कन्या एकया ||

It means, one daughter brings as much happiness as 10 sons. We are strengthening the hands of women to build a modern India.

From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces, they are leading India to a new future in various domains. Like you, we have a woman, who rose from humble beginnings to become our President.

Two years ago, the Indian Parliament took a historic step. We decided to ensure a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies. This ensures that in the coming generations, more and more women will decide the destiny and direction of the nation.

Women leaders are also thriving at the grassroots in India. Around 1.5 million elected women power local governance institutions. We are in an era of women-led development. This was also one of the important themes that we furthered during our G20 presidency.

हम भारत में वीमेन लेड डवलपमेंट का एक नया मॉडल विकसित कर रहे हैं।अपनी G-20 प्रेसीडेंसी के दौरान भी इस मॉडल की सफलता को हमने पूरी दुनिया के सामने रखा है।

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Distinguished Members,

Today, India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. Every sector, every region and every society is part of this growth story.

India’s growth is inclusive and people-centric. A recent report of the International Labour Organisation notes that India’s social security and welfare umbrella covers 950 million people. That is almost 1 billion people, which is a greater population than most countries in the world!

Our vision for such inclusive growth does not stop at our borders. We see our development also as a responsibility towards others. And, our priority will always be the Global South.

With the same spirit, we are deepening our relations with Trinidad and Tobago. Our trade will continue to grow. We will encourage our businesses to invest more in this country. Our development partnership will expand. Training, capacity building, and skill development will keep human development at its centre. Health has been and will remain a key part of our partnership.

Many Indian doctors and healthcare workers have been serving here with distinction. We are glad that you have decided to recognize Indian medical standards. This will ensure access to high-quality, affordable medicines for all.

We also welcome your decision to adopt the UPI digital payment system. It is a major step forward. UPI has revolutionised digital payments in India.

Powered by this platform, India has become the nation with the highest number of real time digital payments in the world. Today, in India, even the mango sellers have QR codes. If you try to pay them in cash, they will ask you to use UPI, because they don’t have the change!

We are also keen to collaborate on other digital innovations. As India develops AI tools to foster growth and development in the Global South, Trinidad and Tobago will be a priority nation for us.

We will share our expertise in agriculture, horticulture and food processing. Machinery from India will support your agro-industry. And, because development is about dignity, we will organise an artificial limb fitment camp for differently-abled citizens here.

For us, there are no limits to our cooperation with you. We will always be guided by your needs and priorities.

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Friends,

Synergy between our nations holds immense promise. As a key player in the Caribbean and a bridge to Latin America, Trinidad and Tobago has great potential. I am sure that our ties will help us forge a stronger connection with the wider region.

Building on the momentum of the second India-CARICOM summit, we are eager to collaborate on initiatives that, enhance trade and investment, build infrastructure and mobility, implement community development projects, and, above all, support capacity building, training and skill development on a large scale.

Friends,

I also see our partnership in a larger global framework. The scale and speed of change in the world is unprecedented. There are fundamental shifts in the nature of politics and power. Free trade is under pressure. There are growing global divisions, disputes and disparities.

The world is faced with challenges of climate change, food, health and energy security. Terrorism remains a pressing threat. Colonial rules of the past may have ended, but their shadows linger in new forms.

There are new challenges in space and cyber security. Artificial Intelligence is unlocking new opportunities as well as risks. The old institutions are struggling to deliver peace and progress.

At the same time, the Global South is rising. They wish to see a new and fairer world order. When the United Nations turned 75, there was great hope across the developing world. A hope that long-pending reforms would be realised. That their voices would finally be heard. But that hope has turned into disappointment. The voice of the developing world remains on the margins. India has always tried to bridge this gap.

For India, MAHASAGAR - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, is the guiding vision for the Global South. Whenever we got the opportunity, we have given voice to the Global South.

During our G-20 presidency, we brought the concerns of the Global South to the centre of global decision-making. During the pandemic, while caring for our 1.4 billion people, India provided vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries. In times of disaster, we have responded swiftly—with aid, relief, and solidarity. Our development partnerships are demand-driven, respectful, and without conditions.

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Distinguished members,

It is time for us to work together, to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right table. To ensure climate justice, so that the burden does not fall on those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. We consider Trinidad and Tobago an important partner in this endeavour.

Friends,

Our two countries may differ in size and geography, but we are deeply aligned in our values. We are proud democracies. We believe in dialogue, sovereignty, multilateralism and human dignity. In these times of conflicts, we must remain true to these values.

Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. This very Red House has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood. We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space. We thank the people and the government of this country for standing with us in our fight against terrorism.

Friends,

Our forefathers struggled, sacrificed, and had dreams of better lives for future generations. Both India and Trinidad and Tobago have come a long way on the journey to the future we have promised our people. But we still have a lot to do - by ourselves and together.

All of you, as Members of the Parliament, have a vital role in shaping that future. From Ayodhya to Arima, From the ghats of Ganga to the Gulf of Paria, may our bonds grow ever deeper, and our dreams ever higher.

With this thought, I thank you, once again, for this honour. As you say here, with grace and pride - "Respect due.”

Thank you. Thank you very much.