Shri Narendra Modi's take on release of the book ‘Convenient Action’.

Published By : Admin | December 21, 2010 | 19:28 IST

Place : Ahmedabad Speech Date : 21-12-2010

  • The underlying spirit is that of a mother-son relationship between human beings and earth.
  • Climate Change need not be fallout of development but can also be due to development deficit.
  • I firmly believe that the present generation should act as trustees of the wealth of nature.
  • I have documented some simple things which we did that resulted in miraculous outcomes.
  • We also need to look at developing special Climate Change models for coastal Gujarat. There is also need to create awareness, educate and inform people.
  • I have named my book ‘Convenient Action'. The purpose is to adapt to and mitigate Climate Change impacts; the convenient action is to achieve that.

 

 

His Excellency, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, IPCC Chairman and Director of TERI, Dr. R.K.Pachauri, Shri. Rajiv Beri and Shri Sanjay Singh from Macmillan Publishers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

At the very outset, I would like to share with you what inspired me to write this book and my development philosophy. I have always believed in the complementary relationship between human beings and nature. This has been sufficiently stressed in our Vedic literature, particularly the Atharva Veda. Even Panchatantra contains stories about the symbiotic relationship in existence.

The sixty-three Suktas of Prithvi Sukta, which you just heard, were composed thousands of years ago. These contain a whole spectrum of knowledge on sustainable development. The underlying spirit is that of a mother-son relationship between human beings and earth. The sustainable use of natural resources has therefore been consistently advocated in all ancient scriptures.

My views were also inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's concept of trusteeship. He said that wealth belongs to the community and must be used for the welfare of the community. We should apply this concept of trusteeship in the context of Climate Change. There is a saying that the earth is not what we inherited from our ancestors but what we have borrowed from our future generations. I firmly believe that the present generation should act as trustees of the wealth of nature. We should use it in a sustainable way so that it can be enjoyed by future generations also. We should be concerned about future generations. However, at the same time we should also be concerned about the poor and downtrodden who are worst affected by climate shocks and extreme weather conditions.

We cannot sacrifice tomorrow for the sake of today. At the same time, we cannot also sacrifice the today of millions of people for the sake of a better tomorrow. There is a need to strike balance. People don't have potable drinking water. Rural areas do not have regular power supply. Every day the poor face a grinding plight. Hence, the need is to address inter-generational as well as intra-generational equity. Climate Change need not be fallout of development but can also be due to development deficit. Hence, ethics and equity are at the core of the debate on Climate Change. So I feel that the debate has to move from Climate Change to Climate Justice by imparting a moral dimension to this discourse. In whatever I have conceptualized, planned and implemented, Climate Justice has been a guiding light and inspiration.

Climate change is a reality. The global environmental crisis points clearly to the inconvenient truth of our planet at risk. When confronted with inconvenient truth, the very act of seeing the truth should result in appropriate action. Seeing is not only believing, but as J. Krishnamurti says, seeing is also acting. The global environmental truth is upon us and it is time we act.

I have named my book ‘Convenient Action'.

The dictionary meaning of the word ‘convenient' is twofold. One suited to one's comfort and the other to one's purpose. The purpose is to adapt to and mitigate Climate Change impacts; the convenient action is to achieve that. It is not about my comfort or yours but the comfort or the fate of future generations. What is right and what is convenient depends on the purpose and intent. When you think of the future generation and their welfare, even difficult actions become easy and no action can be inconvenient.

So much for philosophy. Now what is the practical action?

A few years ago, I used to read a lot of debates on Climate Change, whether or not it was really happening. I have been aware of such behind-the-screen lobbying by vested interests that normally accompany any such carefully managed campaigns. But even in those days of uncertainty and confusion, I based my developmental policy on the harmonious relationship between man and nature. This helped to choose a path that would empower the poor in a way that would make sustainable use of the bounties of nature.

This book, therefore, is a humble attempt to document the initiatives and innovations we have undertaken during the past few years in Gujarat to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of Climate Change. While adaptation is more in the form of damage control, mitigation has to be an important component of Climate Change. The various projects and efforts undertaken, discussed in this book will show that we have kept constant emphasis on mitigation. Without waiting for nations and policies and regulations we have acted on our own. This has been done using our own resources and limited legal frameworks.

There is a saying that a journey of thousand miles begins with the first step. All of you know that Gujarat is the first state in the country to set up a separate department for Climate Change, perhaps the first provincial government in the entire world to have shown such foresight. Several initiatives were undertaken before and after setting up of the department. I thought it necessary to document it and stakeholders know what has been done here. This book is also an invitation. An invitation to scholars, researcher, scientists and policy makers to visit Gujarat and see what has been done here. It would be heartwarming if our initiatives help others in innovating and improving upon what we had done.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, got a very strong case of action prepared and published in Human Development Report, 2007, for fighting Climate Change. He has made a very timely plea, indeed for governments, institutions and stakeholders the world over. My attempt to prepare this collection of actions taken so far is only an extension of this plea. This book is not just about facts, figures and numbers. What is important is the feeling and thought process behind these. This, I hope will inspire all those concerned. I hope this will also assure everyone that within a democratic framework, despite electoral constraints, things can happen if there is political will.

I am neither an expert on Climate Change, nor a professional writer. I have written what I have felt from the core of my heart. Climate Change and global warming are subjects of huge dimension. The whole world is debating the same. But have these discussions compelled us to act? We can have conferences after conferences. But I think one simple action is better than a million good intentions. My book documents such simple actions. They may be small in the global scale of what needs to be done. Nevertheless, they show a path to a better way of living.

I have documented some simple things which we did that resulted in miraculous outcomes. I am not going to discuss the content of the book in detail. But I will give you just one example of a simple thing we did that resulted in transformation of lives. We took steps for conservation of water, addition to ground water resources and stopping reckless exploitation of ground water. We used surface water, made it potable and made it available to the water scarce areas. This improved health in rural areas and also stopped the disgrace of running after water tankers. Money and fuel were saved. We constructed check dams, ket talvadis, boribunds, water conservation structures to raise the level of water table. We encouraged drip irrigation, micro irrigation and interconnecting rivers. There is no rocket science involved here. Anybody could have done it. The question is why nobody did it.

The bottom line is that these are not mere government-driven projects. Public participation and people's ownership are the cornerstones. This is what I tried to convey from my experience. Clean and green Gujarat is part of the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. Millions of men and women, young and old, took golden vows to protect the environment and to create a clean and green Gujarat. When people join hands, initiatives benefit all.

Climate discussion has become an integral part of International debate. It is discussed in gatherings of developed and developing countries- G8 meetings, Davos Economic forum and many other forums. But no overall consensus is emerging for reduction in emission. Copenhagen, despite all pomp and show, failed to become Hopenhagen. And Cancun very recently also fell short of expectations. Given the constraints of politics, internationally binding outcomes may get delayed. But time is fast running out. With each passing day, month, year and decade, the ecological debt of future generations is increasing. In such a complex situation, regions and states in democracies have significant role to play. I, in fact, wrote twice to the Prime Minister on need for consulting state governments. Gujarat model could well serve as an example to decision makers across all political spectrums in the World.

Many things have been done here, both big and small. I know much remains to be done. This book is not to claim that everything has been done but is an invitation to people and experts to tell us what more could be done or how things can be done in a better way. There is much to be done in terms of developing special carbon budgeting for growing cities and changing urban life styles. We also need to look at developing special Climate Change models for coastal Gujarat. There is also need to create awareness, educate and inform people. For this we welcome any help, technical and financial cooperation from individuals and institutions.

Former Vice- President of America, Al Gore was right when he commented a few years ago that it was inconvenient for many leaders to hear, face and accept the naked truth of global warming. But the real test of leadership is in accepting this truth and in devising and implementing a strategy that results in what I call “decisive, appropriate, timely and Convenient Action”. Therefore, I urge everyone not to let this ecological debt be transferred to the future generation, and keep Climate Justice in mind in all our actions. Environmental concerns are not new. It has been said that every generation has its great work. It is for the present generation to act decisively and protect Mother Nature. May this book help the coming generations to find a better World to live!

I am deeply indebted to His Excellency, Dr. Kalam, and Dr. Pachauri to have graced the occasion today. I am also thankful to my publisher, Macmillan publishers, for the high quality printing and for the organization of this event. My special thanks to Mr. Steve Howard, CEO, The Climate Group, UK, for writing the foreword to my book and for his kind words of appreciation. I thank all other guests who have assembled here to appreciate the importance of this subject. I also thank the people of Gujarat who have participated in this journey to respond to the challenges of Climate Change.

Jai Hind ! Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat !!

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Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

It is my great privilege to be here on the country’s border, near Sir Creek, in the land of Kutch, alongside the nation’s armed forces and the Border Security Force, to celebrate Deepawali with you. My heartiest wishes to each one of you on this Deepawali!

Celebrating Deepawali with you amplifies the joy of the festival for me, and this year, it is especially significant. Each Deepawali has its own meaning, yet this one holds a unique place: Lord Ram is now enshrined in his grand temple in Ayodhya after 500 years. I extend my heartfelt Deepawali wishes to you all and to every soldier dedicated to the service of Maa Bharati. My greetings also carry with them the gratitude of 140 crore countrymen who recognize and appreciate your service.

Friends,

The opportunity to serve the motherland is indeed a rare fortune. This service is by no means easy; it reflects the devotion of those who hold the motherland as their everything. It is the sacrifice and dedication of Maa Bharati's (India’s) brave sons and daughters. Be it the freezing temperatures and glaciers of the Himalayas, the biting cold nights, the scorching desert heat, the burning sun, the dusty sandstorms, the challenges of marshlands, or the turbulent sea—this devotion forges our soldiers like steel, and it instills fear in the hearts of enemies. When enemies look at you, they realize that no one can defeat those who remain unshaken even in the face of such severe conditions. Your unwavering determination, boundless courage, and supreme bravery serve as a symbol of security and peace for our country. To the world, you represent Bharat's might, and to our enemies, you embody the destruction of their sinister schemes. When you roar with enthusiasm, the forces of terror are struck with fear. This is the bravery of our army, our armed forces. I take pride in the fact that our soldiers have demonstrated their prowess in every challenging situation.

Friends,

Standing here in Kutch, it is fitting to acknowledge our Navy as well. The coastline of Gujarat is a formidable asset to the nation, making this maritime border a focal point of anti-India conspiracies. Sir Creek, a symbol of Bharat's sovereignty, lies here in Kutch. In the past, there have been attempts to turn this area into a battleground. The nation knows all too well how the enemy’s malicious gaze has long been fixed on Sir Creek. But our country rests assured, knowing that you stand guard. Our adversaries remember well the resolute response you gave in the 1971 war, and so, with our Navy present, no one dares cast a covetous eye on Sir Creek and Kutch.

Friends,

Today, our nation has a government that refuses to compromise even an inch of our border. There was a time when, under the guise of diplomacy, deceptive policies aimed to capture Sir Creek. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, I raised the voice of our country, and this is not my first visit to this region. I know this area well; I have been here many times and travelled extensively. Now, as we hold responsibility, our policies align with the vision of our forces. We do not place our trust in the promises of our enemies but in the resolve of our forces.

Friends,

In keeping with the needs of the 21st century, we are equipping our armed forces with modern resources. We are bringing our military into the ranks of the world’s most advanced forces. The foundation of these efforts is a self-reliant Bharat in the defence sector. Recently, the C295 factory was inaugurated here in Vadodara, Gujarat. Today, we have 'Made in India' assets like the Vikrant aircraft carrier, and we are producing our own submarines. Our Tejas fighter jets are strengthening the Air Force, and work has begun on developing a 5th Generation Fighter aircraft. Bharat, once seen as a country dependent on arms imports, is now exporting defence equipment to nations across the globe. In the last 10 years, our defence exports have increased thirty-fold.

Friends,

The cooperation of our armed forces is crucial in realising the government’s vision. Our security forces play an essential role, and I congratulate them for creating a list of over 5,000 military items they will no longer import. This decision has given new momentum to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in the defence sector.

Friends,

Today, as we talk about new-age warfare, drone technology has become a pivotal asset. We see how extensively drone technology is being used in ongoing conflicts. Drones now serve in surveillance, intelligence gathering, and identifying individuals or locations. They are aiding in the transport of supplies and being deployed as weapons. Additionally, drones are posing new challenges for traditional air defences. Recognising this, Bharat is strengthening its armed forces with drone technology. The government is acquiring Predator drones for the three forces, and strategies for drone deployment are being crafted. I am pleased to see that numerous Indian companies are developing fully indigenous drones, with many startups entering this sector.

Friends,

Today, the nature of warfare is evolving, and new security challenges are emerging. Future conflicts will be more complex, so it is crucial that the capabilities of our three armed forces and security forces are integrated. For our three forces in particular, this integration will significantly enhance their operational efficiency. I sometimes say that while we see one army, one air force, and one navy, when they conduct joint exercises, they don’t appear as separate entities but as a unified force. With this modernisation vision, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was appointed, playing a major role in strengthening our armed forces. Now, we are progressing towards the Integrated Theatre Command. A structured mechanism for this command has been prepared, which will lead to enhanced coordination across the three wings of the military.

Friends,

Our motto is *Nation First, Nation First*. The nation begins at its borders, so developing border infrastructure is one of our top priorities. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed over 80,000 kilometres of roads, including strategically significant ones in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. In the past decade, BRO has built around 400 major bridges. You are aware of the importance of tunnels for all-weather connectivity in remote areas for our armed forces. Consequently, in the last 10 years, several crucial tunnels like the Atal and Sela tunnels have been completed. BRO is accelerating its work on tunnels across various parts of the country.

Friends,

We have also shifted the perspective of seeing border villages as “the last villages.” Today, we call them the first villages of the country. Under the Vibrant Village scheme, these first villages are being developed as vibrant communities on the border where one can witness the first glimpse of a vibrant India. Our nation is fortunate, as many of our border areas have unique natural treasures, offering immense potential for tourism. We must nurture and enhance this potential. Through this, the lives of those living in these villages will improve, and new opportunities will arise. We are seeing this transformation through the Vibrant Village campaign. In remote villages near your area, previously called the “last villages” but now recognized as the first, industries like the seaweed business are thriving before your eyes. A significant new economic sector is emerging. We are also investing heavily in mangrove conservation here, a promising step for our environment. The mangrove forests being developed here will attract tourists, and, much like the way Dhordo’s 'Rann Utsav' has captivated the nation and the world, this area is poised to become a paradise for tourists soon. It will unfold right before your eyes.

Friends,

To support this vision, our government ministers are visiting the Vibrant Villages along the border, staying in these villages and spending much of their time there. This has increased interest and curiosity about these areas among the people of our country.

Friends,

There is another aspect of national security that is rarely discussed—border tourism. Kutch holds immense potential for this, with its rich heritage, captivating sites of faith, and the splendid gifts of nature. The mangrove forests of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat are especially significant, housing a complete ecosystem of marine life and coastal flora. The government has taken substantial steps to expand these mangrove forests and is working rapidly on the MISHTI Yojana launched last year.

Friends,

Our Dholavira, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolises the strength of our nation for thousands of years. The remains of the Indus Valley Civilisation in Dholavira show us the meticulous planning of that city thousands of years ago. Just a short distance from the sea, trading centres like Lothal once played a major role in Bharat's prosperity. The footprints of Guru Nanak Dev Ji are present in Lakhpat. There is the Koteshwar Mahadev Temple in Kutch, the temple of Mata Aashapura, the shrine of Lord Dattatreya on Kala Dungar hill, the Rann Utsav, and the fascinating views of Sir Creek. The tourism potential within this single district of Kutch alone is so vast that a week may not be enough for a visitor. We have also witnessed the appeal of border tourism in Nadabet, on the border of North Gujarat. We must turn all these possibilities into reality. When tourists visit such places from different parts of the country, they connect different regions of Bharat with one another. These tourists carry with them the spirit of national unity and embody the essence of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.' They keep this spirit alive when they return to their own communities, laying a solid foundation for our national security. This is why we must elevate Kutch and other border regions to new levels of development. As our border areas develop and new facilities emerge, the experience for soldiers stationed here will also be enhanced.

Friends,

Our nation is a living entity, revered as Maa Bharati. It is due to the sacrifice and dedication of our soldiers that the country is safe today. The safety of our people relies on this, as only a secure nation can progress. As we move rapidly towards our vision of a developed Bharat, you are the protectors of this dream. Today, every citizen is contributing wholeheartedly to the nation’s progress because of the faith they place in you. I am confident that your courage will continue to bolster Bharat’s development. With this belief, I once again wish you all a very happy Diwali!

Thank you very much!

Join me in saying, Bharat Mata ki Jai! Mata ki Jai! Mata ki Jai! Mata ki Jai!

Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!