Ahmedabad: Thursday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said that it requires collective courage and conviction to convert calamities into opportunities. He said the world is discussing Gujarat's post-earthquake experience and achievements about its massive reconstruction and rehabilitation operation with people's participation for a decade now.
Mr. Modi was inaugurating a three-day international conference on “Post Earthquake Reconstruction – Lessons Learnt and Way Forward” at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, being attended by experts from a dozen countries.
He said the state's rare success story, combining its human aspect and social responsibility, has invited global attention and many accolades. The natural calamities demand immediate rescue and relief operation but more than that it provided an opportunity for reconstruction on a much orderly manner afterwards. He invited global experts to see for themselves the Gujarat success story.

The Chief Minister recalled that the Gujarat Government had requested the Governors of different states as the Chancellors of universities in 2005 to send two researchers to study the Gujarat model for larger welfare of the mankind, but it evoked a very lukewarm response.

Referring to the recent tsunami-earthquake in Japan and its aftermath in the form of radiation from the nuclear plants, he said the authorities and the people of Japan too have shown an exemplary sense of duty. Nearer home, he said, flood in Surat was brought under control in 72 hours with people's participation.

Mr. Modi said that Gujarat had set up Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), enacted the relevant Act, prepared a hazards mitigation atlas with the help of satellite space technology, a geostatic database of fighting equipment, insured students against calamity and even introduced disaster management as a syllabus in schools.

The Chief Minister on the occasion released a handbook on flood control in urban areas of Gujarat, prepared by NDMA.

Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural function, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Vice-Chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy said the Japan's tsunami, as well as Katrina and Rita cyclones in America forewarn us for preparedness. He gave outlines of the National Cyclone Mitigation Project being prepared by NDMA. He said that Gujarat too showed exemplary grit and determination for post-quake management as well as creating a public awareness for the same, a model for the world.

Gujarat's Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management and Roads & Buildings Minister Anandiben Patel said the state government has installed modern emergency response centres at major cities and emergency operation centres at district and even taluka towns. Several teams form foreign countries and different states in India have already visited GSDMA to study its activities. She said there is no cure for natural calamites but to be prepared for management.

Welcoming the delegates at the conference, GSDMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) R. Bannerji said the earthquake in Kutch on January 26, 2001 was disastrous, but it helped Gujarat prepare against such devastating disasters on a war footing. He praised Chief Minister Narendra Modi for taking up the task in the right earnest.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Director P.K. Mishra and former Gujarat Chief Secretary Sudhir Mankad. GSDMA Additional CEO V. Thiruppugazh proposed a vote of thanks.

April 14, 2011

Explore More
140 crore Indians have taken a collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi on Independence Day

Popular Speeches

140 crore Indians have taken a collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi on Independence Day
Apple Inc sets up first subsidiary in India for R&D

Media Coverage

Apple Inc sets up first subsidiary in India for R&D
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
PM Modi addresses massive gathering in Akola, Maharashtra
November 09, 2024
Where BJP-Mahayuti is, there is momentum; where there is momentum, Maharashtra progresses: PM
We will not let Maharashtra become an ATM for the Maha-Aghadi's mega scandals: PM Modi in Akola
Congress Party knows that the weaker the country, the stronger Congress will be. That’s why it is their nature to divide people based on caste: PM in Akola
Our goal is an empowered farmer driving the nation’s progress: PM Modi in Akola rally

PM Modi addressed a large public gathering in Akola, Maharashtra, expressing deep gratitude for the people’s steadfast support over the past decade. He opened by highlighting the ambitious infrastructure initiatives launched by his government, including the Vadhavan Port, a nearly 80,000-crore project initiated within the first five months of his government’s third term at Centre.

PM Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to housing for the poor, with three crore new homes in progress, and mentioned about the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, which provides free healthcare to senior citizens over 70. Mentioning about the government’s recent decision of recognising Marathi as a classical language, he emphasized, “The Congress and the opposition kept the people of Maharashtra waiting for decades, delaying the fulfilment of their demands. We have accomplished what they couldn’t. We are honoured to have granted Marathi the status of a classical language.”

The PM then outlined the Mahayuti’s vision for the next five years, as reflected in its manifesto, including enhanced security and opportunities for women through the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, job creation for youth, and fast-track development projects for Maharashtra’s growth. He stated, “Where there is Mahayuti, dreams of proud youth for education and employment will be fulfilled.” He contrasted this with what he called the Maha-Aghadi’s “scam-filled manifesto,” highlighting alleged corruption, rampant bribery, and misuse of funds, with Congress-led states like Karnataka and Telangana as examples, calling them “ATMs” for the Congress “royal family.” He warned Maharashtra to remain vigilant, saying, “We will not let Maharashtra become an ATM for the Maha-Aghadi's mega scandals.”

“Maha-Aghadi means corruption, Maha-Aghadi means scams worth thousands of crores, Maha-Aghadi means extortion of money, Maha-Aghadi means token money, Maha-Aghadi means a business of transfers and postings,” he added.

The PM acknowledged Akola’s key role in cotton production, a backbone of the textile industry, and noted that cotton farmers, long denied adequate benefits, are now seeing positive changes as support for industry and infrastructure grows. In this context, he also spoke about the inauguration of a textile park in Maharashtra, envisioning greater prosperity for cotton farmers. He also criticized past Congress-led governments for their failure to address farmer needs, particularly water issues. Now, the Mahayuti government is revitalizing irrigation projects and has approved a major river-linking initiative to alleviate water scarcity across regions, benefiting districts like Amravati, Akola, and Nagpur. Through the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Maharashtra’s micro-irrigation coverage has expanded, promoting water efficiency. PM Modi affirmed, “Our goal is an empowered farmer driving the nation’s progress.” Initiatives like PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and crop insurance are boosting farmer incomes, with additional support for cotton and soybean farmers.

The PM also criticised the Congress party for its attempts to weaken the country. “Congress Party knows that the weaker the country, the stronger Congress will be. That’s why it is their nature to divide people based on caste. Since independence, Congress has never allowed the SC community to unite. They’ve fragmented the ST community into various castes, and they’ve never let the OBC community develop a unified identity,” he remarked.

In his speech, PM Modi also condemned Congress for its historical disrespect towards Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He noted that, from Nehru’s era to the present day, Congress has repeatedly denied Dr. Ambedkar credit for his contributions to major national projects, like dams and river projects, as well as for his role as India’s first Law Minister. Despite Baba Saheb’s transformative contributions, Congress sidelined him as he belonged to a Dalit family. PM Modi reassured the BJP’s commitment to honouring Ambedkar by establishing Panchteerth memorials at key sites associated with his legacy—Mhow, Nagpur, Mumbai, Delhi, and London—to inspire future generations. He affirmed his stance, “Ek Hain to Safe Hain!”

The PM also reproached Congress’ support for reinstating Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, aligning it with the views of separatists, terrorists, and Pakistan. He warned that restoring Article 370 would reintroduce violence, strip Dalits of constitutional rights, and regress Kashmir by decades. He stated, “Congress is attempting to take away rights from Kashmir’s Dalits and backward communities, while hypocritically seeking votes from Dalits in Maharashtra.”

PM Modi urged the audience to “Choose development, choose peace, and choose security” and called on them to help realize the vision of a Viksit Maharashtra and a Viksit Bharat.