Strength of 125 crore Indians will bring about change in this nation: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | December 24, 2016 | 16:49 IST
QuoteEven in the midst of struggle, Shivaji Maharaj remained a torchbearer of good governance: PM
QuoteDevelopment is the solution to all problems, it is the way ahead: PM
QuoteThe strength of 125 crore Indians will bring about change in this nation: PM Modi

Gentlemen present on dais and my dear brothers and sisters assembled here.

All you can imagine how happy I am feeling? When Bhartiya Janata Party bestowed upon me the responsibility of elections in 2014, I first of all came at Raigad fort to visit the Samadhi of Chatrapati Shivaji, a braveheart and great warrior who wrote a new chapter in the history of Hindustan out of his efficiency and capability amidst prevailing dangers while leading a struggling life. Probably it is near impossible to have such person in the world history who strengthened and furthered the heritage of good governance in the heat of continual combats. The historians and stage performers/ artists have penned and posed Chatrapati Shivaji as a horse rider with a sword and we also see that way. Chatrapati Shivaji was a multi-faceted personality. Evaluating deeds of personalities on the basis of their one act like Lord Ramchandraji by killing Ravana; defeat of Kansa by Shri Krishna and expulsion of Britisher’s by Mahatma Gandhi is not a good approach and we have to accept that doing so may be taken as a flawed approach. The Ravana killing at the hand of Lord Ram was one incident in his life span while there so many instances from his life that still affect and inspire Indian life. Kansa was also not one incident in the life of Shri Krishna. The message of Gita in the battle ground- its amazing. What kind of soil this nation have that gives birth to such souls who creates a stream of thoughts that are still a source of inspirations for thousands of years i.e. Gita. Mahatma Gandhi struggled against Britisher’s for our independence. Alongside he opened another front against social evils, tried to awaken masses and boost their self-pride. We can never under estimate that. Likewise Chatrapati Shivaji is also not confined to horse, sword, war and victory. He was a dashing warrior and great personality and are our inspiration. But you just imagine, just as Ram ji made small army from common persons and Vaaners, took them with him, fought and won war. What a capacity of building organisation? Chatrapati Shivaji also accumulated laymen, farmers, trained them for war in a very similar way.

For Engineering students of today, the basics of water management and water infrastructure for supply of water in scarcity prone areas, the system developed by Shivaji Maharaj is a model and source of inspiration. Shivaji had an offer of getting his currency minted by foreigners. But he had a vision so he declined this offer and said if minting currency comes under ones control, no time will be left for a defeat of any ruler. So he built this infrastructure indigenously and never allowed foreign help.

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Naval security has become a big global issue today. The entire world is on alert for naval security. Everyone across the world is worried about his rights and commercial connections. But centuries ago one warrior from this soil knew the importance of naval power, so he established navy. Today all the costal forts we are seeing have provisions for naval security requirements. Wherever in the world there are old and ancient systems prevailing, Iconic artefacts are a great attractions for tourism. In India Taj Mahal is also a cause for tourism as anyone in the world who listen about it start thinking to visit it for a while. Such Iconic Symbols made in the bygone past are now an identity of a particular nation. In many nations stay at fort for tourism is a well-established infrastructure. India also is a hub of numerous forts spread across the country that were built by kings of their times. They have specific built ups with security features and architecture. The resources used then had also specifications. But, unfortunately we could not come out of Taj Mahal. Every nook and corner of this country has a number of tourist attractions. Proper and correct presentation of India before the world can have full potential for attracting tourists. Tourism is the area which is marching ahead of all now in the world. Tourism is now a Trillion Dollar Trade. India being a country of ancient practices can attract the world. So we should showcase the forts built by Chatrapati Shivaji after their proper conservation. Universities in India should be advised to start Adventure Tourism and start excursion by horse riding. I will ask ASI department to start this from Forts of Chatrapati Shivaji and an environment for fort tourism be developed in the country accordingly. Brothers and sister today I am grateful to the people of Maharashtra for giving me an opportunity to usher in the religious rites of doing the Bhoomi and Jala Pujan for the forthcoming Shiv Memorial. Such moment fills you with the feeling of fullness. I am sure this conception of Maharashrta’s Fadanavis government will take shape finally. The country will feel proud after its commissioning and will tell the world that look now the highest Iconic Building is ours. This belongs to that great personality who put his life at stake for the betterment of common man. Today I have a moment to pay my homage to such Chatrapati Maharaj.

Brothers and Sisters our country has experienced varied politics. Diverse methodologies were tried upon. However the 70 year experience make us concede that had one and only way of development was treaded from the start, the problems coming across now may not have got firm grounds in our soil.

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The only remedy is development. It has immense potential of jobs for young population. Development has power of giving poor their due. For a long race the middle income group have opportunities in it. Development is the only way for leading a respectful life. So brother and sisters we have focussed on development after you gave us responsibility. On this point we have definite approach that it should be sustainable. It should be a game changer in life empowering and enabling to have their wishes fulfilled. So welfare of poor is our focal point. Soon after assuming office, one report that we got was surprising. Persons retiring from small scale state owned industrial units were getting pension ranging from Rs.7 to Rs. 51. Someone were getting Rs. 80. No one getting around Rs. 150. Now for getting a pension of Rs. 7 why one 80 year old person will go to post office on a hired Auto? So we decided that despite burden on exchequer retired person should get a minimum of Rs. 1000. 35 lakh persons is not a small number and a big financial constraint of hundreds of crore rupee on government coffers we took a major step for the betterment of life of these old persons. Medicines are getting costlier so we pushed for Generic Medicines and opened up Jana Aushadhalays (Public dispensaries) so that the poor person could get cheaper and standard medicines on time and they are not exploited. In order to make smokeless kitchens which were using firewood and endangering the health of poor women we have decided to give them LPG connections to crores of poor families. Crores of persons now have this and during the coming three years nearly 5 crore BPL families will own such connections. Our freedom is now 70 years old, there are 18000 villages still forced to live in 18th century. No electricity, not even a pole of electric wires. Can history forgive them those who have ruined these 70 years that these villagers were forced to reside in darkness. We have vowed to electrify these villages in 1000 days. Half work is over. The target will be achieved in stipulated period.

Brothers and sisters who says country can not change? Having faith in the joint power of my 125 crore fellow citizens I can say yes from my three year experience and it will happen. You can imagine that the projects launched from this dais are worth more than One lakh six thousand crore rupees. This will be a very big historical event from Mumbai.

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Friends being in Mumbai today I want to bow to the people of Maharashtra. Now a days it has become a fashion to ask for documentary proofs for the good you have delivered. Can winning elections is a proof for your good work. Losing election is taken as your bad decision. We have started our fight against the corruption and black money from the day we assumed the office. Took a number of steps and launched a big attack in the night of November 8. We gave a clarion call against fake currency, black money and corruption. Friends despite numerous hardships and sufferings my countrymen didn’t deserted me even for a short spell. Though confusions mongers were active, they tried to dissipate and demoralize them. Rumour hub was activated. But to those we narrate illiterate used his common sense. He didn’t yielded and sided with the judgement of building nation. The mandate of Maharshtra people in the last election gave a message that with whom truth prevails and what direction the country desires.

Friends I had said in Goa that those who cherished for 70 years will try their level best to thwart such initiatives. Have left no stone unturned. However they are unable to confront with the resolve of 125 crore people. They can never be a winner and this nation can not be a loser. Friends a country of 125 crore people can never be defeated. Such handful persons can never let down the country. Some were of the view that siding with bank employees will convert every penny of black to white. But side by side the bankers it was you who was trapped. There are numerous cases of getting apprehended in net and things are getting open. They thought approaching bank will bail them out. But the game has begun only after commit to bank. My fellow countrymen, I had said that it will be a fifty day problem. People have braved them for better times. Even they will bear the future hardships also. But, I am sure that after fifty days sufferings of honest peoples will start receding and those who are corrupt and unscrupulous will see the blazing sun. I still want to caution the corrupt ones that be aware, stop your doings and follow the law of the land and come as a common man for a hassle free life. I am inviting you. This government will not ruin you, nor it is bent upon to hang you. But you have to cough up the poor’s due. There is no escape route. If anybody think that old practices are still of use for a safe passage then you are wrong. Now the Government is different and after thirty years there came a government with majority vote. You must know that the people of India has made this government for the eradication of corruption and black money. This government will deliver the same. So brothers and sisters the count down for the devastation of corruption ones has now begun. This is the cleansing operation for the welfare of this country. For the wellbeing of a nation the public life should be clear. The administration should be fair. There must prevail an environment of mutual trust. Nations every decision must have value and it should be upheld. Some people are habitual of resorting to unfair means but millions of people suffer due to such acts. If the corrupt ones and mischievous persons are not afraid of Modi, be it so. They don’t care government let it be but don’t under estimate the anger and mood of 125 lakh people. You must have their fear. Now they are in different posture. They are not ready to cow down injustice. They are not ready to accept unfair practices and corrupt means. They are now the harbingers and out in open for a fight against black money. So brothers and sisters this war is auguring well with your support and cooperation from this Mumbai soil and that too from the Shiv Memorial of Chatrapati Shivaji. Let me assure that we will not stop until victory.

Ones again my salute from core of the to the envisioned Government of Fadanavis ji which is committed to development. Be it for arrangement of water for farmers or Infrastructural development in cities or skill development of youth or the area of education, on every node Maharashtra is marching ahead for acclaiming new horizons. Now raise voice with me –Chatapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai (Three times). Many many thanks.

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India is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world: PM Modi
June 28, 2025
QuoteI extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space: PM
QuoteScience and Spirituality, both are our Nation’s strength: PM
QuoteThe success of Chandrayaan mission and your historic journey renew interest in science among the children and youth of the country: PM
QuoteWe have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station and also land Indian astronauts on the Moon: PM
QuoteYour historic journey is the first chapter of success of India's Gaganyaan mission and will give speed and new vigour to our journey of Viksit Bharat: PM
QuoteIndia is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world: PM

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu Namaskar!

Shubhanshu Shukla: Namaskar!

Prime Minister: Today you are far away from your motherland, from Bharat Bhumi, but you are closest to the hearts of Indians. There is auspiciousness in your name and your journey is also the beginning of a new era. At this time, we two are talking, but the sentiments of 140 crore Indians are also with me. My voice reflects the enthusiasm and excitement of all Indians. I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space. I am not taking much time, so first of all tell me, is everything fine there? Are you feeling well?

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Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji! Thank you very much for your wishes and the wishes of my 140 crore countrymen. I am absolutely fine and safe here. Because of your blessings and love… I am feeling very good. This is a very new experience and somewhere or the other, many such things are happening which show in which direction I and many people like me in our country and our India are moving. This journey of mine, this small journey of 400 kilometers from the earth to the orbit, is not just mine. I feel that somewhere this is also the journey of our country because when I was young, I could never imagine that I could become an astronaut. But I believe that today's India under your leadership provides this opportunity and also gives a chance to realize those dreams. So, this is a great achievement for me and I feel very proud that I am able to represent my country here. Thank you, Prime Minister Ji!

Prime Minister: Shubh, you are out in space, where gravity is next to nothing, but every Indian is seeing how down to earth you are. Did you feed the Gajar ka halwa you carried with you to your friends?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Ministerji! I had brought some food items from my country, like Gajar ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa and Aam Ras and I wanted my other friends, who have come from other countries, to also taste it and experience the rich culinary heritage of India. So, we all sat together and tasted it and everyone liked it very much. Some people asked when they would come down and visit our country and taste it with us…

Prime Minister: Shubh, Parikrama is a centuries old tradition of India. You have got the good fortune of doing Parikrama of Mother Earth. Which part of the Earth will you be passing over right now?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji! I don't have that information right now, but a little while ago I was looking out the window, we were passing over Hawaii, and we orbit 16 times a day. We see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets from orbit and this entire process is very amazing. In this orbit, at this fast speed, we are moving at the speed of about 28000 kilometers per hour

while talking to you and this speed is not known because we are inside, but somewhere this speed definitely shows at what speed our country is progressing.

Prime Minister: Great!

Shubhanshu Shukla: At this moment we have reached here and now we have to go further from here.

Prime Minister: Well, what was the first thought that came to your mind after seeing the vastness of space?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Prime Minister ji, to be honest, when we reached the orbit for the first time, reached space, the first view was of the Earth and the first thought after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely uniform, I mean no boundary line, no border is visible from outside. And the second thing that was very noticeable was when we saw India for the first time, when we study India on the map, we see how big the size of other countries is, what is our size, we see that on the map, but it is not correct because we draw a 3D object in 2D, that is, on paper. India really looks very grand, looks very big. It is much bigger than what we see on the map and the feeling of oneness, the feeling of oneness of the earth, which is also our motto that unity in diversity, its importance is understood in such a way when seen from outside that it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist, finally we all are a part of humanity and the earth is our home and all of us are its citizens.

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, you are the first Indian to go to the space station. You have worked very hard. You have gone through a long training. Now you are in a real situation, you are actually in space, how different are the conditions there? How are you adapting?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Everything is different here Prime Minister Ji, we did training for the last one year, I knew about all the systems, I knew about all the processes, I knew about the experiments. But as soon as I came here, suddenly everything changed, because our body gets so used to living in gravity that everything is decided by it, but after coming here, since gravity is microgravity and is absent, even small things become very difficult. Right now, while talking to you, I have tied my legs, otherwise I would go up and the mike too, these are small things, that is, even if I leave it like this, it keeps floating like this. Drinking water, walking, sleeping is a big challenge, you can sleep on the roof, you can sleep on the walls, you can sleep on the ground.

So, Prime Minister Ji, everything happens, the training is good, but the environment changes, so it takes a day or two to get used to it, but then it becomes fine, then it becomes normal.

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Prime Minister: Shubh, India's strength lies in both science and spirituality. You are on a space journey, but the journey of India must also be going on. India must be running inside you. Do you get the benefit of meditation and mindfulness in that environment?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, I completely agree. I believe that India is already running and this mission is just the first step of that big race and we are definitely moving ahead and we will have our own stations in space and many people will reach there and mindfulness also makes a lot of difference. There are many situations during normal training or even during launch, which are very stressful and with mindfulness you are able to keep yourself calm in those situations and if you keep yourself calm, you are able to take good decisions. It is said that no one can eat while running, so the calmer you remain, the better you will be able to take decisions. So, I think mindfulness plays a very important role in these things, so if both things are practiced together, then in such a challenging environment or challenging atmosphere, I think it will be very useful and will help people adapt very quickly.

Prime Minister: You are doing many experiments in space. Is there any experiment that will benefit the agriculture or health sector in the future?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have designed 7 unique experiments, which I have brought with me to the station and the first experiment that I am going to do, which is scheduled today, is on Stem

Cells. So, what happens on going to space is that because gravity is absent, the load goes away and hence muscle loss occurs. So, my experiment is looking at whether we can stop or delay this muscle loss by giving some supplement. It has a direct implication on Earth too that these supplements can be used on people who suffer muscle loss due to old age. So, I think it can definitely be used there. Along with this, the other experiment is on the growth of microalgae. These microalgae are very small but very nutritious, so if we can see their growth here and invent a process so that we can grow them in large numbers and provide nutrition, then somewhere it will be very useful for food security on earth. The biggest advantage of space is that the process here happens very quickly. So, we do not need to wait for months or years, so the results that we get here can be used by us and…

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, after the success of Chandrayaan, a new interest in science was born among the children and youth of the country, the passion to explore space increased. Now this historic journey of yours is further strengthening that resolve. Today children do not just look at the sky, they think, I too can reach there. This thinking, this feeling is the real foundation of our future space missions. What message would you give to the young generation of India?

Shubhanshu Shukla: Prime Minister Ji, if I want to give a message to our young generation today, then first of all I will tell you that in the direction in which India is moving, we have seen very bold and very high dreams and to fulfil those dreams, we need all of you, so to fulfil that need, I would say that there is no one path to success that sometimes you take one path, sometimes someone takes the other path, but one thing that is common in every path is that you should never give up trying, Never Stop Trying. If you adopt this basic mantra that no matter what path you are on, where you are, but you will never give up, then success may come today or tomorrow, but it will definitely come.

Prime Minister: I am sure that the youth of the country will like these words of yours and you know me very well. Whenever I talk to anyone, I always give them homework. We have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station, and also have to land Indian astronauts on the moon. Your experiences will be very useful in all these missions. I am sure you must be recording your experiences there.

Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, absolutely, while undergoing the training and experiencing this entire mission, the lessons that I have received, the learnings that I have gained, I am absorbing them all like a sponge and I am sure that all these things will prove to be very valuable, very important for us when I come back and we will be able to apply these lessons effectively in our missions and complete them as quickly as possible. Because my friends who had come with me, somewhere they also asked me when we can go on Gaganyaan, which I felt very happy to hear and I said that soon. So, I think that this dream will be fulfilled very soon and the lessons that I am learning here; after coming back, I will try to apply them 100% in my mission and complete it as soon as possible.

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, I am sure that this message of yours will inspire and when we met before you left, I also got the opportunity to meet your family members and I saw that all your family members are equally emotional and full of enthusiasm. Shubhanshu, today I really enjoyed talking to you. I know you have a lot of work and you have to work at a speed of 28000 kilometers, so I will not take much of your time. Today I can say with confidence that this is the first chapter of the success of India's Gaganyaan mission. This historic journey of yours is not just limited to space, it will give speed and new strength to our journey towards developed India. India is going to open the doors of new possibilities of space for the world. Now India will not just fly, it will prepare the platform for new flights in future. I want to hear something more in your mind because I do not want to ask a question. If you express the feelings that are in your mind, the countrymen will listen, the young generation of the country will listen, then I myself am very eager to hear some more things from you.

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Shubhanshu Shukla: Thank you, Prime Minister Ji! This entire journey of coming to space and training here and reaching here, I have learnt a lot in this, Prime Minister Ji, but after reaching

here, it is a personal accomplishment for me, but somewhere I feel that this is a very big collective achievement for our country. And I want to give a message to every child who is watching this, to every youth who is watching this and that is that if you try and you make your future well, then your future will be good and the future of our country will be good and keep only one thing in your mind, that sky has never the limits, neither for you, nor for me, nor for India and if you always keep this thing in your mind, then you will move ahead, you will illuminate your future and you will illuminate the future of our country and this is my message, Prime Minister and I am very, very emotional and very happy that I got the opportunity to talk to you today and through you to talk to 140 crore countrymen, who are able to see, this tricolor that you are seeing behind me, it was not here, before yesterday when I came here, then we have hoisted it here for the first time. So, this makes me very emotional and I feel very good to see that India has reached the International Space Station today.

Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, I wish you and all your colleagues the very best for the success of your mission. Shubhanshu, we are all waiting for your return. Take care of yourself, keep raising the respect of Maa Bharati. Many many best wishes, best wishes of 140 crore countrymen and I thank you very much for working so hard and reaching this height. Bharat Mata ki Jai!

Shubhanshu Shukla: Thank you, Prime Minister, thank you and thank you to all 140 crore countrymen and Bharat Mata Ki Jai for everyone from space!