Prime Minister: So, have you received the house?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir, I have. We are immensely grateful to you. You have given us a palace after lifting us out of a hut. We could never have imagined something so grand, but you’ve turned our dream into reality... Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: Well, I am glad that you all have got these houses. It's not mine.

Beneficiary: No, sir, we are your family.

Prime Minister: Yes, that is true.

Beneficiary: You made this possible.

Prime Minister: So we did it, didn't we?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir. May your flag continue to wave high, and may you keep winning.

Prime Minister: It’s up to you all to help us keep our flag fluttering high.

Beneficiary: Just keep your hand upon our heads, sir.

Prime Minister: The hands of my mothers and sisters should rest upon my head.

Beneficiary: We waited for Lord Shri Ram for so many years, and in the same way, we waited for you. We are here from the slums to this building, and nothing could bring us more joy. It is our good fortune to have you so close to us.

Prime Minister: Others must also believe that together, we can achieve so much in this country.

Beneficiary: That is absolutely true.

Prime Minister: If you are determined, you can achieve anything. You see, these days, some people think, "I was born in a slum; what can I possibly achieve in life?" But you have seen it yourself, and the children will see it too – the ones who are excelling in sports and earning recognition globally often come from such humble backgrounds. Most of them belong to small, underprivileged families.

Prime Minister: So, what will you do in your new house?

Beneficiary: Sir, I will study.

Prime Minister: So, you will study!

Beneficiary: Yes.

Prime Minister: So, you didn’t use to study before?

Beneficiary: No, sir. But after moving here, I will study better.

Prime Minister: Really? So, what’s on your mind? What do you aspire to be?

Beneficiary: Madam.

Prime Minister: You want to become "madam"? That means you want to become a teacher.

Prime Minister: And you?

Beneficiary: I will become a soldier.

Prime Minister: A soldier?

Beneficiary: Yes. हम भारत के वीर जवान ऊंची रहे हमारे शान हमको प्यारा हिंदुस्तान, गाए देश प्रेम के गान हमें तिरंगे पर अनुमान अमर जवान, इस पर तन-मन-धन कुर्बान।

(We are the brave soldiers of India. May our pride always remain high! We love our country. We sing songs of patriotism for the tricolour, and we honour the immortal spirit of a soldier. We are ready to sacrifice our body, mind, and wealth for it).

Prime Minister: So, do you have all your friends here? Will you miss any of them, or will you reconnect with your old friends?

Beneficiaries: They are the ones, sir.

Prime Minister: Ah, these are your old friends?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: And they’re moving here as well?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: How do you feel now that you’ve got this house?

Beneficiary: I feel very good, sir. I have moved from a slum to this house, and it’s wonderful.

Prime Minister: But now, won’t many guests come from Uttar Pradesh? Won’t your expenses increase?

Beneficiary: It doesn't matter, sir.

Prime Minister: Will you keep this place clean as well?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir. It will be very well-maintained.

Prime Minister: You’ll have access to a playground too.

Beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: And what will you do there?

Beneficiary: I’ll play.

Prime Minister: You’ll play? But then, who will study?

Beneficiary: I will also study, sir.

Prime Minister: How many of you are from Uttar Pradesh? How many are from Bihar? Where are you from?

Beneficiary: I’m from the Bihar side, sir.

Prime Minister: I see. What kind of work do you, the people living in slums, do?

Beneficiary: Sir, most of us work as labourers.

Prime Minister: Labourers, auto rickshaw drivers?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir. Some of us also work in the mandis at night.

Prime Minister: And those who work in the mandis, what do you do during Chhath Puja considering the condition of the Yamuna river now.

Beneficiary: We perform it right here, sir.

Prime Minister: So, this is where you have to perform? Oh No! You are not benefitting from the Yamuna, are you?

Beneficiary: No, sir.

Prime Minister: So, what will you do here? Will you all celebrate the festivals together?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: Will you celebrate Makar Sankranti here?

Beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: What will you do to make people want to come and witness this Swabhiman (self-respect) in reality?

Beneficiary: We will always welcome everyone with open hearts. There will be no lack of hospitality. We will hold no hatred for anyone and will live with love and affection towards all.

Prime Minister: We should keep celebrating festivals together. Look, you should tell everyone that Modiji came and assured that those who are still waiting for houses will also receive them. We have resolved that even the poorest of the poor in this country will have a solid roof over their heads.

Explore More
ശ്രീരാമജന്മഭൂമി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ പതാക ഉയർത്തൽ ഉത്സവത്തിനിടെ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി നടത്തിയ പ്രസം​ഗം

ജനപ്രിയ പ്രസംഗങ്ങൾ

ശ്രീരാമജന്മഭൂമി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ പതാക ഉയർത്തൽ ഉത്സവത്തിനിടെ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി നടത്തിയ പ്രസം​ഗം
How PLI schemes, design in India and manufacturing excellence are transforming the architectural lighting industry

Media Coverage

How PLI schemes, design in India and manufacturing excellence are transforming the architectural lighting industry
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Chairs Second High-Level Meeting with Secretaries of Government of India
July 28, 2026
Sectors discussed: Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology
PM emphasises the need to break both horizontal and vertical silos within the Government
PM emphasises the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors
PM encourages greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in cybersecurity ecosystem
PM Stresses Proactive Outreach on Strategic Sectors to Counter Misinformation
PM says Govt must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation
Secretaries share experiences and perspectives on key initiatives, emerging opportunities and implementation challenges

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the second high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. He reviewed the future action agenda of Ministries and Departments dealing with Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology sectors. The meeting focused on accelerating progress towards the goals of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister called for a strong focus on team building across Ministries and Departments, urging officers to work with a shared sense of purpose. He emphasised the need to break both horizontal and vertical silos within the Government so that departments function in close coordination and deliver integrated outcomes.

Highlighting the importance of citizen-centric governance, Prime Minister said that the people of India must remain at the centre of governance. He reminded that every decision and policy should be guided by the interests and aspirations of the common citizen.

Prime Minister stressed that while India is making significant investments in infrastructure, equal priority must be given to developing indigenous technologies. He underscored the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors.

Prime Minister underlined that energy security is closely linked with national security, economic stability and citizens’ welfare. Prime Minister said India must achieve self-reliance in the energy sector through innovation, diversification and accelerated capacity creation.

Emphasising that reforms are not merely a fashionable term but a continuous necessity for effective governance, Prime Minister stressed the need to reform processes, improve work culture and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Prime Minister said that growing use of technology must be accompanied by a strong focus on cybersecurity to safeguard digital systems and infrastructure. He stressed the need for constant vigilance against emerging cyber threats. He called for encouraging greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in the cybersecurity ecosystem and emphasised that it should evolve into a nationwide movement.

Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of proactive communication on strategic sectors where the country is undertaking major initiatives, to counter misinformation and unfounded fears surrounding such efforts.

Prime Minister says that new academic courses should be planned in partnership with industry to equip the workforce with skills required by emerging and future industries. He also observed that a government must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation.

The meeting featured detailed discussions by Secretaries on the progress, priorities and implementation issues across their respective domains. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of key Ministries and Departments, and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.