Prime Minister participates in the Ekta Diwas Celebrations at Kevadia, Gujarat

Published By : Admin | October 31, 2020 | 11:00 IST
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The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the Ekta Diwas Celebrations to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of “Loh Purush” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Kevadia, Gujarat. He offered floral tributes at the Statue of Unity, administered the Ekta Pledge and witnessed the Ekta Diwas Parade on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the various projects inaugurated for the Integrated development of Kevadia will help in increasing the tourism of the region. He said tourists will now have the option to visit the Statue of Unity to get the darshan of Sardar Saheb through a sea-plane service as well.

Cultural Unity by Maharishi Valmiki

The Prime Minister remarked that a few centuries ago, Adikavi Maharishi Valmiki made efforts to make India more vibrant, energetic and culturally united than the India we experience today. Shri Modi expressed happiness that Valmiki Jayanti coincides with Ekta Diwas. He expressed happiness the way the country has proved its collective strength, its collective will in the face of this epidemic, is unprecedented.

New dimensions of Unity

The Prime Minister said now Kashmir has moved on a new path of development, leaving behind the obstacles that were coming in the development of Kashmir. He added today the country is establishing new dimensions of unity. He listed the steps taken for the restoration of peace in the Northeast and the initiatives taken for its development.

He said the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya following the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s verdict is an attempt to restore the cultural glory of India envisioned by Sardar Patel.

AatmaNirbhar Bharat

The Prime Minister remarked that today, 130 crore countrymen together are building a nation that is both strong and capable, in which there should be equality and there are also opportunities. He said only a self-sufficient country can be confident of its progress as well as its security. He added therefore that the country is moving towards becoming self-sufficient in the various fields including defense as well.

Development of Border Areas and Protection of India’s Sovereignty & Integrity

The Prime Minister said India's perspective and attitudes towards borders have also changed. Criticizing the neighbouring countries, he said today those eyeing the land of India are getting a befitting reply. He pointed out that India is building hundreds of kilometers of roads, dozens of bridges and many tunnels on the borders. He affirmed that today's India is fully ready to protect its sovereignty and integrity.

Unity against Terrorism

The Prime Minister said amidst these efforts, there are many challenges which India and the whole world are facing today. He said the way some people have come out in support of terrorism is a matter of global concern today. He urged upon the need for all the countries of the world, all governments, all religions, to unite against terrorism,. He said a sense of peace, brotherhood and mutual respect is the true identity of humanity. He pointed out no one can ever get welfare from terrorism-violence. He said our diversity is our existence and we are so extraordinary. He reminded that this unity of India is the power which keeps others on their toes. They want to make this diversity our only weakness. He stressed the need to recognize such forces and remain cautious.

Pulwama attack

The Prime Minister said he was reminded of Pulwama attack while watching the parade of paramilitary forces today. He said the country can never forget the incident and the whole nation was saddened by the departure of its brave sons. He said the country will never forget the kind of statements made on the incident. He said the recent statements made in the Parliament of the neighbouring country brings out the truth.

He lamented the play of ugly politics in the country which displayed utter selfishness and arrogance. Politics done after Pulwama attack is a great example of to what extent can these people go, for their political interest. He urged such political parties to work in the interest of the security of the country and for the morale of our security forces.

The Prime Minister said knowingly or unknowingly by playing into the hands of anti-national forces for your selfishness, you will not be able to work for the interest of the country nor for your party. He stressed that the highest interest for all of us should be the country's interest. He added when we think of everyone's interests, only then will we progress.

Earlier the Prime Minister witnessed a colorful parade of police forces of Gujarat State, the Central Reserve Armed Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Forces and National Security Guards. The parade also included a Rifle drill by the female officers of CRPF. The Jaguars of the Indian Air Force also performed a fly-past to mark the occasion. The Prime Minister also witnessed a cultural event showcasing the tribal heritage of India on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta diwas.

 

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Greetings, Friends,

Yesterday, the Honorable President’s address was an expression of the self-confidence of 140 crore countrymen, an account of the collective endeavor of 140 crore Indians, and a very precise articulation of the aspirations of 140 crore citizens—especially the youth. It also laid out several guiding thoughts for all Members of Parliament. At the very beginning of the session, and at the very start of 2026, the expectations expressed by the Honorable President before the House, in the simplest of words and in the capacity of the Head of the Nation, reflect deep sentiments. I am fully confident that all Honorable Members of Parliament have taken them seriously. This session, in itself, is a very important one. It is the Budget Session.

A quarter of the 21st century has already passed; we are now beginning the second quarter. This marks the start of a crucial 25-year period to achieve the goal of a Developed India by 2047. This is the first budget of the second quarter of this century. And Finance Minister Nirmala ji is presenting the budget in Parliament for the ninth consecutive time—the first woman Finance Minister in the country to do so. This moment is being recorded as a matter of pride in India’s parliamentary history.

Friends,

This year has begun on a very positive note. A self-confident India today has become a ray of hope for the world and also a center of attraction. At the very beginning of this quarter, the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union reflects how bright the coming directions are and how promising the future of India’s youth is. This is free trade for an ambitious India, free trade for aspirational youth, and free trade for a self-reliant India. I am fully confident that, especially India’s manufacturers, will use this opportunity to enhance their capabilities.

I would say to all producers: when such a “mother of all deals,” as it is called, has been concluded between India and the European Union, our industrialists and manufacturers should not remain complacent merely thinking that a big market has opened and goods can now be sent cheaply. This is an opportunity, and the foremost mantra of seizing this opportunity is to focus on quality. Now that the market has opened, we must enter it with the very best quality. If we go with top-class quality, we will not only earn revenue from buyers across the 27 countries of the European Union, but we will also win their hearts. That impact lasts a long time—decades, in fact. Company brands, along with the nation’s brand, establish a new sense of pride.

Therefore, this agreement with 27 countries is bringing major opportunities for our fishermen, our farmers, our youth, and those in the service sector who are eager to work across the world. I am fully confident that this is a very significant step toward a confident, competitive, and productive India.

Friends,

It is natural for the nation’s attention to be focused on the budget. But this government has been identified with reform, perform, and transform. Now we are moving on the reform express—at great speed. I also express my gratitude to all colleagues in Parliament who are contributing their positive energy to accelerate this reform express, due to which it continues to gain momentum.

The country is now moving out of long-term pending problems and stepping firmly onto the path of long-term solutions. When long-term solutions are in place, predictability emerges, which creates trust across the world. In every decision we take, national progress is our objective, but all our decisions are human-centric. Our role and our schemes are human-centric. We will compete with technology, adopt technology, and accept its potential, but at the same time, we will not allow the human-centric system to be diminished in any way. Understanding the importance of sensitivities, we will move forward with a harmonious integration of technology and humanity.

Those who critique us—who may have likes or dislikes toward us—this is natural in a democracy. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that this government has emphasized last-mile delivery. There is a continuous effort to ensure that schemes do not remain confined to files but reach people’s lives. This tradition will be taken forward in the coming days through next-generation reforms on the reform express.

India’s democracy and India’s demography today represent a great hope for the world. From this temple of democracy, we should also convey a message to the global community—about our capabilities, our commitment to democracy, and our respect for decisions taken through democratic processes. The world welcomes and accepts this.

At a time when the country is moving forward, this is not an era of obstruction; it is an era of solutions. Today, the priority is not disruption, but resolution. Today is not a time to sit and lament through obstruction; it is a period that demands courageous, solution-oriented decisions. I urge all Honorable Members of Parliament to come forward, accelerate this phase of essential solutions for the nation, empower decisions, and move successfully ahead in last-mile delivery.

Thank you very much, colleagues. My best wishes to all of you.