Text of PM Modi’s first address to the Nation on Radio

PM inaugurates, lays foundation stone of multiple development projects in Bhopal

The name of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar fills us with reverence, Words fall short to speak about her great personality: PM

Devi Ahilyabai was a great guardian of India's heritage: PM

Mata Ahilyabai is a symbol of invaluable contribution of our women power in nation building: PM

Our government is making the vision of women-led development the axis of development: PM

The Namo Drone Didi campaign is encouraging the rural women, increasing their income: PM

Today, a large number of women scientists are working in all our major space missions: PM

Operation Sindoor has also become a symbol of the strength of our women power: PM

Honourable Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel; our esteemed Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Yadav Ji; Union Ministers joining us via technology; Tokhan Sahu Ji from Indore; Ram Mohan Naidu Ji from Datia; Muralidhar Mohol Ji from Satna; the Deputy Chief Ministers of the state, Shri Jagdish Devda Ji & Shri Rajendra Shukla Ji, present here on the dais; my colleague in the Lok Sabha, Shri V. D. Sharma Ji; other Ministers, public representatives, and my dear brothers and sisters gathered here in large numbers!

First and foremost, I bow to Maa Bharti, and Bharat's women. Today, such a large gathering of mothers, sisters, and daughters has come here to bestow their blessings upon us. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet all of you.

Brothers and sisters,

Today marks the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. It is a momentous occasion for 140 crore Indians to draw inspiration and contribute towards the monumental task of nation-building. Devi Ahilyabai used to say that true governance lies in serving the people and improving their lives. Today’s programme carries forward her profound vision. The Indore Metro has been inaugurated today, and air services have now commenced from Datia and Satna as well. These projects will enhance public facilities in Madhya Pradesh, accelerate development, and generate numerous new employment opportunities. On this auspicious day, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you and to the entire state of Madhya Pradesh for these significant developmental strides.

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Friends,

The very name of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar evokes a deep sense of reverence. Words seem insufficient to describe the greatness of her personality. Devi Ahilyabai is a symbol of the idea that with willpower and firm resolve, no matter how adverse the circumstances, one can achieve remarkable outcomes. 2.5 - 3 centuries ago, when our nation was under the colonial rule, she accomplished such extraordinary feats that even generations later continue to speak of them. While it is easy to speak of such achievements today, it was not easy to accomplish them in those challenging times.

Friends,

Lokmata Ahilyabai never viewed service to God and service to the people as separate duties. It is said that she always carried a Shivling with her. Leading a state during such a turbulent period was akin to wearing a crown of thorns—one can only imagine the burden of that responsibility. Yet, Lokmata Ahilyabai gave a new direction to her state's development. She dedicated herself to empowering even the poorest of the poor. Devi Ahilyabai was a staunch protector of Bharat's heritage. At a time when our temples, pilgrimage sites, and cultural landmarks were under threat, Lokmata took the initiative to safeguard them. She restored and rebuilt numerous temples and sacred sites across India, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. I am fortunate to get the opportunity to serve Kashi now, the city where Lokmata Ahilyabai carried out various developmental work extensively. Today, if you visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, you will also find a statue of Devi Ahilyabai there.

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Friends,

Mata Ahilyabai adopted an exemplary model of governance in which the poor and the marginalised were given utmost priority. She initiated various schemes to promote employment and entrepreneurship. She encouraged agriculture, as well as forest-based cottage industries and handicrafts. To support farming, she constructed an intricate network of small canals—just imagine the foresight she had, three centuries ago. She also built numerous ponds to promote water conservation. Today, we continue to emphasize the message: “Catch the rain, save every drop.” Yet, Devi Ahilyabai had already given us this message 250 to 300 years ago. She promoted the cultivation of cotton and spices to boost farmers’ incomes. Even today, we repeatedly urge farmers to diversify their crops and not restrict themselves to paddy or sugarcane alone. We must grow everything that the country needs. For the tribal and nomadic communities, she formulated plans to utilise vacant lands for agriculture. I consider myself fortunate that I now serve my tribal brothers and sisters under the leadership of a tribal daughter who is today the President of India. Devi Ahilyabai also established new industries to promote the now world-renowned Maheshwari sarees. Few people may know that she had an exquisite appreciation for skill and craftsmanship. She brought a few families from Junagadh in Gujarat to Maheshwar, united them, and developed the craft of Maheshwari sarees. The legacy she established 250 to 300 years ago continues to enrich the lives of many families and has immensely benefited our weavers.

Friends,

Devi Ahilyabai will forever be remembered for her many far-reaching social reforms. Today, when we speak about raising the legal age of marriage for daughters, some individuals in our country view it as a threat to secularism, or consider it contrary to religious beliefs. But let us look at Devi Ahilyabai ji—centuries ago, she was already contemplating the appropriate age for a girl's marriage, out of respect for the dignity and potential of women. Though she herself was married at a young age, she had a clear understanding of what path would ensure the development and empowerment of daughters. Such was the vision of Devi Ahilyabai ji. She also asserted that women should have rights to property, and that widows—those who had lost their husbands prematurely—should be allowed to remarry. During her time, even discussing such matters was exceedingly difficult, yet Devi Ahilyabai stood firmly in support of these progressive reforms. She also organised a special women's contingent within the Malwa army. People in the Western world remain unaware of this. They often criticise and attempt to disparage us over women’s rights, unaware that, 2.5 - 3 centuries ago, Bharat had women serving in its armies.

Friends,

For the protection of women, she also established 'Nari Suraksha Tolis'—women’s safety groups—in villages. In essence, Mata Ahilyabai symbolises the invaluable role of women in the task of nation-building. Today, I bow with deep reverence to Devi Ahilyabai ji, who brought about such profound change in society. I bow at her feet and pray that wherever she is, she may continue to shower her blessings upon us all.

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Friends,

There is one powerful statement made by Devi Ahilyabai that will always inspire us, one that we must never forget. The essence of her words was: 'Whatever we receive is a debt given by the public, and it is our duty to repay it.' Today, our government is guided by these very values espoused by Lokmata Ahilyabai. “Nagrik Devo Bhava”—the citizen is god—has become the mantra of our governance. Our government is placing women-led development at the very heart of its development strategy. Mothers, sisters, and daughters are central to every major scheme of the government. You are aware that 4 crore homes have been built for the poor, and most of these are registered in the names of women—our mothers and sisters—giving them legal ownership. For many of these women, it is the first time in their lives that a property has been registered in their name. This means that crores of women in our country have become homeowners for the very first time.

Friends,

Today, the government is working to ensure that every household receives tap water, so that our mothers and sisters are spared the hardship of fetching water, and our daughters can focus on their studies. In the past, crores of women lacked access to basic amenities such as electricity, LPG gas, and toilets. Our government has ensured the provision of these facilities. And these are not merely conveniences; they are a sincere gesture of respect for our mothers and sisters. These measures have eased many of the daily struggles faced by women from poor families and rural areas.

Friends,

In earlier times, many women were forced to conceal their illnesses. Even during pregnancy, they avoided going to the hospital, fearing that medical expenses would place a burden on the family. As a result, they endured pain in silence. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana has relieved them of this concern. Now, they too can access free hospital treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh.

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Friends,

Along with education and healthcare, one of the most crucial aspects for women's empowerment is income generation. When a woman earns her own money, her self-respect within the household increases, and her participation in family decisions becomes more significant. Over the past eleven years, our government has consistently worked to economically empower the women of Bharat. Just imagine—before 2014, before you entrusted me with the responsibility of service, more than 30 crore women in the country did not even have a bank account. Our government launched the Jan Dhan Yojana and opened bank accounts for all of them. Through these accounts, the government now transfers funds from various schemes directly into their hands. Today, whether they live in villages or cities, women are taking up self-employment, earning a livelihood, and becoming financially independent. Through the 'Mudra Yojana', they are receiving collateral-free loans. And over 75% of the beneficiaries of the Mudra scheme are our women.

Friends,

Today, 10 crore women across the country are associated with self-help groups and engaged in various economic activities. The government is assisting these women in creating new sources of income, offering support amounting to several lakhs of rupees. We have resolved to make three crore such women Lakhpati Didis. I am pleased to share that more than 1.5 crore sisters have already achieved this milestone. In every village, Bank Sakhis are now connecting people to banking services. The government has also launched a campaign to train 'Bima Sakhis'. Our sisters and daughters are playing a significant role in providing insurance coverage across the country.

Friends,

There was a time when women were excluded from access to new technology. Today, our nation is leaving that era far behind. The government is working to ensure that our sisters and daughters take the lead in modern technology. For instance, in agriculture, we are witnessing a drone revolution, and our rural women are at the forefront. The 'NaMo Drone Didi' initiative is empowering village women, increasing their income, and earning them recognition in their communities.

Friends,

A growing number of our daughters are becoming scientists, doctors, engineers, and pilots. The number of young women pursuing studies in science and mathematics is consistently rising. In all of our major space missions, many mothers, sisters, and daughters are contributing as scientists. The entire nation takes pride in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, in which more than 100 women scientists and engineers played a role. Likewise, in the age of start-ups, our daughters are demonstrating extraordinary talent. In approximately 45% of start-ups in the country, at least one director is a woman—one of our sisters or daughters. This number continues to rise steadily.

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Friends,

We are committed to increasing the participation of girls and women in policymaking. Over the past decade, many significant steps have been taken in this direction. For the first time under our government, a full-time woman Defence Minister was appointed. For the first time, the country has a woman Finance Minister. From Panchayats to Parliament, the number of women representatives is steadily increasing. In the current Parliament, there are 75 women Members of Parliament. However, we aim to take this participation even further. It is with this very vision that the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' was enacted. This legislation, which had been pending for years, has now been passed by our government. As a result, women's reservation in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies has become a reality. In essence, the BJP government is working to empower our sisters and daughters at every level, in every domain.

Friends,

Bharat is a land of culture and tradition. In our traditions, sindoor (vermilion) is a revered symbol of womanhood and feminine power. Lord Hanuman, deeply devoted to Lord Ram, is also depicted wearing sindoor. We offer sindoor during the worship of the Goddess. Today, this same sindoor has become a symbol of Bharat's valour and courage.

Friends,

In Pahalgam, terrorists have not only spilled the blood of Indians, but they have also launched an attack on our culture. They have attempted to sow division within our society. Most significantly, these terrorists have directly challenged the women of Bharat. That very challenge has sounded the death knell for the terrorists and their backers. 'Operation Sindoor' stands as the largest and most successful counter-terrorism operation in Bharat's history. Our armed forces struck deep—penetrating hundreds of kilometres into enemy territory and obliterating terrorist hideouts in areas even the Pakistani army had never anticipated. This operation has sent an unambiguous message: the era of proxy wars through terrorism is over. From now on, we shall not merely defend—we shall retaliate. We will strike at the heart of those who shelter and support terrorism, and they will be made to pay dearly. Today, every Indian citizen, the unified voice of 140 crore Indians, is declaring: “If you fire a bullet, be prepared for a barrage in response.”

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Friends,

*Operation Sindoor* has become a powerful symbol of the strength of our women. We are all aware of the significant role played by the Border Security Force (BSF) in this operation. From Jammu to the borders of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, a large number of our BSF daughters stood on the frontlines, courageously defending our nation. They responded decisively to cross-border firing. From command and control centres to the destruction of enemy posts, the brave daughters of the BSF displayed remarkable valour.

Friends,

Today, the world is witnessing the extraordinary capabilities of Bharat's daughters in the realm of national defence. The government has taken numerous steps over the past decade to empower them in this domain. From schools to the battlefield, the country now places unprecedented faith in the courage and strength of its daughters. For the first time, our armed forces have opened the doors of Sainik Schools to girls. Before 2014, only 25% of cadets in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) were girls. Today, that figure is approaching 50%. Yesterday, another historic milestone was achieved. You must have seen in the newspapers that the first batch of women cadets has graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA). Today, women are being deployed on the frontlines in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. From fighter jets to the warship 'INS Vikrant', women officers are fearlessly demonstrating their courage and competence.

Friends,

We have a recent and inspiring example of the valour of our Navy’s brave daughters. I wish to highlight the 'Navika Sagar Parikrama'. Two courageous women officers of the Indian Navy undertook a sea voyage lasting approximately 250 days, circumnavigating the globe. This remarkable journey was completed in a boat powered not by an engine, but by the wind. Just imagine—250 days at sea, weeks on end without sight of land, and all while facing fierce storms and turbulent weather. Yet, they overcame every challenge. This stands as proof that no matter how formidable the obstacle, the daughters of Bharat have the strength to conquer it.

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Friends,

Whether it is combating Naxalite insurgency or confronting cross-border terrorism, today, our daughters are becoming a formidable shield in safeguarding the nation. From this sacred land of Devi Ahilya, I once again offer my respectful salutations to the women of Bharat.

Friends,

Devi Ahilya not only undertook developmental work, but also preserved our rich cultural heritage. Today’s Bharat, too, is advancing on the twin paths of development and heritage. Today’s programme is a testament to the pace at which modern infrastructure is being constructed across the country. Today, Madhya Pradesh has received its first metro service. Indore, already acclaimed globally for its cleanliness, will now also be known for its metro connectivity. In Bhopal too, metro work is progressing rapidly. Across Madhya Pradesh, extensive work is being undertaken in the railway sector. Just a few days ago, the Central Government approved the conversion of the Ratlam-Nagda route into four lines. This will allow more trains to operate and ease congestion in the region. The Central Government has also approved the Indore–Manmad railway project.

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Friends,

Datia and Satna in Madhya Pradesh have now been integrated into the air travel network. These two airports will significantly enhance air connectivity across the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions. This will make it more convenient to visit the sacred sites of Maa Pitambara, Maa Sharda Devi, and the revered Chitrakoot Dham.

Friends,

Bharat stands at a pivotal juncture in its history—a time when we must strengthen our security, amplify our capabilities, and safeguard our cultural identity at every level. To achieve this, the contribution of our women—our mothers, sisters, and daughters—is of paramount importance. We draw inspiration from Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai. The names of Rani Lakshmibai, Rani Durgavati, Rani Kamalapati, Avantibai Lodhi, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, Rani Gaidinliu, Velu Nachiyar, and Savitribai Phule—all fill our hearts with immense pride. May the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilyabai continue to inspire us to build a stronger and more resilient Bharat for generations to come. With this resolve, I once again convey my heartfelt good wishes to you all.

Now, raise your tricolour and join me in saying:

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

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