PM Modi addresses a grand public rally in Guwahati, Assam

Published By : Admin | February 14, 2026 | 14:30 IST
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In 70 years of Congress rule, only 3 bridges were built over the Brahmaputra; in the last 10 to 11 years, BJP NDA has completed 5 major bridges: PM in Assam rally

PM Modi addressed a massive public rally in Guwahati, where he said the recent Union Budget has further strengthened the vision of the BJP-NDA for the development of Assam and the North East. Calling the North East “Ashtalakshmi,” he said the region was ignored for decades by Congress but is now being served with dedication.

He said this year’s Budget places strong emphasis on making the North East economically self-reliant. Assam will receive nearly fifty thousand crore rupees as its share of taxes this year, compared to only ten thousand crore rupees during the Congress era. He questioned whether a party that hesitated to give funds for Assam’s development could ever truly develop the state.

The Prime Minister said the Budget has further boosted connectivity in the region, noting that improved highways and road projects worth thousands of crores will expand employment and tourism. Referring to Pariksha Pe Charcha held aboard a cruise on the Brahmaputra, he said river tourism will be expanded further with provisions made in the Budget.

Highlighting a historic moment, PM Modi said the landing of an Air Force aircraft on a highway in Moran reflects Assam’s growing strength. He said there was a time when the North East was associated with broken roads, but today, highways are being built where even aircraft can land. He credited the BJP government in Assam and the spirit of “Mera Booth Sabse Majboot” for this transformation. He urged workers to safeguard every vote at every booth.

On national security, the PM said the new emergency landing strip symbolises a New India that is fully prepared to defend itself. Paying tribute to the brave soldiers martyred in the Pulwama attack, he said the world has seen how India responds firmly to terrorism. He stated that Congress never prioritised national security and kept the North East in fear and instability.

Contrasting development under BJP and Congress, PM Modi said that in seventy years of Congress rule, only three bridges were built over the Brahmaputra. In the last ten to eleven years, BJP-NDA has completed five major bridges. He said Congress gave Assam problems while BJP delivered solutions. He added that several more bridges are under construction, which will accelerate growth across Assam and the North East.

PM Modi said that the BJP ensures that every major national initiative benefits Assam and the North East simultaneously. Assam was connected early to Vande Bharat trains and recently became the starting point of the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train. He said Assam is emerging as a growth engine in the semiconductor sector.

On digital connectivity, he said, while Congress failed to expand 3G and 4G effectively to the region, the BJP ensured 5G reached villages across Assam and the North East through a saturation approach. Guwahati youth are now benefiting from high-speed internet, and the new NIC Data Centre will create further opportunities.

In healthcare, PM Modi said that in 2014, India had only six AIIMS, but today there are more than twenty, including AIIMS Guwahati. Several medical colleges and cancer hospitals have also been established in Assam. He announced approval of the PM Relief Scheme.

He highlighted the expansion of higher education institutions such as IIM Palashbari, the modernisation of IIT Guwahati, and the establishment of IARI in Assam, which will create new technology leaders.

Speaking about peace and stability, PM Modi said Congress kept Assam disturbed for decades with violence, blockades and unrest. He said the BJP NDA has restored peace, with several groups, including Bodo, Karbi, Adivasi, DNLA and ULFA, choosing the path of the Constitution over violence. He warned that Congress, frustrated after being out of power for ten years, wants to push Assam back into instability and hand it over to infiltrators. He said the people must remain alert and protect Assam’s identity.

Concluding his address, PM Modi thanked the people of Assam for their continued trust and said with Modi ki Guarantee and a strong BJP NDA government, Assam will continue to move ahead on the path of peace, security and rapid development.

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Cabinet approves Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 to Mobilize Venture Capital for India’s Startup Ecosystem
February 14, 2026
Rs. 10,000 crore corpus to support deep tech, tech-driven innovative manufacturing startups, and early-growth stage startups

In a major boost to India’s growing startup ecosystem, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (Startup India FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore for the purpose of mobilizing venture capital for the startup ecosystem of the country.

The Scheme is designed to accelerate the next phase of India’s startup journey by mobilising long-term domestic capital, strengthening the venture capital ecosystem, and supporting innovation-led entrepreneurship across the country.

Launched under the Startup India initiative, Startup India FoF 2.0 builds on nearly a decade of sustained efforts to make India one of the world’s leading startup nations. Since the launch of Startup India in 2016, India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed an extraordinary transformation growing from fewer than 500 startups to over 2 lakh Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)-recognised startups today, with 2025 marking the highest ever annual startup registrations.

Building on Fund of Funds for Startups 1.0

The Startup India FoF 2.0 follows the strong performance of the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS 1.0), which was launched in 2016 to address funding gaps and catalyse the domestic venture capital market for startups.

Under FFS 1.0, the entire corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore has been committed to 145 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). Such supported AIFs have invested over Rs. 25,500 crore in more than 1,370 startups across the country in sectors such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, robotics, automotive, clean tech, consumer goods & services, e-commerce, education, fintech, food & beverages, healthcare, manufacturing, space tech, and biotechnology amongst others.

FFS 1.0 played a pivotal role in nurturing first-time founders, crowding in private capital, and helping build a strong foundation for India’s venture capital ecosystem.

Key Features of the Scheme:

While the first phase built the ecosystem, Startup India FoF 2.0 is designed to take Indian innovation to the next level. The new fund will have a targeted, segmented funding approach to support:

  1. Deep tech and tech-driven innovative manufacturing: Prioritizing breakthroughs in high-tech areas that require patient, long-term capital.
  2. Empowering early-growth stage founders: Providing a safety net for new and innovative ideas, reducing early-stage failures caused by lack of funding.
  3. National reach: Encouraging investment beyond major metros so that, the innovation thrives in every corner of the country.
  4. Designed to address high‑risk capital gaps: Directing greater capital to priority areas which are important for self-reliance and boosting economic growth.
  5. Strengthen India’s domestic venture capital base, particularly smaller funds to further boost the domestic investment landscape.

Startup India FoF 2.0 is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic trajectory, leading to transformational impact.

Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 is expected to play a critical role in advancing India’s innovation-led growth agenda. By supporting startups that build globally competitive technologies, products, and solutions, the Fund will contribute to strengthening India’s economic resilience, boosting manufacturing capabilities, generating high-quality jobs, and positioning India as a global innovation hub.

Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Fund represents the Government’s continued commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and unlocking the full potential of India’s startup ecosystem.