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Quoteసోదరీమణుల ఆరోగ్యం, సౌలభ్యం మరియు సాధికారత పరిష్కారం ఉజ్వల యోజన నుండి గొప్ప ప్రేరణ పొందింది: ప్రధాని
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Quoteఉజ్వల 2.0 పథకం లక్షలాది మంది వలస కార్మిక కుటుంబాలకు గరిష్ట ప్రయోజనాన్ని అందిస్తుంది: ప్రధాన మంత్రి
Quoteజీవ ఇంధనం ఇంధనం, దేశాభివృద్ధి మరియు గ్రామాల అభివృద్ధిలో స్వయం-ఆధారిత ఇంజిన్: ప్రధాని
Quoteమరింత సమర్థవంతమైన భారతదేశం యొక్క సంకల్పాన్ని సాధించడంలో సోదరీమణులు ప్రత్యేక పాత్ర పోషించబోతున్నారు: ప్రధాని

Namaskar,

Just now I got an opportunity to talk to all the mothers and sisters. I am happy that the festival of Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated after a few days and I got the blessings of mothers and sisters in advance. Today I have got the opportunity to present another gift to the sisters of crores of poor, Dalit, deprived, backward and tribal families of the country. Today many sisters are getting free gas connection and gas stoves as part of the next phase of the Ujjwala scheme. I once again congratulate all the beneficiaries.

Present in Mahoba, my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Hardeep Singh Puri ji, Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath ji, my another cabinet colleague Rameshwar Teli ji, Deputy CM of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya ji, Dr. Dinesh Sharma ji, all ministers of UP government, my colleagues in Parliament, all respected MLAs, and my brothers and sisters,

The number of people and women that the Ujjwala scheme has illuminated is unprecedented. This scheme was launched in 2016 from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, from the land of Mangal Pandey ji, the pioneer of the freedom struggle. Today the second phase of Ujjwala is also starting from Mahoba, the valiant land of UP. Be it Mahoba or Bundelkhand, these have been spirited sites for the country's independence. Every particle here has the fragrance of the heroic tales of many heroes like Rani Laxmibai, Rani Durgavati, Maharaja Chhatrasal, Veer Alha and Udal. At a time when the country is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of the country’s independence, this event is also an occasion to remember our great personalities. 

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Friends,

Today I also remember another great prodigy of Bundelkhand -- Major Dhyan Chand, our DaddaDhyan Chand.The name of the country's highest sports award is now the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. I am sure that the name of Dadda, associated now with Khel Ratna, will inspire lakhs and crores of youth in the wake of the phenomenal performance of our young players in the Olympics. This time our players have not only won medals, but have also given an inkling for a better future by performing well in many events.

Brothers and sisters,

We are about to herald the 75th year of independence. But if we look at the progress of the last seven- and-a-half decades, we feel that there were some situations which could have been changed many decades ago. There were many basic needs like home, electricity, water, toilets, gas, roads, hospitals and schools, for which the countrymen had to wait for decades. This is tragic. It is our mothers and sisters who have suffered the most because of this (apathy), especially the poor mothers and sisters.It is the mother who has to face the problem due to the leaking roof of the hut. It is the mother who has to face the problem due to lack of electricity. If the family falls sick due to polluted water, even then the mother has to face the maximum problems. Thereis a problem for mothers and daughters as they have to wait for darkness to go out due to lack of toilets. If there is no separate toilet in the school, then there is a problem for our daughters. Many generations like us have grown up seeing the sight of the mother rubbing her eyes near fireplaces in the kitchen in the scorching heat.

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Friends,

Can we move towards the 100th year of independence in such conditions? Will we spend our energy only in meeting basic needs? How can a family, a society fulfill their big dreams if they continue to struggle for basic facilities?How can dreams be fulfilled, unless society gets this belief and gathers the confidence to fulfill them? And how can a country become self-reliant without self-confidence?

Brothers and sisters,

When the country gave us the opportunity to serve in 2014, we asked ourselves these questions. It was very clear that we had to find solutions to all these problems within a stipulated time. Our daughters would be able to come out of homes and kitchens and contribute extensively in nation building only when the problems related to home and kitchen were solved first. Therefore, everything has been done on a mission mode in the last 6-7 years to find solutions. Crores of toilets were built across the country under the Swachh Bharat Mission.  Pucca houses of more than 2 crore poor were built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The ownership of most of these houses is with our sisters. We built thousands of kilometers of rural roads and gave electricity connections to about 3 crore familiesthrough the Saubhagya Yojana. Ayushman Bharat scheme is providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to more than 50 crore people. Thousands of rupees are being deposited directly into the bank accounts of expecting mothers for vaccination and nutritious food during pregnancy under the Matru Vandana Yojana. Bank accounts of crores of sisters were opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana, in which the government deposited about 30,000 crore rupees during the Corona period. Now work is underway to provide pure water from pipes to our sisters of rural families through the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Friends,

Ujjwala Yojana has put great emphasis on the resolve of ensuring health, convenience and empowerment of sisters. In the first phase of the scheme, eight crore poor, Dalit, deprived, backward and tribal families were given free gas connections. We have seen its benefits during the Corona period. When there was no movement and businesseswere closed, then crores of poor families were given free gas cylinders for several months. Imagine, what would have been the condition of our poor sisters in times of crisis had the Ujjwalascheme not been there?

Friends,

Another impact of the Ujjwala scheme has been that the infrastructure related to LPG gas has expanded manifold in the entire country. In the last 6-7 years, more than 11,000 new LPG distribution centers have been opened across the country. Uttar Pradesh alone had less than 2,000 distribution centers in 2014. Today it has exceeded more than 4,000. Due to this, thousands of youth got employment and secondly, families who were earlier deprived of gas connections got access to it. It is because of these efforts thatthe gas coverage in India is very close to being 100%. More gas connections have been given in the last 7 years than they were in the country till 2014. Efforts are also underway to resolve the problems of booking and delivery of cylinders, which were there earlier.

Brothers and sisters,

Today one more facility is being added to the existing facilities in the Ujjwala scheme. Many of our comrades from all over UP and other states, including Bundelkhand, go to other states from villages to cities to work. But they face the problem of proof of address. The second phase of the Ujjwala scheme is going to provide the maximum relief to lakhs of such families. Now my labor colleagues do not have to wander for proof of address. The government has full faith in your honesty. All you have to do is give a self-declaration of your address through writing and you will get a gas connection.

Friends,

Now the government is working in the direction of providing gas through pipesas it happens with water in your kitchen. This PNG is also much cheaper than the cylinder. The work of providing PNG connections in many districts of Eastern India, including Uttar Pradesh, is going on at a brisk pace. In the first phase, a target has been set to connect about 21 lakh houses in more than 50 districts of UP. Similarly, a massive effort is underway for CNG-based transport.

Brothers and sisters,

When dreams are big, the efforts to achieve them should be equally big. Today on the occasion of World Bio-fuel Day, we have to remember our goals again. We just saw a small documentary regarding what is happening in the sphere of bio-fuels. Bio-fuel is not just a clean fuel;rather it is also a medium to accelerate the engine of self-reliance in fuel, the engine of development of the country and the engine of development of the villages. Bio-fuel is the energy that we can get from household and farm waste, from plants and from rotten grains. The country is working on bio-fuel-ethanol goals. In the last 6-7 years, we have come very close to the target of 10 percent blending in petrol. In the next 4-5 years, we are moving towards achieving the target of 20 percent blending. The target is also to manufacture such vehicles in the country which will run on 100% ethanol.

Friends,

Ethanol will make commutingcheaper and the environment will also be safe. But the biggest benefit will accrue to our farmers and youth, especially to those from UP. When there will be an option to make ethanol from sugarcane, then sugarcane farmers will get more money and that too on time. Ethanol worth Rs 7,000 crore was purchased from ethanol producers in UP in the last year alone. Over the years, many units related to ethanol and bio-fuel have been set up in UP. In order to make compressed biogas from sugarcane residue, 70 districts of UP are in the process of setting up CBG plants. Now three big complexes are being built to develop bio-fuel from agricultural residue and stubble. Of these, two are being built in Badaun and Gorakhpur in UP and one in Bathinda in Punjab. With these projects, farmers will get paid for waste, thousands of youth will get employment and the environment will also be protected.

Friends,

Similarly, there is another important scheme, GobarDhanYojana. This scheme encourages the production of biogas from cow dung. This will also bring cleanliness in the villages and such animals which are not useful for the dairy sector and do not give milk will also be gainful. Yogi ji's government has also built many Gaushalas (cow ranches). This is an important effort for the care of cows and for the protection of farmers' crops.

Friends,

Now the country is moving towards fulfilling the dream of a better life, by achieving basic amenities. We have to increase this potential manifold in the next 25 years. Together we have to realize this resolve of a capable India. Sisters are going to have a special role. I once again convey my best wishes to all the beneficiary sisters of Ujjwala. I feel blessed that I got an opportunity to do this service to mothers and sisters ahead of the holy festival of Raksha Bandhan. I feel blessed. May your blessings be always there so that we continue to work with new energy to serve Mother Bharti, the 130 crore countrymen, the villages, poor, farmers, Dalits, victims and backwards. With this desire, best wishes to you. Thanks a lot!

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ప్రతి భారతీయుడి రక్తం మరుగుతోంది: మన్ కీ బాత్‌లో ప్రధాని మోదీ

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ప్రతి భారతీయుడి రక్తం మరుగుతోంది: మన్ కీ బాత్‌లో ప్రధాని మోదీ
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The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage: PM Modi
July 04, 2025
QuoteThe journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage: PM
QuoteI am sure you all welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy: PM
QuoteThe Indian diaspora is our pride: PM
QuoteAt the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world: PM
QuoteIndia's success in space is global in spirit: PM

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Ji
Members of the Cabinet,
All the Dignitaries present today,
Members of the Indian diaspora,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Namaskar !
Seeta Ram !
Jai Shri Ram !

Can you mark something… what a coincidence!

It is a matter of immense pride and joy for me to be with all of you this evening. I thank Prime Minister Kamla Ji for her wonderful hospitality and kind words.

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I arrived a short while ago in this beautiful land of Humming Birds.And, my very first engagement is with the Indian community here. It feels completely natural. After all, we are part of one family. I thank you for your warmth and affection.

Friends,

I know the story of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence.

They left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayan in their hearts. They left their soil, but not their soul. They were not just migrants. They were messengers of a timeless civilization. Their contributions have benefitted this country - culturally, economically and spiritually. Just look at the impact that you have all had on this beautiful nation.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji - as the first woman Prime Minister of this country. Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo Ji - as the female President. Late Shri Basdeo Pandey, the son of a farmer, rose to become Prime Minister and a respected global leader. Eminent math scholar Rudranath Capildeo, Music Icon Sundar Popo, Cricketing talent Daren Ganga, and Sewdass Sadhu, whose devotion built the Temple in the Sea. The list of achievers goes on.

You, the children of Girmitiyas, are not defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by your success, your service, and your values. Honestly, there must be something magical in the "doubles” and "dal poori” — because you have doubled the success of this great nation!

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Friends,

When I last visited 25 years ago, we all admired the cover drives and pull shots of Lara. Today, it is Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran who ignite the same excitement in the hearts of our youth. Between then and now, our friendship has grown even stronger.

Benaras, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi may be cities in India. But they are also names of streets here. Navratra, Mahashivratri, Janmasthmi are celebrated here with joy, spirit and pride. Chowtal and Baithak Gana continue to thrive here.

I can see the warmth of many familiar faces. And I see curiosity in the bright eyes of a younger generation - keen to know and grow together. Truly, our bonds go well beyond geography and generations.

Friends,

I know of your deep faith in Prabhu Shri Ram.

एक सौ अस्सी साल बीतल हो, मन न भुलल हो, भजन राम के, हर दिल में गूंजल हो ।

The Ram-Leelas in Sangre Grande and Dow Village are said to be truly unique. Shri Ram Charit Manas says,

राम धामदा पुरी सुहावनि।
लोक समस्त बिदित अति पावनि।।

It means, the sacred city of Prabhu Shri Ram is so beautiful that its glory is spread across the world. I am sure you all welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy.

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We remember, you had sent holy water and Shilas for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. It is my honour to bring a replica of Ram Mandir and some water from the river Sarayu in Ayodhya.

जन्मभूमि मम पुरी सुहावनि ।
उत्तर दिसि बह सरजू पावनि ।।
जा मज्जन ते बिनहिं प्रयासा ।
मम समीप नर पावहिं बासा ।।

Prabhu Shri Ram says that the glory of Ayodhya springs from the holy Sarayu. Whoever takes a dip in its water, finds eternal union with Shri Ram himself.

सरयू जी और पवित्र संगम का ये जल, आस्था का अमृत है। ये वो प्रवाहमान धारा है, जो हमारे मूल्यों को...हमारे संस्कारों को हमेशा जीवंत रखती है।

You all know that earlier this year, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh took place. I have the honour to carry water from the Maha Kumbh also with me. I request Kamla ji to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Friends,

We deeply value the strength and support of our diaspora. With over 35 million people spread across the world, the Indian diaspora is our pride. As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot – an Ambassador of India’s values, culture and heritage.

This year, when we hosted the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Bhubaneshwar, Her Excellency President Christine Carla Kangaloo ji was our Chief Guest. A few years ago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji had honoured us with her presence.

At the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world. We are mapping the past and bringing people closer for a bright future. We are actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya Community. Documenting the villages and cities in India from which their ancestors migrated, identifying the places where they have settled, studying and preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya ancestors, and working to organise World Girmitiya Conferences regularly. This will support the deep and historic ties with our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago as well.

Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you.

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Friends,

प्रधानमंत्री कमला जी के पूर्वज बिहार के बक्सर में रहा करते थे। कमला जी वहां जाकर भी आई हैं.... लोग इन्हें बिहार की बेटी मानते हैं

People in India consider Prime Minister Kamla ji as the daughter of Bihar.

यहां उपस्थित अनेक लोगों के पूर्वज बिहार से ही आए थे। बिहार की विरासत... भारत के साथ ही दुनिया का भी गौरव है। लोकतंत्र हो, राजनीति हो, कूटनीति हो, हायर एजुकेशन हो...बिहार ने सदियों पहले दुनिया को ऐसे अनेक विषयों में नई दिशा दिखाई थी। मुझे विश्वास है, 21वीं सदी की दुनिया के लिए भी बिहार की धरती से, नई प्रेरणाएं, नए अवसर निकलेंगे।

Like Kamla ji, there are many people here whose roots lie in Bihar. The heritage of Bihar is a matter of pride for all of us.

Friends,

I am sure everyone among you feels proud when India grows. For New India, even the sky is not the limit. You all must have cheered when India’s Chandrayaan landed on the moon. The place where it landed, we have named it Shiv Shakti point.

You must have also heard the news recently. An Indian astronaut is on board the International Space Station even as we speak. We are now working on a manned space mission – Gaganyaan. The time is not far when an Indian will walk on the moon and India will have its own space station.

हम अब तारों को सिर्फ गिनते नहीं हैं...आदित्य मिशन के रूप में...उनके पास तक जाने का प्रयास करते हैं।हमारे लिए अब चंदा मामा दूर के नहीं हैं ।हम अपनी मेहनत से असंभव को भी संभव बना रहे हैं।

India’s achievements in space are not just ours. We are sharing its fruits with the rest of the world.

Friends,

India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. Soon, we will be among the top three economies of the world. The fruits of India’s growth and progress are reaching the most needy.

भारत ने दिखाया है कि गरीबों को सशक्त करके... Empower करके... गरीबी को हराया जा सकता है। पहली बार करोड़ों लोगों में विश्वास जागा है, कि भारत गरीबी से मुक्त हो सकता है।

The World Bank has noted that India has lifted over 250 million people above extreme poverty in the last decade. India’s growth is being powered by our innovative and energetic youth.

Today, India is the third largest startup hub in the world. Nearly half of these startups also have women as directors. Nearly 120 startups have got unicorn status. National missions for AI, Semiconductor and Quantum computing are becoming the new engines of growth. In a way, innovation is becoming a mass movement.

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments. Nearly 50% of the world's real-time digital transactions take place in India. I congratulate Trinidad & Tobago for being the first country in the region to adopt UPI. Now sending money will be as easy as sending a ‘good morning’ text message! And I promise, it will be faster than West Indies bowling.

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Friends,

Our Mission Manufacturing is working to make India a manufacturing hub. We have become the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer. We are exporting railway locomotives to the world.

Our defence exports have increased 20-fold in just the last decade. We are not just making in India. We are making for the world. As we grow, we are ensuring that it is of mutual benefit to the world.

Friends,

Today’s India is a land of opportunities. Whether it is business, tourism, education, or healthcare, India has a lot to offer.

Your ancestors took a long and difficult journey, over a 100 days across the seas, to reach here – Saat Samandar Par! Today, that same journey takes just a few hours. I encourage you all to visit India more, in person, not just virtually on social media!

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Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk the soil they walked on. Bring your children, bring your neighbours. Bring anyone who enjoys chai and a good story. We will welcome you all – with open arms, warm hearts, and jalebi!

With these words, I thank you all once again for the love and affection you have shown to me.

I specially thank Prime Minister Kamla Ji for honouring me with your highest national award.

बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद.

Namaskar !
Sita Ram !
Jai Shri Ram !