Addressing the grand finale stage of India Today Conclave 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted his administration's achievements, describing how it's progressing towards a developed India. He emphasized that his efforts are not just for 2029, but for the vision of India in 2047.
PM Modi said, 'In the past decade, we've repealed over 1500 outdated laws, some dating back to the British era, to ensure citizens' lives are free of governmental pressure and deprivation. By 2047, I aim to remove the government's intrusive role in people's lives, offering them the open skies to lead their lives.'
He asserted that despite the world being caught in a whirlpool of uncertainty, there's a clear sentiment that India will continue its rapid development. 'Today, the nation's mood is set for building a developed India. Whenever I attend such conclaves, there's an expectation for headline-grabbing phrases, but I'm a man who works on deadlines, not headlines,' he declared.
PM Modi Discusses PSU Benefits
PM Modi mentioned the recently launched PM-Surya Ghar Scheme, which provides citizens with ₹78,000 to install solar panels at home. Over 1 million people have already availed it, gaining access to free electricity and can even sell excess power back to the government.
'I'm here to carve lines in stone, not in butter. I want to hand over a prosperous India to your children. To understand our governance model, look at our PSUs. There are very few PSUs that benefit the nation, most lead to waste. Look at what BHEL and LIC have become today. HAL now has Asia's biggest helicopter manufacturing facility, thanks to our government's steps. PSU profits have been consistently rising, with their net worth skyrocketing from ₹9.5 million to ₹78 trillion over ten years,' PM Modi explained.
PM Highlights Startup Ecosystem
Commenting on the startup sector, PM Modi stated, 'A decade ago, there were only a few hundred startups, and now we have approximately 125,000 registered startups. The identification of India's startup revolution isn't limited to this; startups now span across 600 districts, marking the leadership of youth from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in this uprising. Youth from smaller cities have given new velocity to India's startup revolution. Even those political parties that never spoke of startups are now compelled to discuss them. Ground-level changes in employment are striking, and schemes like Mudra are underpinning these transformations. We have guaranteed loans to young people lacking collateral. Under this scheme, ₹26 trillion in Mudra loans have been disbursed.'
Story Behind Implementing the PM SVANidhi Scheme
Mentioning the PM SVANidhi Scheme, PM Modi shared, 'This scheme has provided easy loans to street vendors without any collateral. It's born from my experience - I've seen the wealth of the poor and the poverty of the rich. My dream was to support street vendors...During the COVID era, I witnessed the hardship they faced and decided to help them. As India's digital revolution unfolds, these street vendors are playing a significant role.'
The first day of the conclave saw participation from prominent figures including Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy with his author wife Sudha Murthy, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey, former Union Minister P Chidambaram, Indrani Mukerjea, and actor Samantha Prabhu.
Highlighted the Healthcare Revolution
PM Modi discussed the Ayushman Bharat scheme, known in villages as the 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir'. With over 1.5 million such health centers, he noted that the temples of health were addressing common medical needs and providing early testing for serious diseases. He added, 'We're ensuring this service reaches the poorest in rural areas. Through e-Sanjeevani App, over 240 million people have received home-based consultations...Over the past decade, we've developed a governance model that prioritizes those often last on the list, improving life quality across aspirational districts.'
The Prime Minister also endorsed the recent work of the Ministry of Cooperation and the benefits of Ease of Living introduced by his government, explicitly saving citizens around ₹2.5 trillion. Initiatives like the Mudra scheme, Svanidhi Scheme, discounts in railway tickets, and the Swachh Bharat Mission have collectively saved money for common people.
Determined to Fulfill Resolutions
PM Modi remarked, 'Now is the time of elections. Our opposition is weaving dreams on paper. Modi progresses with resolutions, not just dreams. I am confident that the next five years will see India become the world's third-largest economic power. The defense sector will also reach new heights. You will witness a revolution in the semiconductor industry...I have already begun working toward fulfilling these resolutions, and I will return to the India Today Conclave to discuss them again.'
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The conclusion of the first day of the conclave was marked with a speech from Amit Shah, who responded confidently to various questions posed. Among the issues, he defended the electoral bond scheme, designed to eradicate black money, and his statement on the Citizenship Amendment Act reinforced the stance that both Hindus and Muslims from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir are our own people.
Note that the India Today Conclave is a forum for influential voices from different fields, reflecting the dynamic development of India among global challenges. Not just politicians, but celebrities from entertainment, sports, business and global domains have been participants. Chairman of India Today Group Arun Puri launched this year's conclave, reinforcing the expanding and deepening essence of 'India's Moment' initiated last year.
