English rendering of PM’s address at the Viksit Bharat-Viksit Goa Programme

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!

The Governor of Goa, P.S. Sreedharan Pillai ji, the youthful Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet, other dignitaries, and my dear brothers and sisters of Goa. My heartiest greetings to all Goans! May your love and blessings always be upon me!

Friends,

Goa is known for its beautiful beaches and natural beauty. It is the favourite holiday destination for millions of tourists from the country and abroad. In any season, one can experience the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ here. Along with this, Goa also has another identity. This land of Goa has given birth to many great saints, famous artists, and scholars. Today, I also want to remember them. Personalities like Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye, the pioneer playwright Krishna Bhatt Bandhkar, Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar, Acharya Dharmanand Kosambi, and Raghunath Mashelkar have enriched the identity of Goa. Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar ji had a deep connection with the Mangeshi Temple, located a short distance from here. Today is also the death anniversary of Lata Didi. I offer my heartfelt tribute to her. It was here in Madgaon’s Damodar Sal that Swami Vivekananda found new inspiration. The historic Lohia Maidan here is evidence that the people of Goa leave no stone unturned when it comes to doing something for the country. The Chieftain’s Memorial in Cuncolim is a symbol of Goa’s bravery.

Friends,

An important event is also going to take place this year. This year, there will be an exposition of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, known as “Goencho Saib”. This exposition, which takes place every two years, gives us a message of peace and goodwill. I remember mentioning Saint Queen Ketevan of Georgia in Mann Ki Baat as well. When our Foreign Minister took the holy relics of Saint Queen Ketevan to Georgia, it seemed as if the entire country had come out onto the streets. High-ranking government officials were present at the airport. The way the Christian community and people of other religions live together in Goa is a wonderful example of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.

Friends,

Just a while ago, the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of development projects worth 1300 crore rupees for Goa took place. These projects related to education, healthcare, and tourism will further accelerate the development of Goa. Today, the inauguration of the campuses of the National Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Water Sports has taken place here. This will enhance the convenience for both students and educators. The inauguration of the Integrated Waste Management Facility today will help in keeping Goa clean. More than 1900 young people were given appointment letters for government jobs today. I congratulate everyone for these welfare initiatives.

My family members,

Goa may be small in terms of geographical area and population, but our Goa is vast in terms of social diversity. People belonging to different communities, adhering to different religions, live together here, spanning across generations. Therefore, when the people of Goa repeatedly choose the BJP government, it sends a message to the entire country. The BJP’s mantra is “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. Some parties in the country have always engaged in spreading fear and lies among the people. But Goa has given a resounding reply to such parties time and again.

Friends,

For so many years, the ruling BJP government of Goa has developed a model of good governance. The way Goa is giving momentum to the “Swayampurna Goa” campaign is truly unprecedented. As a result, today the people of Goa are counted among the happiest people in the country. Due to the double engine government, the development of Goa is progressing rapidly. Goa is the state where 100 per cent of households have access to piped water. Goa is the state where 100 per cent of households have electricity connections. Goa is the state where household LPG coverage has reached 100 per cent. Goa is the state which is entirely kerosene-free. Goa has become a state completely free from open defecation. Goa has achieved 100 per cent saturation in many of the central government’s flagship schemes.

And we all know, when saturation happens, discrimination ends. When saturation happens, every beneficiary receives the full benefit. When saturation happens, people do not have to give bribes to get their rights. That’s why I repeatedly say that saturation is true secularism. Saturation is true social justice. This saturation is the guarantee of Modi to Goa and the country. For the same goal of saturation, the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was launched in the country. In Goa too, more than 30,000 people were associated with this campaign. Those who were still deprived of government schemes have also benefited greatly from Modi’s guaranteed vehicle.

Brothers and sisters,

A few days ago, the budget that was unveiled has also strengthened our commitment to saturation and serving the poorest of the poor. You know that we have already fulfilled the goal of providing pucca houses to 4 crore poor families. Now our guarantee is that we will provide homes to 2 crore more families. And I also say to my fellow Goans, if any family in your village, in your area, is still living in a makeshift hut, tell them that Modi ji came and Modi ji has guaranteed that your house will also become pucca. The expansion of the PM Awas Yojana has been announced in this year’s budget. We have also expanded the Ayushman Yojana, which provides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. Now, ASHA and Anganwadi workers have also been guaranteed free treatment.

Friends,

A lot of attention has also been given to our fishermen friends in this year’s budget. Assistance under the Matsya Sampada Yojana will now be increased further. This will provide fishermen with more facilities and resources. This will lead to a significant increase in seafood exports and fishermen will earn more money. Such efforts are likely to create lakhs of new jobs in the fisheries sector. 

Friends,

The amount of work our government has done for the benefit of fishermen is unparalleled. We were the ones who created a separate ministry, a separate department for fishermen. We were the ones who provided fishermen with the facility of a farmer credit card. Our government has increased the insurance amount for fishermen from one lakh rupees to five lakh rupees. Our government is also providing subsidies to modernize their boats.

Brothers and sisters,

The BJP’s double-engine government is not only running major schemes for the welfare of the poor but also making record investments in infrastructure. You can see for yourself how rapidly roads, railways, and airports are expanding in the country. This year’s budget has allocated 11 lakh crore rupees for this purpose, whereas just 10 years ago, less than 2 lakh crore rupees were spent on infrastructure. Wherever development projects are underway, new employment opportunities are being created, leading to increased income for everyone.

Friends,

Our government is not only working to improve connectivity in Goa but also striving to make it a logistic hub. The establishment of the Manohar International Airport in Goa has facilitated continuous national and international flights. Last year, the inauguration of the country’s second-longest cable bridge, the New Zuari Bridge, took place. The rapid development of infrastructure in Goa, including new roads, bridges, railway routes, and educational institutions, is going to accelerate the pace of development in the region.

Friends,

Bharat has always been rich in terms of nature, culture, and heritage. People travel to different countries for different types of tourism around the world. All kinds of tourism are available in Bharat on one visa. But the government that was in power before 2014 did not pay much attention to all this. Previous governments did not have a vision for the development of tourist destinations, our coastal areas, or the islands. Due to the lack of good roads, trains, and airports, many tourist destinations remained unknown. In the last 10 years, we have made efforts to overcome all these shortcomings. The double engine government of Goa is also expanding tourism opportunities here. Our endeavour is to promote eco-tourism in the rural areas of Goa. This will directly benefit the people living in those areas. When tourists reach the villages of Goa, there will be more job opportunities there. After the construction of the ropeway connecting Panaji to Reis Magos, the number of tourists here will increase. Along with this project, modern facilities will also be developed. With facilities like food courts, restaurants, waiting rooms, this will become a new attraction centre in Goa.

Friends,

Our government is now developing Goa as a new type of tourist destination as well. This is known as conference tourism. Just this morning, I was at an event for India Energy Week. Goa has also hosted several important meetings of the G-20. In recent years, Goa has also hosted major diplomatic meetings. The World Table Tennis Championship, World Beach Volleyball Tour, FIFA Under-17 Women’s Football World Cup, the 37th National Games… All these events were also hosted in Goa. With each such event, the name and identity of Goa is reaching the whole world. The double engine government is aiming to make Goa a major centre for such events in the near future. And as you know, with each such event, the people of Goa get employment, and their income increases.

Friends,

The modern sports infrastructure developed in Goa for the National Games will also greatly benefit the sports persons and athletes here. I have been told that during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Goa, the athletes from Goa who participated in the National Games were also honoured. I congratulate every young athlete from Goa once again.

And friends,

When we talk about sports, who can forget football in Goa? Even today, football players from Goa, the football clubs here, have their own identity in the country and the world. For invaluable contributions to sports like football, our government honoured Brahmanand Sankhwalkar with the Padma award two years ago. Today, our government is promoting various sports, including football, in Goa through initiatives like Khelo India.

Friends,

In addition to sports and tourism, Goa has gained another identity nationwide in recent years. Our government is promoting Goa as a major educational hub. Several institutions here have become dream institutes for students from across the country. The new institutions that have started today will also prepare the youth of Goa for new opportunities emerging in the country. Our government has also made an important announcement in the budget for the youth. A fund of 1 lakh crore rupees will be set up for research and innovation. This will promote innovation in the field of technology, benefiting the industry and our youth.

Brothers and sisters,

For the rapid development of Goa, ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort) is necessary. I have full confidence in all the families of Goa. I believe that with Modi’s guarantee, the life of every family in Goa will improve. Once again, I congratulate you all on these developmental works.

Thank you very much!

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!

 

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

 

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DS/VJ/VK/AK