Underlining India’s contribution to the world during the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Parliament that we didn’t shy away from any of our global concerns and commitments, whetheritwasCOP26, a G20-related matter or the export of medicines to over 150 countries. At the same time, the people of India took the vaccine to protect not just themselves but also others. Such conduct, in the midst of so many global anti-vaccine movements, is admirable, he said. Meanwhile, the Government didn’t lose sight of the MSME and agriculture sectors and other welfare measures, emphasizing the PM.
In his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address to Parliament in the Rajya Sabha on February 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about India’s future. “This is a very important time to think, where to take the nation and how to take the nation ahead when it celebrates 100 years of Independence,” he said. He pointed out that in order to complete the resolution for this we will need collective partnership and collective ownership.
The Prime Minister said that the world is still battling Covid-19. Humanity has not seen any challenge like this in the last hundred years. The people of India have taken the vaccine and they have done this not merely to protect themselves but also to protect others. Such conduct, in the midst of so many global anti-vaccine movements, is admirable.
The Prime Minister said that people kept raising questions about India’s progress at this time of the pandemic but India ensured 80 crore citizens get access to free ration. It was also ensured that a record number of houses are being built for the poor; these houses are equipped with water connections.
During this pandemic we have provided water through taps to 5 crore people and created a new record, the Prime Minister said. Because of our rational approach, our farmers produced bumper harvests during the pandemic. We completed many infrastructure-related projects during the pandemic because we believe that such projects ensure jobs in such challenging times. During this pandemic, our youth have made huge strides in sports and brought glory to the nation. Indian youth, with their start-ups, have made India become one of the top three startups destinations in the world, he added.
The Prime Minister said that during this pandemic whether it was COP26, a G20-related matter, or something related to the export of medicine in more than 150 countries, India played a leadership role and the whole world was discussing this. He emphasized that India focused more on the MSME and agriculture sectors during the pandemic.
While giving data on employment, the Prime Minister said that in 2021, the EPFO payroll data shows that around 1.2 crores more people enrolled themselves on the EPFO portal. These all are formal jobs; out of these, around 60 to 65 lakh are aged between 18 and 25, which means that it is their first job.
While speaking on the nation, the Prime Minister said that we have tried our best to check the price rise. When we compare this with nations in other economies, we can say that today India is the only big economy that is experiencing high growth with medium nations.
We have to work for people irrespective of which side of the aisle we are on, the Prime Minister said. The mindset that being in the Opposition means stopping working towards solving people’s issues is wrong.
Modi said that he felt astonished when some Members of Parliament said that India’s vaccination drive was no big deal. He said that from the beginning of the pandemic the Government has made every effort to mobilize every resource available in the country and the world. He also assured everyone that till the pandemic exists, the Government would protect the poor of the nation.
The Prime Minister said that ghting Covid19 was also linked to a strong and cordial federal structure. There have been 23 meetings with Chief Ministers on the issue.
He expressed grief over the boycott of the Opposition parties to attend the all-party meeting on the Covid-19 issue. Today more than 80,000 health and wellness centers are functioning in the country under Ayushman Bharat, the Prime Minister said. These centers are providing better primary healthcare facilities including free tests near the village and home.
While speaking on democracy, the Prime Minister said that the Government doesn’t need to learn lessons in democracy from those who trampled over democracy in 1975. The biggest threat to our democracy is dynastic parties. When one family gets too prevalent in a political party, political talent suffers.
The Prime Minister said, “Some Members asked, ‘if there was no Congress, what would happen? I would like to say, ‘if there was no Congress there would be no Emergency, there would be no caste politics, Sikhs would never have been massacred, the problems of Kashmiri Pandits would not have happened.”
We do not see any contact between national progress and regional aspirations, the Prime Minister said. India’s progress will be stronger when it addresses regional aspirations keeping in mind the development of the country. When our states progress, the country progresses, he added.
e Prime Minister concluded his speech by saying that we should end the tradition of differentiation. To walk together with the same mindset is the need of time, said, added that a golden period is imminent. e whole world is looking forward to India with hope and we should not lose this opportunity, he said.
