Narendra Modi in Kochi on Sunday.PM Modi in Tamil Nadu, Kerala Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the support of the country’s citizens in fight against Covid-19 pandemic. “Powered by 130 crore Indians, our fight against Covid-19 has been spirited,” he said at the launch of various developmental projects in Kerala’s Kochi. While delivering his speech in the poll-bound state, he also focussed on tourism sector and urged startups to come up with innovative tourism-related products. “I urge our young start-up friends to think about innovative tourism related products. I also urge you all to use this time and travel to as many nearby areas as possible,” he said.
Earlier in the day, he hailed the new developmental projects inaugurated in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai as “symbols of innovation and indigenous development,” and a step towards “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” Addressing a gathering at Jawaharlal Stadium in Chennai, Modi also appreciated Tamil Nadu farmers for “record food grain production and use of water resources.”
On the second anniversary of the 2019 Pulwama Attack ,the Prime Minister paid his respects soldiers who lost their lives. “No Indian can forget this day. We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack,” PM said.
Before his address, Modi inaugurated and flagged off the train on the extended Phase 1 Chennai Metro Rail Project, completed at a cost of Rs 3,770 crore, and commissioned passenger services from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar. This project, Modi said, was completed on time despite Covid pandemic. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System and the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras.
Earlier in the day, Modi handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane during his visit to Chennai.
"In the last few years, the govt of various gulf nations have also kindly released various Indians who were sadly in prisons there. Our govt will always speak up for such people," says PM Modi.
"India is proud of its diaspora in the gulf. It has been an honour to be able to spend time with them during my previous visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain. I shared meals with them and interacted with them. Over 50 lakh Indians came back home under the Vande Bharat Mission. Many of them were from Kerala. It was our govt's honour to serve them in such a sensitive time," says PM Modi.
"Our actions today will shape the growth trajectory in years to come... Together we will build an Atmanirbhar Bharat," PM Modi says.
"India is giving topmost importance to develop its blue economy. Our vision and work in this sector includes improving infrastructure on current ports, more ports, offshore energy, sustainable coastal development and coastal connectivity," says PM Modi.
"Powered by 130 crore Indians, our fight against Covid-19 has been spirited," says PM Modi.
"Special focus is being given to coastal areas, the Northeast and mountain areas. Today, Special focus is being given to coastal areas, the Northeast and mountain areas. Today, India is embarking on an ambitious programme of broadband connectivity to every village," PM Modi says.
"VIGYAN Sagar is the new knowledge campus of the Cochin Shipyard. Through this, we're expanding our human resource development capital," PM Modi says.
"Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical complex of Kochi Refinery will help strengthen our journey towards being Atmanirbhar. A wide range of industries would gain employment opportunities," says PM Modi.
"I urge our young start-up friends to think about innovative tourism related products. I also urge you all to use this time and travel to as many nearby areas as possible," say PM Modi.
Watch | PM Modi's speech in Kochi
"Tourism sector in India grew a lot in last five years," PM Modi said.
"We have gathered here to celebrate the development of Kerala and India. The works being inaugurated today cover a wide range of sectors. They will energize the growth trajectory of India," says PM Narendra Modi in Kochi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates various development projects to the nation, at Kochi.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presents various Central Government projects to the nation in Kochi
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 4th Railway line between Chennai Beach & Attipattu and electrification of 228 km Villupuram-Cuddalore-Mayiladuthurai-Thanjavur & Mayiladuthurai - Thiruvarur single line section. This will help ensure faster movement of food grains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Kochi, where he will launch key projects. PM Modi landed at Kochi naval airport.
"Caught a fleeting view of an interesting test match in Chennai," writes PM Modi as he shares a picture of the Chepauk stadium.
From Chennai, the prime minister will travel to Kochi at around 3:30 pm to launch projects in the presence of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan.