Time to devote oneself to Rashtra Kaaj from Ram Kaaj: PM Modi

Recalling his exhortation at Monday’s Pran Pratishtha that this is the time to devote oneself to the Rashtra Kaaj from Ram Kaaj, Modi underlined the global expectations from India.

“Our aim is to make India a developed nation by the year 2047. Our goal is to make India economically prosperous, culturally strong, and strategically capable. For this, it is important that within the coming five years, we become the third-largest economic power in the world. And this goal is not far from our reach,” he said.

The Prime Minister, in the presence of Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy and Ministers of State Meenakshi Lekhi, Arjun Meghwal, and Ajay Bhatt, said, “In the last 10 years because of the efforts and encouragement of the entire country, about 25 crore Indians have come out of poverty. India, today is achieving goals, which were not even imagined to be achieved earlier.”

Elaborating on the steps taken in the last 10 years to make India’s defence manufacturing self-reliant, the PM mentioned creation of a vibrant domestic defence industry. “India, which was once the world’s largest defence importer, is now joining the (club of) world’s largest defence exporters,” he said.

He said that today’s India is busy connecting the entire world as a “Vishwa Mitra” and it is working forward to provide solutions to the world’s challenges. PM Modi reiterated that while on the one hand, India is trying to forge a path from war to peace for the world, the nation is also prepared to protect national interests.

Modi, however, lamented the attack on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ideology post-Independence, as he mentioned how nepotism and favouritism made in-roads into Indian democracy, which slowed down the country’s development.

Pointing out that a huge section of society was deprived of opportunities and basic necessities meant for their upliftment, Modi said the clout of a handful of families on political, economic, and development policies led to women and youth of the country suffering huge losses.

He recalled the difficulties faced by the women and youth of the time and emphasised the spirit of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” since 2014. “Everyone can see the results of the last 10 years,” Modi said.

“In line with the vision of the Prime Minister to take steps to duly honour the contribution of luminaries who played a significant role in the freedom struggle, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was started being celebrated as Parakram Diwas in 2021,” the PMO said in a statement.

On Tuesday evening, Modi also launched “Bharat Parv”, which will be held till January 31, to showcase the country’s rich diversity with Republic Day tableaux and cultural exhibits featuring efforts of 26 ministries and departments, highlighting citizen-centric initiatives, vocal for local, diverse tourist attractions, among others.

Earlier in the day, Modi extended greetings to the people on Parakram Diwas. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “Greetings to the people of India on Parakram Diwas. Today on his Jayanti, we honour the life and courage of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His unwavering dedication to our nation’s freedom continues to inspire.”