Pointers From PM Modi's Speech at News18 Rising India Summit

India | News18 | March 19, 2018, 1:06 pm

A Rising India is not just about the economy or the GDP, it’s about the self-respect of 125 crore Indians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the News18 Rising India Summit. He also added that the collective willpower of the people is shaping a New India. (Image: News18)

PM also cited the key projects like Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Gas Scheme, drive to weed out black money as examples. (Image: News18)

Narendra Modi also devoted a significant part of his address drawing attention to his government's ‘Act East, Act Fast’ thrust for the development of eastern India at the News18 Rising India Summit. (Image: News18)

but I have brought Delhi to the doorsteps of the North East," the PM said. (Image: News18)

PM Modi’s decision to spend considerable time of his speech on initiatives in the East in the past 46 months indicated the region's centrality in emerging political strategy as he prepares for the next parliamentary elections. (Image: NEws18)

From importing to having excess coal, from gasping for natural gas to striding towards the construction of gas grids and strengthening the renewable energy sector in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set an ambitious target of India becoming an energy surplus state by 2022 while addressing the News18 Rising India Summit. (Image: News18)

"Today, we are moving towards an energy surplus status. We are also moving towards our dream of One Nation, One Grid. By 2022 we will have excess energy in the country," said Modi. (Image: News18)

PM Modi also highlighted the achievements of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. He said, "Ujjwala is not just changing kitchens but also the situation of crores of families." (Image: News18)

Modi pre-empted possible criticism from opponents who may accuse him of using the occasion to make a political pitch. He countered this argument in advance by stating, “Those who think that we are acting in this manner (emphasising on eastern India) to gather votes, are disconnected not just from ground reality but also public sentiment.” (Image: News18)

By terming east UP, Bihar and Jharkhand as part of eastern India, Modi has also attempted to symbolically 'break' it away from the traditional Hindi heartland. The region where, barring Bihar, the BJP is set for a direct contest with either the Congress or with a united opposition. (Image: News18)

Underscoring this strategy, Modi called for "emotional integration" of the region besides paying attention to its "demographic dividend". (Image: News18)

Prime Minister Modi also talked about the power and renewable ministries working together to achieve its target. (Image: News18)

The Prime Minister also hailed his government's efforts in increasing air connectivity in the country and constructing airports. "We are building 12 new airports in eastern India under UDAN. Six of these will be in Northeast. For the first time, a commercial flight landed in Sikkim," he said. (Image: News18)

Preventive and affordable healthcare with a supply-side intervention was also at the focus of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's keynote address at News18's Rising India Summit. (Image: News18)

He said, “So far, the Union Health Ministry had been working alone and came up with no solutions to better healthcare in India.” However, no silos, only solutions, has been his government's way forward, PM Modi said. (Image: News18)