Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat entered its second day on Tuesday (October 31) where he paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar this morning on his birth anniversary. He is on a two-day visit to his home state.
PM Modi took part in the 'National Unity Day' celebration in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar and administered the 'National Unity Day' pledge to the people on the occasion.
PM Modi addresses on the occasion
The Prime Minister extended greetings to the nation on National Unity Day and paid tributes to the Iron-Man of India.
"I bow down to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Next 25 years are most important for our country. We have to make India developed in the next 25 years. The entire world is looking at India. The world is surprised by looking at India's capabilities at G20 (Summit). We are proud that amid all global problems, our borders are secure. We are proud that in the next few years, we will become the third largest economy in the world," he said.
"The excitement of all the youths and bravehearts here is a big strength of this National Unity Day," the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi mentioned the revocation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 and said that Sardar Patel would be happy with the move of the government and shower his blessing upon the country for the step taken.
"Who had thought that Kashmir would be free from Article 370? But Article 370 has been revoked. Wherever Sardar Patel would be now, he would be blessing us. Today the Kashmiri people are coming out of terrorism and living freely and contributing to the progress of the country," he said.
PM Modi flagged the challenges to the internal security in the country and said that the enemies of the country have not been able to be successful because of our alert forces.
"In five years, over 13.5 crore people have moved out of poverty which has given us confidence that we can finish poverty in the country. Sardar Patel was very strict on the internal security of the country. There have been challenges to internal security in the last 9 years, but our security forces have been alert because of this the enemies of the country have not been able to be successful unlike before," he said.
PM hits out at appeasement politics
The Prime Minister took on the people indulging in appeasement politics and accused them of "standing by" the enemies of humanity.
"Those practicing appeasement, cannot see the seriousness of terrorism. They are not hesitating in standing by the enemies of humanity. They hesitate to conduct a probe into the terrorist activities. They refrain from tightening the screws against the anti-national elements. The thoughts of appeasement are so dangerous that they even knock on the doors of courts to save the terrorists. People have to be aware of such thoughts," he said.
He cautioned the people against people endulging in appeasement politics and said in an apparent reference to the Opposition's grand alliance that they are adopting methods which go against the country.
"Lok Sabha elections are going to be held next year. There is a political faction in the country that cannot see any positive politics. Unfortunately, this political faction is adopting methods that are against the society and country. Even if the unity of the country shatters, their selfishness is at the top. If the country is aware of them, only then it can be developed," he said.
PM Modi offered prayers at Goddess Amba temple
He offered prayers at the Goddess Amba temple in Ambaji town in the Banaskantha district. A video titled "Meri Mitti, Mera Deash," throwing light on the history, bravery and tradition of the centuries-old temple, situated at Veraval in Gir Somnath district, was launched by Modi on the occasion, the trust said in a statement.
Earlier yesterday, the Prime Minister met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's son Anuj, who had suffered a brain stroke in May, and inquired about his health.
"Today popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited my son and inquired about his health. He boosted confidence of Anuj and provided confidence to family members. I am thankful to the Prime Minister," Bhupendra Patel posted on X.
(With PTI inputs)
