Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the New India Youth conclave
Day after solving the problems of school students in a special townhall 'Pareeksha Per Charcha' in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed another townhall, wherein he aimed to help and inspire the youth of the nation. Addressing the New India Youth Conclave 2019 in Gujarat's Surat, the PM said that India was changing because Indians have decided to change. Three lakh companies were shut down after demonetisation and nobody thought black money could be curbed, he said.
In an apparent dig at the Gandhi-Nehru family, PM Modi said those who made the country tremble and turned it into a jail are now making rounds of courts. The prime minister said no one had thought that a 'chaiwalla' would challenge them.
"You are aware that they are out on bail, right? Those from their 'darbaars' (their courtiers) are making rounds of courts. I am confident, I have the blessings of the 125 crore people, no matter how many rounds of courts (they make), one day they would have to go. Those who have looted the country will have to return it," he said.
Virtually launching a campaign for the Lok Sabha polls, Modi said his government brought about a "change" replacing "disappointment with hope".
"You have seen four generations, whose name would make the country tremble. Such was their power they turned the country into a jail. No one had thought a 'chaiwalla' would challenge them," he said.
"Terrorists attacked Mumbai on 26/11. What happened after that? During our government's tenure, Uri (terror) attack took place. What happened after it? This (contrasting reactions) is the change," Modi said.
He credited voters for ensuring that this "change" came about in 2014.
"Your vote is the reason behind this change. It kept me busy for five years. Your one vote inspires me to do something for the country and as the time passed the hope replaced disappointment," he added.
Hitting out at the previous governments, Modi said the 10-year rule of the Congress-led coalition was marred by corruption, which had eaten into the system like "termites" and listed cases such as alleged coal scam and 2G spectrum.
"And you know up to where the 'G' goes," he said, attacking the Gandhis in a veiled manner.
When the NDA government came to power, Indian economy was at the 10th position in the world, now it is ranked 6th, the prime minister said.
"That day is not far when our economy will be ranked fifth," he added.
Culprits in rape cases are now hanged quickly after a speedy trial, he asserted.
He said his government is countering the Opposition's "negativity" with "positivity".
Earlier addressing a public rally in the city, PM Modi credited his government's demonetisation decision for bringing down prices of houses and making them affordable for the aspiring youth.
He also said that if the previous governments had to do the work that he has done so far, they would have needed "25 more years" for it.
The prime minister was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for extension of the new terminal at Surat airport in Gujarat.
"I was asked what has been the benefit of note ban decision. You should ask it to the youth, who could buy residential homes at affordable rates after the decision. Black money used to be parked in real estate sector, but with decisions like note ban and RERA, we put a check to it," Modi said.
He lauded the Civil Aviation Ministry's 'Udaan' (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme - a regional connectivity scheme that makes flying affordable for masses, saying it will boost development of the country's aviation sector.
The prime minister also said that during the last four years of NDA rule, his government constructed 1.30 crore houses while during the previous UPA rule, 25 lakh houses were built.
He also stated that for the last 30 years, the country had a "hung Parliament" due to which progress was affected. "But four years ago, people voted to give full majority after which the country is progressing rapidly," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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