Present on the stage, the Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh ji, popular Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde ji, sons of the soil who are striving hard for the bright future for Maharashtra, Shri Devendraji, Nitinji, Raosaheb Danve, Dr. Bharati Tai and my dear brothers and sisters of Nagpur who have come here in such large numbers!

(Remarks in local language).

Today, December 11, marks the auspicious day of Sankashti Chaturthi. Today a great constellation of 11 stars is emerging for the development of Maharashtra.

The first star- 'Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samridhi Mahamarg' which is now ready for Nagpur and Shirdi. The second star is Nagpur AIIMS, which will benefit the people of a large portion of Vidarbha. Third star- National Institute of One Health is being established in Nagpur. Fourth star - ICMR's research centre built in Chandrapur for controlling blood related diseases. The fifth star is the establishment of CIPET Chandrapur, which is very crucial for the petrochemical sector. The sixth star is the project to reduce the pollution of the Nag river in Nagpur. Seventh Star – Inauguration of Metro Phase One in Nagpur and laying the foundation stone of Phase II. Eighth Star- Vande Bharat Express, that was flagged off today between Nagpur and Bilaspur. The ninth star is the 'Nagpur' and 'Ajni' railway station redevelopment project. The tenth star- inauguration of the 'maintenance depot for the 12 thousand horse power rail engine' in Ajni. The eleventh star is the inauguration of the Kohli-Narkher route of the Nagpur-Itarsi line. This great constellation of eleven stars will give a new direction and a fresh energy to the development of Maharashtra. Heartiest congratulations to Maharashtra and the people of Maharashtra for these development projects worth Rs 75 thousand crores in the Amrit Mahotsav of 75 years of independence.

Friends,

Today's event showcases the evidence of the speed with which the double engine government is working in Maharashtra. Apart from reducing the distance between Nagpur and Mumbai, the 'Samruddhi Mahamarg' is connecting 24 districts of Maharashtra with modern means of connectivity. This is going to be of great benefit to agriculture, the devotees visiting various pilgrim centres and the industries. Besides, new employment opportunities are going to be created.

Friends,

This day is special for another reason. The holistic vision of infrastructure development is visible in the schemes that have been inaugurated today. AIIMS is a different kind of infrastructure in itself, and the 'Samruddhi Mahamarg' is a different kind of infrastructure. Similarly, both Vande Bharat Express and Nagpur Metro have different types of 'character use infrastructure'. But all of them are like different flowers in a single bouquet, from where the fragrance of development will reach the masses.

In this bouquet of development, there is also a reflection of the extensive garden developed with the last 8 years' hard work. Be it health care for the common man, or wealth creation,be it empowering the farmers or conserving water, for the first time there is such a government in the country which has given a human form to the infrastructure.

This 'human nature' of the infrastructure is touching everyone's life today. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh to every poor, is an example of our social infra. The development of our spiritual places like Kashi, Kedarnath, Ujjain, Pandharpur is an example of our cultural infra.

The Jan Dhan Yojana, connecting more than 45 crore poor people to the banking system, is an example of our financial infrastructure. The campaign to open modern hospitals like Nagpur AIIMS and medical colleges in every district are examples of our medical infrastructure. And the thing that is common in all of these initiatives is the element of human emotions, Human Touch and sensitivity. We cannot limit infrastructure to lifeless roads and flyovers. Its expansion is far beyond that.

And friends,

If there is no emotion in the work of infrastructure, or it does not have a human touch, and only bricks, stones, cement, lime and iron are visible, then the people of the country, the common man, have to bear its loss. I would like to give you the example of Gosekhurd Dam. The foundation of this dam was laid about 30-35 years ago. At that time its estimated cost was around Rs 400 crore. But due to insensitive working style before, that dam could not be completed for years. Now the estimated cost of the dam has increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 18,000 crore. After the formation of the double engine government in 2017, the work on this dam has been accelerated and every problem has been resolved. I am glad that this year this dam has been completely filled. Just imagine! It took more than three decades to complete it. The villages and the farmers are finally able to reap its benefits.

Brothers & Sisters,

In the 'Azadi Ka AmritKaal', the country is moving forward with the great resolve of a developed India. To build a developed India, we need the collective strength of India. The mantra to build a developed India is the development of the states for the development of the nation. As per our experience of the past decades, when we limit development, opportunities also get limited. When education was limited to only a few people, only a few classes, the talent of the nation also could not come to the fore completely. When only a few people had access to banks, even trade and business also remained limited. When better connectivity was limited to only a few cities, even growth was limited to the same extent. That is, not only a large section of the country's population was deprived of the fruits of development but the real strength of India too could not emerge. In the last 8 years, we have changed both this thinking and approach. We are stressing upon 'Sabka Sath, sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'. And when I say everyone's effort, it includes every countryman and every state of the country. Be it small or big, if everyone's potential or capability increases, only then India will become developed. That's why we are encouraging the backward and the deprived. This section of the population is now the priority of our government.

That's why today work is being done on a priority basis for small farmers. The farmers of Vidarbha have also got a major benefit of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. It is our government which has prioritized the cattle herders by connecting them with the facility of Kisan Credit Cards. Our street vendors were also a very neglected section of the society. They too were deprived. Today, after we prioritized lakhs of such friends, they are now getting easy loans from the banks.

Friends,

Another example of 'priority to the deprived section' is the aspirational districts. There were more than 100 districts in the country which were far behind on many parameters of development even after so many decades of independence. Most of these were tribal areas and areas affected by violence. Many districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha are also included in these. For the last 8 years, we have been emphasizing on making such deprived areas of the country a new focal point of energy for rapid development. The projects that have been inaugurated and the foundation stones laid today are also a manifestation of this thinking and approach.

Friends,

As I am speaking to you today, I also want to caution the people of Maharashtra and the people of the country about a distortion entering the politics of India. This is about short-cut politics; this is about looting the country's wealth for political gains; this is about looting the hard earned money of the taxpayers.

These political parties that adopt shortcuts and such political leaders are the greatest enemies of every tax payer of the country. Those who aim to just be in power and to usurp the government by making false promises can never build the country. Today, at a time when India is working on the goals for the next 25 years, some political parties, in their personal interest, want to destroy India's economy.

We all might remember that during the first industrial revolution, India could not take advantage of it. We remained behind even in the second and third industrial revolutions as well. But today during the fourth industrial revolution, India cannot miss it. Let me say it again - such an opportunity will not come again and again for any country. No country can run with short-cuts. Permanent development and permanent solutions are needed for the progress of the country. So, a long term vision is very crucial. And infrastructure is at the core of sustainable development.

Once South Korea was also a poor country but that country has changed its fortune through infrastructure. Today, the Gulf countries are so far ahead and lakhs of Indians get employment there because they too have strengthened and modernized their infrastructure in the last three-four decades. They have future-ready infrastructure.

You would know that today the people of India feel like going to Singapore. Until a few decades ago, Singapore was also an ordinary island country. Some people used to earn their livelihood from fisheries. But Singapore invested in infrastructure, followed the right economic policies and today it has become such a major hub of the world's economy. If short-cut politics had taken place in these countries, if the taxpayers' money had been looted, then these countries would never have reached the height they are at today. Lately, this opportunity has now come to India. During the regimes of the previous governments, the money given by the honest tax payers of our country was either lost to corruption or was spent in strengthening the vote bank. Now the need of the hour is to ensure that every penny of the government exchequer i.e. the capital of the country should be spent on building a bright future for the young generation.

Today I would urge every youngster and taxpayer in India to expose such selfish political parties and political leaders. The political parties which are following the principle of “Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya”, i.e., ‘expenditure far more surpassing than income’, will make this country hollow from within. In many countries of the world, we have seen the entire economy falling apart due to such a policy. Together we have to save India from such 'short-cut' politics. We must remember that on one hand we have selfish and directionless politics and policy of reckless spending, while on the other hand, we have the spirit of dedication and national interest, as well as relentless efforts for permanent development and solutions. We cannot let go of the opportunity that has come to the youth of India today.

And I am glad that today the common man is extending tremendous support for sustainable development and permanent solutions in the country. The last week's results in Gujarat are the result of the economic policy and development strategy of sustainable development and permanent solutions.

I would humbly and respectfully like to say to the politicians who adopt shortcuts - understand the vision of sustainable development, and understand its importance for the country today. Instead of using shortcuts, you can win elections by taking steps towards sustainable development. You can win elections again and again. I want to tell such parties that you need not be afraid. I am sure, when you keep the interest of the country paramount, you will definitely be able to leave the path of shortcut politics.

Brothers & Sisters,

I once again congratulate the people of Maharashtra and the people of the country for these projects. And let me tell my young friends - these 11 stars which I have talked about today are going to shape your future and will generate new opportunities for you. Come, let us dedicate ourselves with complete devotion with the mantra of – "इसहा पंथा, इसहा पंथा" - this is the right way, this is the right way! Friends, we will not let go of this opportunity that awaits us in these 25 years.

Thanks a lot!

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/VJ/IG/AK