The popular Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendrabhai Patel, my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Shri C. R. Patil ji, ministers of the state government, all the public representatives present here, and my brothers and sisters of Surat!  

How are you all? Are you doing well?  It is my privilege that the people of the country, and Gujarat, have given me the opportunity to serve as the Prime Minister for the third time. And this is my first visit to Surat after that. The one whom Gujarat nurtured, the nation embraced with love. I will always be indebted to you; you have played a significant role in shaping my life.  Today, as I have come to Surat, how can I not recall and witness the spirit of Surat? Work and charity—these are the two things that make Surat truly special. Supporting each other and celebrating everyone’s progress is something visible in every corner of Surat. Today’s program is a step forward in promoting this very spirit and sentiment of Surat.

Friends,

Surat is a leading city in Gujarat and the country in many aspects. Now, Surat is also taking the lead in the mission of ensuring food and nutrition security for the poor and underprivileged. The Food Security Saturation Campaign being carried out here in Surat will serve as an inspiration for other districts across the country.  This saturation campaign ensures that when 100% of the people receive benefits, it becomes a certainty. It guarantees no discrimination, no one is left behind, no resentment, and no exploitation. This initiative moves away from appeasement and evil practices, promoting the sacred spirit of complete satisfaction for all.  When the government itself reaches the beneficiaries' doorsteps, how can anyone be left out? And when no one is left out, no one feels neglected. Moreover, when the intention is to ensure benefits for everyone, those who try to exploit the system naturally run away.

Friends,

Due to this saturation approach, the administration here has identified over 2.25 lakh new beneficiaries. A large number of them include elderly mothers and sisters, senior citizens, widows, and ‘Divyangjan’ (differently-abled individuals). All of these friends have now been included in this initiative. From now on, these new family members will also receive free rations and nutritious food. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the beneficiaries.

Friends,

We have all heard the saying "Roti, Kapda, aur Makaan" (Food, Clothing, and Shelter). It emphasizes that food is even more important than clothing and shelter. When a poor person worries about food, what is their pain—it’s not something I need to read about in books; I can feel it. That is why, over the past years, our government has prioritized ensuring food security for the needy. If a poor household's stove remains unlit, if children go to bed hungry with tears in their eyes—this is something Bharat can no longer accept. That is why ensuring food and housing for every individual remains our top priority.

Friends,

Today, I feel satisfied that our government stands as a true companion of the poor, serving them with dedication. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when our citizens needed the most support, we launched the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana—a scheme driven by humanity, ensuring that every poor household's stove kept burning. This initiative is the world's largest and truly unique, and it continues to this day. I am glad that the Gujarat government has further expanded this scheme. By raising the income limit, Gujarat has ensured that more beneficiaries can avail its benefits. Today, the central government spends over 2.25 lakh crore rupees every year to ensure that every poor household’s stove keeps on burning. 

Friends,

Nutritious food plays a crucial role in the journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). Our goal is to ensure adequate nutrition for every family so that we can eradicate malnutrition and anemia from the country. Under the PM Poshan Scheme, around 12 crore school children receive nutritious meals. The Saksham Anganwadi Program takes care of the nutrition of young children, mothers, and pregnant women. Under the PM Matru Vandana Yojana, pregnant women receive financial assistance worth thousands of rupees to ensure proper nutrition.

Friends,

Nutrition is not just about good food; cleanliness is also a crucial aspect. That is why our government is putting great emphasis on sanitation. When it comes to cleanliness, Surat is always among the top-ranking cities whenever there is a national competition. Therefore, I congratulate the people of Surat.  

Friends,  

Our goal is for every city and every village in the country to continue working toward eliminating filth and maintaining hygiene.  Today, many global institutions acknowledge that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has significantly reduced diseases in villages.  Moreover, our C. R. Patil ji now oversees the country’s Jal Ministry, under which the Har Ghar Jal Abhiyan is being implemented. With clean water reaching every household, there has been a notable decline in many waterborne diseases.

Friends,

Today, our free ration scheme has made life easier for millions of people. Now, the rightful beneficiaries are receiving their full share of food grains. But 10 years ago, this was not possible. Can you imagine? Our country had over 5 crore fake ration cardholders! In Gujarat, we call them "Bhootia Cards" (ghost cards). There were 5 crore names of people who were never born and they had ration cards. These fake identities were being used to steal food meant for the poor, who were the real beneficiaries. But you all taught me this. So, what did I do? I eliminated them. We removed these 5 crore fake names from the system and linked the entire ration distribution system with Aadhaar Card. Now, when you visit a government ration shop, you get your rightful share. We have resolved another big problem related to ration cards.

In Surat, thousands of migrant workers from other states—Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh – work here. I can see their faces. There was a time where the ration card of a state was not applicable in another state. We resolved this problem. We implemented "One Nation, One Ration Card." Now, no matter where your ration card is issued, you can access your entitlement anywhere in the country. Many migrant workers in Surat are already benefiting from this. This is proof that when policies are made with the right intentions, they truly help the poor.

Friends,

Over the past decade, we have worked on a mission mode to empower the poor across the country. We have built a protective shield around the underprivileged, ensuring that they never have to beg or depend on anyone. Providing pucca houses, toilets, gas connections, and tap water connections has given the poor a new sense of confidence. After that, we created an insurance safety net for poor families. For the first time, nearly 60 crore Indians have been guaranteed free medical treatment up to 5 lakh rupees. Earlier, poor families could never think about life or accident insurance. But our government provided the insurance safety net to the poor and lower middle class people. Today, over 36 crore people are enrolled in government insurance schemes. You will be surprised to know that over 16,000 crore rupees has already been disbursed as insurance claims to poor families. In other words, this money has helped them in times of crisis.

Friends,

The ones no one cared about, Modi has cared for. Remember those days? When a poor person wanted to start a business, banks wouldn’t even let them enter—let alone lend them money! Banks demanded guarantees, but where would the poor get a guarantee? And who will give a guarantee to the poor person. So, this son of a poor mother decided that Modi himself would be their guarantor! Modi took the guarantee of such poor people and launched the Mudra Yojana. Today, under Mudra Yojana, 32 lakh crore rupees has been disbursed without any collateral. To those who criticize us daily, let them try writing 32 lakh crore rupees —they won’t even understand how many zeroes it has! Those who have zero seats won’t understand these figures! Modi has taken this guarantee and given 32 lakh crore rupees to people without any collateral. 

Friends,

Earlier, no one was there to provide any help to our street vendors, hawkers, and footpath workers. Imagine a poor vegetable seller—he needed 1,000 rupees in the morning to buy goods. He went to a moneylender, who wrote 1,000 rupees in his book but handed over only 900 rupees. After a full day's hard work, when the vendor returned in the evening to repay the loan, the moneylender demanded the full 1,000 rupees! Now tell me, how would that poor man ever make a living? How would he feed his children? Our government launched the SVANidhi Yojana to help them get direct bank loans. In this year's budget, we went a step further—we have announced a special credit card for street vendors and hawkers. Similarly, we have also thought about our Vishwakarma companions—artisans and skilled workers who have been serving our country for generations. For the first time, thousands of such friends are being given training under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. They are provided with modern tools and new design skills to improve their craft. They are also given financial assistance and as a result they are expanding their traditional businesses. This is what "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" truly means! For decades, Indians were tired of hearing the slogan "Garibi Hatao" (Eradicate Poverty). “Garibi Hatao” slogans were repeated during every election, but poverty never disappeared. But you shaped me into somebody who ensured that over 25 crore poor families of Bharat have come out of poverty. 

Friends,

Here in Surat, a large number of middle-class families reside. The middle class plays a crucial role in the country’s development. That’s why, over the past decade, our government has taken several steps to empower the middle class. This year’s budget continues that commitment. The recent income tax relief will significantly benefit shopkeepers, business owners, and salaried employees. Now, income up to 12 lakh rupees is completely tax-free—something no one even imagined before, but we did it. Moreover, for salaried individuals, income up to 12.75 lakh rupees is tax-free. We have also restructured the tax slabs, ensuring that every taxpayer benefits. Now, middle-class families in the country, Gujarat, and Surat will now have more disposable income. They can spend more on their needs and can invest in their children’s future.

Friends,

Surat is a city of entrepreneurs, home to numerous small and MSMEs. Surat provides employment to millions of people. Our government is working to strengthen the local supply chain, which is why MSMEs are receiving significant support.  First, we changed the definition of MSMEs, opening new avenues for their expansion. This year’s budget has further improved this definition. Over the past few years, we have made it easier for MSMEs to obtain loans. In this budget, a special credit card with a 5 lakh rupee limit has been introduced to assist MSMEs. This will provide them with significant financial support.  Our effort is to encourage more youth from SC/ST communities to become entrepreneurs and enter the MSME sector. The MUDRA scheme has played a major role in this. For the first time, this year’s budget has announced loans of up to 2 crore rupees for Dalits, Adivasis, and women. This will greatly benefit the youth of Surat and Gujarat. I urge you all to step forward and take advantage of these opportunities—I am with you.

Friends,

Surat plays a significant role in various sectors contributing to Bharat’s development. We are ensuring the expansion of industries related to textiles, chemicals, and engineering in the city. Our vision is to transform Surat into a global business hub with world-class connectivity. To achieve this, we have developed a new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport. Major infrastructure projects like the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, and the upcoming Bullet Train are crucial for Surat’s growth. Additionally, the Surat Metro will further enhance the city's connectivity, making it one of the best-connected cities in Bharat at a rapid pace. These efforts are not only making life easier for the people of Surat but also improving their quality of life significantly.

Friends,

As you would recall, a few days ago, I urged the women of our country to share their success stories, achievements, and inspiring life journeys on the NaMo App. You will be pleased to know that many sisters and daughters have shared their stories on the NaMo App.  Tomorrow is Women's Day, and on this special occasion, I am handing over my social media accounts to some of these inspiring sisters and daughters. These women have made significant contributions to the country’s development and society in various fields. Their stories will serve as an inspiration to many other mothers, sisters, and daughters across the country.  Women's Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power). We see how ‘Nari Shakti’ is making an impact in every sector of the country. Gujarat itself is a shining example of this. Tomorrow, I will also be participating in a major event dedicated to ‘Nari Shakti’ in Navsari.  Even today's program in Surat will greatly benefit women, and I can see that a large number of mothers and sisters have come to bless us.

Friends,

Surat will continue to develop as a Mini Bharat and as a world-class city, and we will keep making every effort toward this goal. A place where people are full of life deserves everything to be spectacular. Once again, many congratulations to all the beneficiaries! To my brothers and sisters of Surat, thank you very much! We will meet again. Ram-Ram!

Thank you!

Disclaimer: Some parts of the Prime Minister’s speech were originally in Gujarati, and their meaning has been translated here.

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MJPS/VJ/VK