Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Bharat Mata Ki Jai! The popular Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma ji, my colleague in the Union Cabinet Shri Sarbananda Sonowal ji, all the ministers of the Assam government, Members of Parliament and MLAs, other public representatives, and my dear brothers and sisters who have come here in such large numbers to bless us despite the continuous rain—Namaskar.

I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the people of Darrang and to all the people of Assam on this historic day of the state’s development journey.

Friends,

I arrived in Assam yesterday for the first time after Operation Sindoor. With the blessings of Maa Kamakhya, Operation Sindoor achieved tremendous success. That is why coming today to this sacred land of Maa Kamakhya feels like a deeply divine experience. And, adding to the joy, today the festival of Janmashtami is being celebrated in this region. On this holy occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warmest greetings to all of you. As I had said from the Red Fort that Mangaldoi is the place where the confluence of culture, the pride of history, and the hope for the future all come together. This region is also the centre point of Assam’s identity. We remembered the inspirations, we remembered Lord Krishna, and I presented the vision of a Sudharshan Chakra in future security policy before the people. 

Friends,

I am blessed to have had the fortune of meeting all the people on this land filled with valour.

Brothers and sisters,

Just a few days ago, we celebrated the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sudhakantha Bhupen Hazarika ji. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be part of a grand program held in his honour. The great sons of Assam, our ancestors, had once dreamt of a vision, and today the BJP’s double-engine government is sincerely working to fulfil that dream.

Brothers and sisters,

Yesterday, when I was at the centenary program of Bhupen Da ji’s birth anniversary, the Chief Minister told me something at night, and this morning he also showed me a video. Watching that video hurt me deeply. He showed me the statement of the Congress Party president. On the very day the Government of Bharat conferred the Bharat Ratna upon this great son of the country and pride of Assam, Bhupen Da Hazarika ji, the Congress Party president gave a statement. At that time, I had not noticed it, but today I saw it. He said: “Modi is giving Bharat Ratna to dancers and singers.”

Friends,

The wounds left on the people of the North East after the 1962 war with China, and the words spoken by Pandit Nehru at that time, have still not healed. And today, the present generation of the Congress party is sprinkling salt on those very wounds. Usually, no matter how many abuses I receive, I am a devotee of Lord Shiva, and therefore, I swallow all poison. But when someone else is shamelessly insulted, I cannot remain silent. Tell me, was my decision to award Bharat Ratna to Bhupen Da right or not? Say it loudly, was it right or not? When the Congress mocked the decision to confer Bharat Ratna on Bhupen Da, was that right or wrong? It causes deep pain when Assam’s son, Bharat’s great soul, is insulted in this manner by the Congress.

Friends,

I know very well, the entire ecosystem of the Congress will now pounce on me again, saying “Modi has started crying once more.” But for me, the people themselves are my God, and if my soul’s voice does not come out before my God, then where else will it come out? They are my masters, they are my revered ones and they are my remote control. I have no other remote control. The 140 crore citizens of this country are my remote control. But their arrogance is such that when the so-called “naamdaar” (dynast) scolds the “kaamdar” (worker), and if, out of pain, if the “kaamdar” utters a cry of pain, even more cruelty is inflicted on him, saying: “You have no right to cry, how can a “kaamdar” weep before the “naamdaar”?” Such arrogance does not suit public life. The people of Assam, the people of the country, lovers of music, lovers of art, and those who dedicate themselves to the soul of Bharat, must demand an answer from the Congress: Why did you insult Bhupen Da?

Brothers and sisters,

Honouring and preserving Assam’s cultural heritage, and ensuring Assam’s rapid development, has been the priority of this double-engine government. I see one brother has brought a painting, perhaps he wishes to give it to me. I request the SPG personnel to take it. My request to him is to please write your name and address on the back, I will certainly write you a letter. You’ve also made a beautiful picture of my mother. I can never forget this love from Assam. I see a young man who has been standing with a ‘Gamocha’ (traditional Assamese cloth). Please take it. For me, this is like a sacred offering on Janmashtami. Some poor mother from Assam must have woven this ‘Gamocha’. Thank you so much, brother, for this gift. I am deeply grateful. Please give it to them. I will get it. I will surely treasure it. There is another one. Perhaps, he wants to give it to Himanta (the CM).  Please give it to him as well. It will reach the right place. Thank you, young man, for this affection. Look, even small children have brought drawings, please collect them. The people are showering so much love. These little kids! What greater fortune can one have? Thank you, my friend, thank you, brother. Are you two brothers? No? Oh, both of you just came wearing black t-shirts. But thank you so much, friends.

Friends,

Today Assam is making waves across the country and the world with the joint efforts of the government and the people of Assam. This daughter has brought something, please take it. One must never disappoint a daughter. Thank you. Did you write your name on the back? If you have written your name on the back, I’ll write you a letter. Write down your name and address, dear.

Friends,

Today, Bharat is the fastest-growing country in the world, and Assam too has become one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. There was a time when Assam lagged behind in development, unable to keep pace with the rest of the country. But today, Assam is moving forward with a growth rate of nearly 13 percent. Thank you very much, child.

Friends,

A 13 percent growth rate! This is a huge achievement. This is your achievement. Let’s give applause today in your name. Usually, you clap a lot for me, but today I want to clap for your hard work and sweat. This success is the result of the dedication of the people of Assam and the joint efforts of the BJP’s double-engine government. I am happy that the people of Assam are continuously strengthening this partnership. That is why, Himanta ji and his team receive overwhelming support again and again in every election. Even in the recent panchayat elections, Assam has ensured a historic victory for us. You have blessed us.

Friends,

The BJP government is working with the goal of making Assam the growth engine of Bharat’s development. Today’s program is also a part of this commitment. Just a short while ago, development projects worth nearly 6,500 crore rupees were inaugurated from this very stage. Our double-engine government is developing Assam as one of the top connected states and as a top healthcare hub. These projects will further strengthen that mission. Congratulations to all of you for the Darrang Medical College and Hospital, for the highways, and for the ring road.

Friends,

The entire nation today is moving forward unitedly toward building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). Especially for our young friends, a ‘’Viksit Bharat’ is both a dream and a resolve. And the North East has a very important role to play in fulfilling this resolve. I am not saying this only because I have affection, love, and respect for you, for the North East. I say this because there are solid reasons behind it. After independence, the big cities, big economies, and big industries were all developed in western and southern Bharat. During this time, a vast region of eastern Bharat, with a huge population, was left behind in the race of development. Now the BJP government is changing this situation. Already, 25 years of the 21st century have passed. The century we kept hearing about since the Congress era was that “the 21st century is coming, the 21st century is coming”. Well, one-fourth of the time has already gone by in this century. Now, the next phase of the 21st century belongs to the East, to the North East. Now, your time has come. It is the time of Assam, the time of the North East. Your time has come. My young friends, now time is in your hands. Oh, here comes another child bringing something. Please take it, brother. Now people have started learning my weakness. When they bring pictures of my mother, my heart wants to take them immediately. Give it to them, son. They are with me. Just write your name and address at the back, I’ll collect it and write you a letter. Please take it from him and pass it on to the SPG personnel.

Friends,

Fast connectivity is essential for the rapid development of any region. That is why our government has placed a strong focus on connectivity in the North East. Whether it is physical connectivity through roads, railways, and airways, or digital connectivity through 5G internet and broadband, it has brought convenience to your lives, made daily living easier, and made doing business easier. This connectivity has also made travel more convenient, expanded tourism, and created new job and employment opportunities for our youth here.

Friends,

Assam has greatly benefited from this massive connectivity campaign. Let me give you an example. For six decades after independence, Congress ruled in Delhi, and for decades Congress also ruled in Assam. But the Congress built only three bridges over the Brahmaputra in 60-65 years. Just three bridges in over six decades! Then you gave us the opportunity to serve you, and in just one decade, our government has built six major bridges. Six major bridges! Now tell me will you not be happy when so much work is done? Will you not give us your blessings? Will you not shower us with your love? You are happy, aren’t you? I want to do even more work. Just keep giving your blessings. Today, the foundation stone of the Kurua–Narengi bridge has also been laid. The distance between Guwahati and Darrang will shrink to just a few minutes with this bridge. It will save time and money for ordinary people, make transportation cheaper, reduce travel time, ease traffic problems, and as a result, even reduce costs of goods.

Friends,

The new ring road will also benefit you greatly. Once it is built, vehicles heading towards Upper Assam will no longer need to enter the city. This ring road will connect 5 national highways, 2 state highways, 1 airport, 3 railway stations, and 1 inland water terminal. In other words, a complete network of seamless multi-modal connectivity will be established in Assam for the first time. This is the development model of the BJP’s double-engine government.

Friends,

We are preparing the nation not just for today, but for the needs of the next 25–50 years, because when Bharat celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047, we must develop it as a ‘Viksit Bharat’. We must do this for you, for your children, for the bright future of our youth. In this direction, I had announced from the Red Fort that there will now be a next-generation reform in GST. Today, I have come among you with this good news. Exactly 9 days from now, on the first day of Navratri, GST rates will be reduced significantly. And this will benefit every family in Assam and across the country. Many daily-use items will become cheaper. We have reduced tax on cement, so those building a house will have lower expenses. Many costly medicines for serious illnesses like cancer will become cheaper. Insurance will become more affordable. And young people who wish to buy motorcycles or new cars will also get them at lower prices. These days you must be seeing advertisements by automobile companies with discounts of 60,000 rupees, 80,000 rupees, 1 lakh rupees. They have been advertising almost daily. This means everyone will benefit, whether it is mothers and sisters, youth, farmers, or shopkeepers. This decision will add even more brightness to your festivals.

Friends,

But during these festivals, I want you to remember one thing of mine. May I say it? Should I say it? Will you listen? Raise your hands and tell me: Should I say it? Will you follow it? Please, my child, sit down, thank you. Don’t trouble him. I think he is physically unwell. Please don’t push him. We will take it from him. Cameraman, please take his letter. Young man, don’t worry, sit down. Don’t make him uncomfortable. Brother, I bow to you. Please don’t trouble him. It doesn’t feel right to me. I am grateful to you that you came here even in such pain.

Friends,

Now raise your hands again and tell me: will you follow what I say? Not like this, everyone’s hands should be up! Will you follow? Promise me. Just do it and the country will move forward, my friends. I am not asking this for myself, but for the country. I am asking this for the bright future of your children. Therefore, I say this to you and promise me that from now on, whatever you buy will be Swadeshi. Will you buy Swadeshi? Will you buy Made in India products? My definition of Swadeshi is very simple: no matter which country the company comes from, no matter what foreign name it carries. If it is manufactured in Bharat, it is Swadeshi. The money may come from any part of the world, but the sweat should belong to the youth of my country. And every Made in India product should carry the fragrance of Bharat’s soil. Will you buy such goods? Raise your hands and say that you will buy those products. If you have to gift somebody, that should only be Swadeshi? And to all shopkeepers, I request please put up a board in your shop. Will you do it? Put a board in every shop of your village: “Say with pride that this is Swadeshi.”

Let me tell you the power of Swadeshi. About 50 years ago, I was living for some time in Kanyakumari. I have always kept a ‘Gamocha’ with me. There are always three or four ‘Gamocha’ in my bag. I was walking around with a ‘Gamocha’ on my shoulder in Kanyakumari, and some people came running from a distance, greeted me, and held me. They asked, “Are you from Assam?” I said, “No, I am from Gujarat.” They said, “But we saw the ‘Gamocha’, that’s why we thought you were from Assam.” That is the power of the soil, the power of Swadeshi. I had no identity there, but that day, the people of Assam poured their love on me, just because I wore a ‘Gamocha’. Friends, this is the power of our traditions. That’s why I say that promise me, we will buy Swadeshi. Let us be Vocal for Local. Our collective efforts for local products will make our nation stronger.

Friends,

In the past years, another sector in which tremendous work has been done across the country is healthcare. Earlier, hospitals were mainly in big cities, and treatment there used to be very expensive. Our government has expanded the network of AIIMS and medical colleges to every corner of the country. Please sit down, brother… let me continue my speech. Please sit down… please don’t trouble him. Cameraman, take the letter from him. Why are you bothering my specially-abled brothers? Thank you, my friend. Here in Assam, special focus has been given to cancer hospitals as well. In the past 11 years, the number of medical colleges in Bharat has doubled. That means, in just 11 years, we have built as many medical colleges as were built in the 60–65 years after Independence. Just think about it, what took 60–70 years, we have done in just 10–11 years, my friends! In Assam too, there were only 6 medical colleges before 2014. Now, with the new medical college in Darrang, the number will reach 24 medical colleges. You all know that when a medical college is built, not only do better healthcare facilities become available, but more and more youth also get the opportunity to become doctors. Earlier, many of our young people could not become doctors due to shortage of medical seats. In the past 11 years, the number of medical seats has more than doubled. And not just this, we have set another goal: we are going to add 1 lakh new medical seats in the next 4-5 years. That means, 1 lakh new doctors will be created.

Friends,

This is how we work. Just like we are working to create 3 crore “Lakhpati Didis”, we are also working to create 1 lakh new doctors.

Friends,

Assam is a land of patriots. Whether it was defending the country from foreign invaders or making sacrifices in the freedom struggle, Assam has played a huge role. Who can forget the Patharughat farmers’ satyagraha? That historic site is not far from here. Today, as I stand on this sacred land of sacrifice, it is necessary to expose yet another misdeed of the Congress. For the sake of its politics, the Congress has always stood with those people and those ideologies which are anti-Bharat. We saw this again during Operation Sindoor. When the Congress was in power, the whole nation was bleeding due to terrorism, but the Congress stood silently. Today, our army conducts Operation Sindoor, uprooting the masterminds of terror from every corner of Pakistan. But instead of standing with our army, the Congress sides with Pakistan’s army. Instead of supporting our soldiers, Congress leaders promote the agenda of those who nurture terrorists. Pakistan’s lies become Congress’s agenda. That is why, you must always remain cautious of the Congress.

Friends,

For the Congress, protecting its vote-bank is the highest priority. Congress never cares about the national interest. Today, Congress has become a big protector of anti-national elements and infiltrators. When Congress was in power, it encouraged infiltration, and today Congress wants infiltrators to settle permanently in Bharat and decide Bharat’s future. Once, Mangaldoi witnessed a massive movement to protect Assam’s identity against illegal infiltration. But the earlier Congress government punished you for that. They took revenge on you. The Congress allowed illegal occupation of land here. Our places of worship, the lands of our farmers and tribal people were grabbed. After the BJP-NDA government came to power, those situations are being corrected. Illegal occupations here are being removed. Under Himanta ji’s leadership, millions of bighas of land in Assam have been freed from infiltrators; in Darrang district too large tracts of land have been cleared of encroachment. In the Garukhuti area too, there had been encroachment during Congress’s time. That land has now been reclaimed, and a Garukhuti agricultural project is underway for the farmers. The youth there are now working as “agricultural soldiers.” Everything from mustard, maize, urad, sesame, pumpkin is being grown there. In other words, land that was once under infiltrators’ control has today become a new centre of agricultural development in Assam.

Friends,

The BJP government will not allow infiltrators to seize the country’s resources. We will not let anyone take away the rights of Bharat’s farmers, Bharat’s youth, and our tribal people. These infiltrators commit atrocities against our mothers, sisters, and daughters and it will not be allowed. There are conspiracies through infiltrators to change the demography of border areas; this is a grave threat to national security. Therefore, a demography mission is now being launched in the country. The BJP’s goal is to protect the nation from infiltrators and to free the country from infiltrators. And to those politicians I say: if you come to the field with a challenge, I accept that challenge with my chest out. Go ahead and write it down. Let’s see how much strength you use to protect infiltrators, and how much of our life we put into removing infiltrators. Let there be a contest. Those who come out to protect infiltrators will have to pay the price. Mark my words: this nation will not forgive them.

Friends,

We must work together to preserve Assam’s heritage and to accelerate Assam’s development. We must make Assam and the North East the growth engine of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Once again, I wish you all success for these development projects. Say it with me: Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Raise both hands and let the voice come out with full force: Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Thank you very much.

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MJPS/VJ/VK