Modi liberated India from Naxalism, removed Article 370 from J&K: Rajnath Singh
Varanasi, Sep 17 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's legacy would include "liberating" the country from Naxalism, removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, lifting millions out of poverty, ensuring greater participation of women in Parliament and giving wings to the aspirations of the youth.
"A great leader empowers people, and Prime Minister Modi has done just that," Singh said while addressing the launch of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi on the Prime Minister's 76th birthday. Describing the journey connecting Kashi and Vadnagar as a link between Modi's birthplace and his place of work, Singh said Kashi has given new energy to the Prime Minister's public life, while Vadnagar represented the blessings and values he received from his mother Hiraben.
He described the connection between the two places as a confluence of "service, values and spiritual practice". Taking a dig at previous governments, Singh said India had often missed opportunities before 2014, alleging that governments at the time were either "asleep" or preoccupied with protecting their positions. Referring to the semiconductor sector, he claimed that a major global chip manufacturer had wanted to establish a factory in India but the then Congress government denied permission twice, resulting in the loss of a significant employment opportunity.
Singh said questions were raised when Modi took the initiative to promote semiconductor manufacturing in India, but the sector had since emerged as an area of focus for the government. "PM Modi still has decades to serve the country. He previously served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for 13 years and has been fulfilling his duties as Prime Minister for the last 12 years.
He has worked tirelessly for public service for 25 years," Singh said. He said India's position on the international stage has also changed under Modi. "The Prime Minister has brought India to such a position that whatever India says on the international stage is now heard by the entire world with rapt attention. Previously, when India spoke internationally, its views were not taken as seriously as they should have been," he said.
Singh said the relationship between Vadnagar and Kashi also had historical links, noting that Buddhist monks had travelled from Sarnath to Vadnagar nearly 2,000 years ago to spread knowledge and spirituality. He said the tradition was being carried forward in a new form through the Seva Yatra. Referring to Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Singh said he had transformed the pace of development from that of a cricket
"Test match" into a "one-day match". On Modi's emphasis on local products, Singh said the Prime Minister gifts Indian-made products to world leaders during his foreign engagements. He recalled that Modi had gifted then-US President Joe Biden a peacock brooch made of Varanasi's pink enamel. At the event, Singh also asked attendees to switch on their mobile phone flashlights to mark Modi's birthday.
UP BJP president and union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary said 500 pilgrims travelling on 250 bikes would journey from Kashi to Vadnagar carrying Ganga water, while another group of 500 pilgrims on 250 bikes would travel from Vadnagar to Kashi carrying water from Gujarat's holy rivers. He said the water would be offered at Baba Hatkeshwar in Vadnagar on October 7, with the yatra concluding with Jalabhishek at Baba Vishwanath in Kashi. The yatra will cover thousands of kilometres across 193 districts and 1,159 villages in 10 states, including 50 districts of Uttar Pradesh, Chaudhary said. Programmes will be organised at 60 to 80 locations each day.
During the journey, participants will take pledges on tree plantation, water conservation, de-addiction and a plastic-free India. A 15-minute documentary will be screened at each stop, local leaders will be interviewed and sanitation workers honoured, he said. Union Minister Chirag Paswan said previous governments had ruled the country, but Modi has worked to give India a new identity both domestically and internationally.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said standing on the soil of Kashi was a proud moment and described the journey from Vadnagar to Kashi as one of service. He said the country was changing and moving forward, and stressed the importance of strengthening the agricultural sector and creating employment opportunities for youth through technology. Naidu described the initiative as part of a "new and self-reliant India" and also spoke about the large number of people visiting Varanasi and the proposal to build a Balaji temple there.
