For 75 years, we tolerated proxy wars: PM Modi
PM Modi said this on Tuesday, while attending the celebrations commemorating 20 years of Gujarat's Urban Growth Story at Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir, marking two decades of structured and sustainable urban transformation in the state.
As part of the occasion, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation of development projects worth Rs 5,536 crore. These include housing, health, urban planning, and infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting the state's future readiness.
Recalling his launch of the Urban Development Year 2005 as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, PM Modi formally announced the Urban Development Year 2025, a new phase of the urban transformation initiative. The plan aims to further strengthen urban infrastructure, sustainable living, and civic amenities across Gujarat.
Beginning his address with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", the Prime Minister reflected on his recent visit across Gujarat: "Yesterday I was in Vadodara, Dahod, Bhuj, Ahmedabad and today in Gandhinagar. I could feel the patriotic fervour everywhere -- every hand held a Tricolour and every heart was filled with nationalism. It was an unforgettable sight, not just in Gujarat but across the nation."
In a significant and emotionally charged portion of his speech, PM Modi addressed the long-standing issue of terrorism stemming from Pakistan.
"In 1947, when Maa Bharati was divided, the chains of colonial rule should have been broken, but instead, the country was split into three parts. On that very night, the first terror attack began in Kashmir. A part of our nation -- PoK -- was taken away under the cover of terrorism. Sardar Patel had wanted the army not to stop until PoK was taken back. But no one listened to him," he said.
PM Modi sharply criticised decades of tolerance towards terrorism, saying: "For 75 years, we tolerated proxy wars. Tourists, pilgrims, civilians -- wherever they found a chance, they attacked. Tell me, should we keep tolerating this? 'Goli ka jawab gole se dena chahiye' (Or should we respond to bullets with bombs)?"
Reinforcing India's commitment to peace, the Prime Minister added, "We believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- the world is our family. We want peace for our neighbours too. But when provoked repeatedly, India has to remind the world that this (India) is also a land of warriors."
Among the key announcements was the e-foundation laying of a 1,800-bed hospital in Ahmedabad's Civil Medical campus, to be built at a cost of Rs 588 crore, significantly enhancing healthcare capacity in the region.
Additionally, health infrastructure worth Rs 672 crore was inaugurated, including a satellite centre of the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in Gandhinagar.
The Rs 84 crore facility, located within the Gandhinagar Civil Hospital campus, will serve patients from North Gujarat and neighbouring regions with state-of-the-art cardiac and neurocare services.
The event in Gandhinagar reinforced PM Modi's long-term vision of inclusive, modern, and resilient urban development -- integrating infrastructure, health, and heritage while responding to the evolving challenges of the nation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
World realised India's capability through Operation Sindoor: Yogi Adityanath
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Varanasi comes at a time when both India and the world have witnessed the country's strength and capabilities through the successful execution of Operation Sindoor. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressing a gathering in Varanasi on Saturday. (AFP PHOTO) Referring to the military operation in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Adityanath said, 'This New India has the courage to crush the perpetrators of terror into the ground and eliminate enemies by entering their territory. Adityanath was addressing a gathering during the inauguration/foundation stone laying ceremony organised at Banauli gram sabha in Sewapuri, Varanasi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Prime Minister Modi's arrival in Kashi today follows the triumph of Operation Sindoor. On behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh, I welcome and congratulate the prime minister.' Highlighting Modi's global stature, the chief minister said, 'PM Modi is the most popular leader in the world. In the past 11 years, more than 50 countries have honoured him with their highest civilian awards.' 'The world respects his vision for public welfare and global good. Last month, countries like Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Namibia, and Brazil bestowed their top civilian honours on prime minister Modi, making all 140 crore Indians proud.' Adityanath also underlined the pride that Varanasi, or Kashi, takes on being represented by Modi as its Member of Parliament. 'It is a matter of immense pride that Prime Minister Modi represents 'Avinashi Kashi' (the indestructible city of Kashi) in Parliament. Over the last 11 years, Kashi has emerged as a unique confluence of the ancient and the new -- a blend of spirituality and modernity that continues to draw global attention,' he said. He also said that Modi's presence in his home constituency for the 51st time is unprecedented for any prime minister. In Varanasi, he said, projects worth over ₹16,000 crore are currently in various stages of progress. 'So far, the prime minister has inaugurated projects worth ₹34,000 crore out of the ₹51,000 crore sanctioned for Varanasi in recent years,' he said. Adityanath added that during his visit on Saturday, Modi launched development projects worth another ₹2,200 crore for the people of Kashi. These include initiatives in connectivity, water supply, education, healthcare, sports, cultural rejuvenation, and all-round regional development, the chief minister said while addressing the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony held here in the presence of Modi. The chief minister also said that Divyangjans are playing a major role in building a strong and capable India, noting that the thoughtful term 'Divyang' introduced by Modi has brought new hope and encouragement into their lives, giving them opportunities to grow in every field. Adityanath said that 11 years ago, many farmers were abandoning agriculture, while some were even driven to suicide amid deep disillusionment. 'But in the last 11 years, initiatives such as Soil Health Card, PM Crop Insurance, PM Irrigation Scheme, and enhanced seed-to-market support have built a robust ecosystem.' 'Today, millions of farmers in Uttar Pradesh are actively contributing to the vision of a self-reliant, developed India,' he said. To mark this milestone, the prime minister chose Kashi to extend the benefits of these schemes to nearly 10 crore farmers nationwide, he said. In Uttar Pradesh, 2.3 crore farmers are receiving the 20th installment of PM-KISAN, including over 2.21 lakh families in Kashi alone, he said. Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brajesh Pathak, UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary, UP ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Suresh Khanna, Anil Rajbhar, Ravindra Jaiswal and Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu' were present on the occasion.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi will unseat Modi, not RSS: Revanth
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday said that it will not be the RSS or internal BJP politics that dislodges Narendra Modi from power—but Rahul Gandhi . Revanth asserted that the Congress, under Rahul's leadership, will limit the BJP to under 150 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. "Even BJP MP Nishikant Dubey admitted they can't cross 150 seats without Modi. I want him to write in his diary—Modi will be unseated, not by age limits or RSS manoeuvering, but by Rahul and the people of India," Revanth said at the AICC Legal Conclave 2025 in Delhi, addressing a gathering of legal professionals in the presence of AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul, and Priyanka Gandhi. Taking aim at recent comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who hinted at a 75-year retirement threshold for political leaders, Revanth quipped, "I think Modi is not in favour of it. Why don't the rules that forced Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi into retirement apply to Modi?" You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Drawing a contrast between Modi's unrelenting grip on power and the Gandhi family's record of renunciation, Revanth said: "Modi has never given up any position since becoming Gujarat CM. But Sonia Gandhi declined the PM post in 2004. She backed Manmohan Singh for the PM post and even Pranab Mukherjee for the presidency. Rahul could've been PM or minister in 2009, but chose to work as a common party worker—fighting for the poor, OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis. " Revanth warned that the BJP's true agenda is to dismantle the reservation system and undermine the Constitution. "Only Congress stands between the BJP and their plan to erase social justice. Rahul will not only remove Modi but also protect the Constitution and uphold 42% reservations for OBCs by conducting a national caste census," he claimed. Highlighting the Telangana model, he said the Congress govt had already conducted a caste survey in line with Rahul's commitment. "We've shown the way. This is the model for the rest of India," he said. Taking a swipe at critics who question Congress's legacy, Revanth reminded them, "Congress gave India independence, the Constitution, and reservations. What was the BJP doing then? Parties like BRS, BJD, RJD, and even BJP came after independence. The Congress was already fighting for freedom." In a resounding call to action, he urged the Congress cadre community to gear up for a decisive political and constitutional battle. "The time has come. The Constitution, which is under threat now, will also be protected," Revanth said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dalit student's suicide at CUK triggers outrage, allegations of cover-up
1 2 Pic: File photo of students staging a dharna at CUK Kalaburagi; Attendance sheets at CUK show a caste column Kalaburagi: The alleged suicide of Jayasri Nayak, 20, a student from Odisha, has raised many questions about the educational atmosphere at Central University Karnataka (CUK) here. As authorities broke the door of the room — where the body was found — without informing police, activists suspect efforts to destroy evidence. Since the student belonged to the Dalit community, casteism is also being suspected. Agitation regarding the death is getting traction by the day. P Nandakumar, who was a student for 8 years from UG to PhD and was president of Ambedkar Vidyarthi Sanghatane at CUK, told TOI that atrocities against Dalit students have been ongoing in the varsity since its inception. "However, there was space to agitate when a Dalit student committed suicide in 2017. For the past 3-4 years, even our right to protest has been suppressed. If we insist, an FIR is filed against us. It started in 2019 when Rahul, a student, questioned performing religious rituals on campus when the varsity is a secular place. Earlier, the varsity's SC/ ST cell provided financial assistance of Rs 20,000 for Dalit students intending to present their papers at national and international platforms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Now, it has been stopped. Even the OBC cell is shut. So is the case with the book bank and computer facility for Dalit students preparing for competitive exams. Now, SC/ST researchers are forced to pay fees on a par with general students. A caste column was introduced in the attendance sheet. Though they announce in press releases that accommodation and food are free for SC/ ST students, rent and fees are collected. Only when we oppose it, it gets refunded. Though Article 28/1 says there should not be any religious symbol in educational institutions, they have installed a Saraswati statue long before the installation of an Ambedkar statue. There are hundreds of cases to prove our allegations," he explained. Dwarakanath CS, former chairman of Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, said he was prevented by security personnel from delivering a speech on Ambedkar last year. "I'm told there have been clashes between Dalit students and the varsity management for years. When we visited the campus at the request of Dalit students, we just offered a garland to the Ambedkar statue but were not allowed to speak about him. Many Dalit students shared that they are depressed by the casteist atrocities. Now, both the govt and the varsity management should consider the suicide of a Dalit student seriously," he said. K Neela, a social activist in Kalaburagi, alleged that the varsity is turning anti-women and anti-minorities too in recent years. When contacted, prof Battu Satyanarayana, CUK vice-chancellor, said: "The anti-women allegation is false. Girl students outnumber boy students in our varsity. We are providing all facilities to all students irrespective of caste and creed. During admission, we follow reservation rules. It is our duty to provide equal opportunities to all. We have not introduced caste columns in attendance. We will ask caste and category only during the admission to follow the reservation system. There is no caste-based discrimination in the campus. We are following UGC guidelines and norms specified by the Constitution." Responding to the recent suicide case, the VC said they did not know the student's caste until it was raised. "Security personnel might have broken the room door assuming that she might be alive and needed immediate medical care. After learning about her death, we immediately informed the police, who in turn informed her parents. Her parents informed us that she had some health issues," he stated. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
