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Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
India set to become world's third largest economy, says Joshi
Bengaluru: Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi, while addressing the media on the occasion of completion of the 11 years of achievements of the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said on Tuesday that India has now emerged as the world's fourth largest economic power. 'I have confidence that India would become world's third largest economy,' he stressed. Speaking at a press conference organised by the State BJP Office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Monday, Union Minister Joshi said that it took nearly 30 to 40 years for the country to become a one trillion-dollar economy. It took about 62 to 63 years to become a two trillion-dollar economy, he added. 'As a result of stability, we have achieved more than $4 trillion from $2 trillion,' he said. He stressed that a stable government has enabled efficient governance and administration, leading to achievements in all sectors. 'The reform of the defence system is also a crucial aspect. He recalled and mocked that previously, India had a government that couldn't even decide on the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Former Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony had officially said in Parliament that if basic infrastructure was developed in border areas, enemy countries would use it.' 'We have made efficient decisions from border infrastructure to the CDS,' Union Minister Joshi said. 'As a result of the CDS, 'Operation Sindoor' and subsequent operations enabled us to give a strong response to Pakistan's behaviour.' The Minister added that through the coordination of the three defence forces, it has been possible to identify nine terrorism-related locations and launch missile attacks on those very spots. Previously, all defence products were imported, the Union Minister said. 'Now, we are producing 5,000 products under 'Made in India' and 'Make in India'. For the first time in this country, we have exported arms and other products worth Rs 25,000 crore,' he added. The proportion of extreme poverty has decreased from 21 to 5 per cent, he said. He clarified that 26 crore people have come out of extreme poverty and these are not statistics from Indian agencies but from the World Bank. Union Minister Joshi said that as a result of efficient leadership and a stable government, decisive and bold steps have been taken regarding the country's defence system. He cited the recent 'Operation Sindoor' as an example. 'Terrorist activities are almost zero in areas of the country other than border regions. While such incidents are occurring in Kashmir, he said that a very strong and clear response has been given to them. Terrorists had decided to cripple India's administration through a 'Red Corridor' from Pashupati in Nepal to Tirupati.' 'Today, Naxalism in the country has decreased by 70 per cent. Our Union Home Minister has announced that Naxalism will be completely eradicated from this country by March 2026,' he said. 'Wherever Indians faced difficulties in the world, we have protected them. We succeeded in bringing back our people during the Russia-Ukraine war and the Afghanistan crisis,' he added. 'During the Covid-19 period, there were talks of millions of deaths in India and the country collapsing.' 'But, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as the fastest-growing country in the post-Covid days; it continues to do so even now,' he said. He told that India is the only country that has administered more than 240 crore vaccine doses to 140 crore people; additionally, India has also been able to export vaccines, the Union Minister said. He expressed confidence that India will soon emerge as the world's third largest economic power. 'In 2024, digital transactions increased to Rs 24 lakh crore, with the UPI accounting for 83 per cent of this,' he added. Union Minister Joshi said that former Finance Ministers had ridiculed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of digitalisation of the country. He attributed this achievement to Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile linkage. He also added that Rs 44 lakh crore are being directly transferred to beneficiaries' accounts through the direct benefit transfer scheme. He provided information on achievements made in various other sectors as well. Former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Govind Karajol, MP P.C. Mohan, Rajya Sabha member Jaggesh, Chief Whip of the Legislative Assembly Doddanagouda H. Patil, State General Secretary Nandish Reddy, State BJP Vice President Raju Gowda Nayak, Bengaluru South District President and MLA C.K. Ramamurthy, and Bengaluru Central District President Saptagiri Gowda were also present.
Hans India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
'India will avenge Pak-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam', Union Minister pays tribute to Manjunath Rao
Shivamogga (Karnataka): Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday that India was fully prepared to exact a fitting revenge for the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Union Minister Joshi offered floral tributes and expressed condolences on behalf of the Central government to the mortal remains of Shivamogga-based entrepreneur Manjunath Rao, one of the victims of the terrorist attack. He also assured that the government and the nation stand with them while offering condolences and courage to the family. He offered final respects through a floral tribute to the mortal remains of Manjunath Rao. Offering condolences to Manjunath's wife Pallavi and his mother, Joshi reiterated that the Central government and the entire nation stood with them. He prayed for eternal peace for Manjunath's soul and strength for the family to bear this grief. As the mortal remains of Manjunath Rao arrived in Shivamogga, slogans of 'Down with Pakistan', 'Pakistan murdabad' and 'Amar Rahe Manjunath Rao' echoed among the gathered crowd. Joshi said that terrorists, driven by Pakistan's instigation, have attempted to disrupt the peace and harmony that had been established in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. 'India will ensure strict retribution,' he asserted. A total of 26 people, including Manjunath Rao from Shivamogga, were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. 'India cannot tolerate such brutality. The terrorists behind this heinous act will not be spared. Those responsible for inflicting pain and loss on our citizens will be taught a lesson and punished accordingly,' Joshi added. Minister Joshi emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government is committed to eradicating terrorism. He said the Pakistani terrorists who targeted innocent lives in Pahalgam would be decisively crushed. 'No one involved in this cowardly act will be let off. The Central government has already initiated diplomatic steps and taken five key decisions in this direction,' he revealed. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to take strict action against terrorist activities. Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have visited Pahalgam to assess the situation and oversee the safety of tourists. They are ensuring the mortal remains of the deceased are returned to their families, Joshi said. In recent years, terrorist activities have drastically reduced across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, thanks to the efforts of the Narendra Modi-led government. 'But now, terrorists backed by Pakistan have re-emerged. The Indian government will tear apart this threat. The entire country must unite and confront terrorism together,' Joshi said in a strong message. 'We must rise above party, caste, and creed to fight against this scourge of terrorism. Every Indian must stand together to bring an end to such activities,' he urged. Joshi pointed out that tourism in the Kashmir Valley has seen significant growth in recent years. The number of tourists has risen from 5-6 lakh to over one crore annually now. This boom in tourism has boosted the region's economy and provided livelihoods to many while fostering peace and harmony. 'This progress has drawn the evil eye of terrorists who, driven by Pakistan, have set fire to this harmony,' he said. BJP MP B.Y. Raghavendra, along with Shivamogga district BJP office-bearers, leaders, workers, and Manjunath Rao's close circle, paid their final respects. The bravery of Manjunath Rao's wife, Pallavi and her 18-year-old son Abhijeya, in confronting the terrorists and asking them to finish them as well had made national news. She had revealed that both she and her 18-year-old son confronted the terrorist and pleaded to be killed alongside Manjunath. However, the terrorist reportedly told them that he would not harm them and instead instructed them to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the attack. Pallavi had said after the terror attack, "We are in Pahalgam, and my husband died right in front of me. I couldn't cry or react -- I couldn't even comprehend what had just happened.' "I noticed that there were three to four attackers. After my husband was killed, I faced one of the terrorists and said, 'Mere pati ko mara hai na, mujhe bhi maaro' (You've killed my husband, kill me too). My son also confronted him and said, 'Kutte, mere papa ko maara, humein bhi maar daalo' (You dog, you killed my father, kill us too)," she recounted. "The terrorist replied, 'Nahin marenge. Tum Modi ko jaake bolo' (I won't kill you. Go and tell Modi)," Pallavi said. Describing the scene further, she said, "The terrorists were right in front of us. They were not in army uniforms. Almost all the men were targeted. There were many newlywed couples, and in most cases, only the husbands were attacked while women and others were spared. Hindus were targeted. There were around 500 tourists present."
