NEW DELHI: Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his tireless dedication to the country's development and welfare of the poor, Union home minister
Amit Shah said on Wednesday that in 24 years of public service, the PM has never taken a single day off. He claimed that Modi's commitment had elevated India from the 11th to the 4th largest economy in the world, with the third position in reach by 2027.
"Such astonishing achievements are possible only through determination and selfless work," Shah said while launching Delhi govt's 17 projects and schemes worth about Rs 1,723 crore at Thyagraj Stadium on the occasion of PM's 75th birthday on Wednesday.
The projects launched virtually by Shah included five new hospital blocks, 101 Ayushman Arogya Mandir clinics, 150 dialysis machines, registration of 50,000 persons for old age pension and 10 resource centres for children with special needs.
Shah claimed that during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Modi resolved to make India the leading nation in the world and for it to excel in every field by Aug 15, 2047. He emphasised that PM treated the 140 crore citizens of India as his own family, for whose welfare he has devoted his life. Since 2014, Shah added, Modi has worked to secure the nation, strengthen the economy, bring new facilities to poor households and instil in every child the resolve to build a great India.
The home minister recalled that when Modi became PM, BJP decided to celebrate his birthday as seva pakhwada' (fortnight of service). For the last 11 years, the nation has, accordingly, marked the period from Sept 17, Modi's birthday, to Oct 2 with activities ranging from cleanliness drives to welfare initiatives. This year, Delhi govt was launching 17 welfare schemes during the fortnight.
"Through the Seva Pakhwada, our govt has built a tradition of caring for every citizen's welfare," Shah said, claiming that Modi had provided basic facilities to 60 crore people and helped 25 crore rise above the poverty line. Calling this a historic achievement, he said it should inspire India's youth to dedicate themselves to service.
Defending the Centre's commitment to Delhi, Shah said Modi always delivered more than what was due, regardless of which party governed the capital, unlike previous govts that discriminated against it. He cited the Centre's Rs 5 lakh health insurance for each citizen, which he said was not implemented by the previous state govt.
He said that the Modi govt's decision to slash GST on essentials from 28% and 18% to 5% or zero had left 395 common-use items at a low tax of 5% or less. He urged citizens to make buying Indian-made goods a habit, saying it should become a collective resolve to achieve a prosperous India.
Turning to politics, Shah attacked the opposition for its "Ghuspaithiya Bachao Yatra" (Save infiltrators march), alleging that it was an attempt to retain infiltrators on voter lists. "They want to win elections on the strength of infiltrators because they do not trust the people of India," he said, adding that the Modi govt favoured cleaning up electoral rolls and removing infiltrators' names.
CM Rekha Gupta praised the BJP-led Centre for acting as a vital support system for the capital. "Today is a very special day as we celebrate the birthday of the worthy son of Mother India and the architect of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We thank him for his govt's work in Delhi," she said.
Gupta added that Modi had been a source of support during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing relief through welfare initiatives. "For the first time in Delhi, we have a govt that serves everyone without discrimination or political bias," she asserted.
As part of Seva Pakhwada, Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and HD Kumaraswamy, along with Delhi ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Parvesh Verma, joined officials in inaugurating five Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the NDMC area. They also launched the "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Pariwar" health check-up camps at seven centres.