India Today Conclave: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the India Today Conclave at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed delight at the theme chosen for the conclave – ‘The India Moment’ and remarked that the world’s best economists, analysts and thinkers echo the voice that it is indeed India’s moment. He also added that the India Today Group showing the same optimism makes it even more special. Recalling his address from the Red Fort 20 months ago where the Prime Minister had said “This is the time and it is the right time”, the Prime Minister underlined that this is India’s moment.
Reflecting on the various challenges and stages that come in the way of the development journey of any nation, PM Narendra Modi said that the time period in this decade of the 21st century holds special importance for India. Highlighting the difference in circumstances that came in the way of nations that became developed several decades ago, the Prime Minister noted that the reason for their success was they were competing with themselves in a world that lacked global competition. He pointed out that today the circumstances faced by India are completely different where the global challenges are comprehensive in nature and come in many forms.
He highlighted that the ‘India Moment’ being discussed around the world today is not ordinary, especially when the largest pandemic in a hundred years hit the world along with the ongoing war between two nations. “A new history is being scripted and we are all witnessing it together”, the Prime Minister remarked. He said that the world is showing its trust in India. Listing out India’s achievements on a global level, the Prime Minister said that India is the world’s fastest-growing economy, ranks one in smartphone data consumption in the world, ranks one in global fintech adoption rate, is the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world, and houses the third largest startup ecosystem in the world among various other things.
The Prime Minister underlined that today, on one hand, India is building physical infrastructure like roads, railways, ports, and airports while on the other hand, there is an unprecedented attraction for Indian culture and soft power in the world. “Today yoga has become popular all over the world. Today there is enthusiasm for Ayurveda and there is enthusiasm about the food and drinks of India”, the Prime Minister said. He noted that Indian films and music are attracting people’s attention with their new energy.
The Prime Minister also noted that India’s millets – Shree Anna is also reaching the entire world. The Prime Minister highlighted that India’s ideas and potential towards ‘Global Good’ is being recognized by the world, be it the International Solar Alliance or the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. “That\’s why today the world is saying – This is India\’s Moment”, the Prime Minister remarked. He said that all of these have a multiplier effect and informed that most of the countries are themselves returning India’s ancient idols.
“The most special thing about the India Moment is that promise is coupled with performance”, the Prime Minister said. Comparing the headlines that made the news, the Prime Minister pointed out that the headlines of yesteryear usually unearthed scams worth lakhs of crores in various sectors and the public being out on the street in protest, but the headlines of today, the Prime Minister interjected, comprise of the corrupt taking to the streets due to action in cases of corruption. On a lighter note, the Prime Minister pointed out that the media has gained a lot of TRP by covering scams in the past and also suggested that they now have the opportunity to cover the news of action against the corrupt and increase their TRP.
Highlighting the working culture of the government during the Ukraine crisis, the Prime Minister underlined that the government connected with about 14 thousand families, and sent a representative of the government to each house. “We assured them in difficult times that the government is with them”, he said, “India Moment gets energy from such governance full of human sensibilities.” He also underlined that the nation would not have won such a huge battle against Corona if this human touch was missing from governance.
“Whatever India is achieving today, it is due to the power of our democracy, the power of our institutions”, Shri Modi remarked. He said that the world is witnessing the democratically elected government of India take decisive decisions. He informed that India has created many new institutions in the past years and gave the example of the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. He also touched upon NITI Aayog playing a big role in deciding the future roadmap, the National Company Law Tribunal playing an important role in strengthening corporate governance in the country, and the role of the GST Council in creating a modern tax system in India.
He also noted that many elections were successfully held in the country amid Corona. “In the midst of the global crisis, today India\’s economy is strong, the banking system is strong. This is the strength of our institutions”, he said. He informed that the government has given 220 crore doses of corona vaccine so far. “I think our democracy and our democratic institutions are being attacked the most because of this. But I am sure, even in the midst of these attacks, India will move fast towards its goals, and will achieve its goals”, he added.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to expand the role of Indian Media globally and said, “We have to strengthen India Moment with ‘Sabka Prayas’ and empower the journey of a developed India in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.”
