MANDI: Prime Minister Narender Modi invoked gods and goddess of Chhoti Kashi here and termed the non-BJP ruling states as the promoters of “ ideology of adjournments” (Vilamb Ki Vichardhara) and double engine BJP governments as promoters of “ideology of development” (Vikas Ki Vichardhara) to pin down Congress in Himachal.
He said the Central government had fixed the target of installing 40 per cent power capacity from renewable sector by 2030, but it has achieved this target in 2021. This is the speed at which double engine government is working in India today, he asserted.
Modi got a rousing reception from the chock-a-block crowds in Paddal Maidan as soon as he rose to speak, cheering him with “Eka Bar Modi, Bar-Bar Modi” slogans amid the beating of musical drums and 'horn singe" played by traditional Bajantris from Seraj and Kullu.
Modi said the double engine government of Jai Ram Thakur gave water to 7 lakh households in four years, whereas the previous governments had given water to seven lakh people in seven decades. This is speed of development of double engine government in Himachal Pradesh, he said.
Modi cited examples of Atal Rohtang tunnel and Renukaji dam project. Tunnel was delayed for many years and the dam was delayed for 29 years, foundation stone of Renukaji dam was laid today, he said.
Prime Minister said they fought corona pandemic in good two years time, even then development moved on in Himachal, which became first in India to vaccinate its cent percent adult population to save life of people. “It will work with same energy and speed when vaccination of children in 15-18 age group will start from January 3, 2022” , he said praising the role that Himachal's pharma industry played in manufacturing of medicines.
Recalling Mandi’s rich cuisine like Sepu Badi, Katchauri, Modi strike an emotional chord with the responding crowd saying that his relationship with Himachal and mountains has always given him new directions for development of the country.
Modi praised Jai Ram Thakur’s government saying that his team worked with sense of service to the poor and they left no stone unturned in development of Himachal even during the Corona period. Himachal got AIIMS, four medical colleges, connectivity and new projects started today, will give new speed to development in Himachal .
Talking about global investors meet and exhibition, Modi said it will give a new path for employment for youth and four power projects will boost economy. Swara-Kuddu project will give an income of Rs 125 crore and Renukaji dam when ready it will give income that will be spent on local development, he said.
He said his government is facilitating an “ease of living model. The renewable energy and solar power projects will protect ecology and all such resources should be tapped, India has made its global presence in this sector, he added.
Pleading tourists not to litter mountains, Modi said the government would protect mountains and ecology and rivers and is working towards making the state free from single-use plastics by recycling them for use in roads. “The tourists should share their responsibility to keep river clean so that they enjoy nature which has bestowed Himachal with enormous gifts”, Modi said.
Talking about industry and tourism, Modi said Tourism, industry, pharma, small projects, cold storage have vast potential in Himachal. Natural farming will rid agriculture from chemicals, which has attracted attention of world. Himachal is doing a good job in natural farming as 1.5 lakh farmers have already adopted it to show a way to the country, he said.
Modi said the double engine government is working on a new model of development - Sabka sath, sabka vikas and sabka Vishwas for inclusive development of the country.
Modi said they treat both Beta and Beti on equal pedestal and to give strength to this vision, marriageable age for Betis is being increased to 21 years at par with that of 'Betas'. They will get time for education and to make their career, he said and got applauds from women participants.
He said they are committed for ease of living for its citizens. PM Gram Sarak Yojna will give connectivity in left-out villages. The LPG gas connection and toilets facilities have changed plight of women”.
As soon as Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur rose to speak the rally crowds gave him long load cheers, “Ek Bar Jai Ram Ji, Bar-Bar Jai Ram Ji” to celebrate four years of the state government under his leadership.
He said whenever Narender Modi comes to Himachal he always feels as if it was his own home and People here also have a special place for him in their heart, recalling Modi’s long association with Himachal. He pointed towards the Paddal Maidan and College campus and temples saying that they are heritage of Mandi. Shiv Dham project will add another attraction for the visitors in Chhoti Kashi.
Thanking Prime Minister for initiating projects worth Rs 12,200 crore today on completion of four years of the government, Jai Ram Thakur said Himachal has done tremendous progress for the last 50 years. People lead a tough life in mountains but they have come of age. It is a golden jubilee year of its statehood as well, he said.
Jai Ram Thakur said in the 2nd global investors meet today the projects worth Rs. 28197 crore participated in the ground-breaking ceremony. The first was held in Shimla in which they had a ground breaking ceremony worth Rs 13600 crore. These projects will give a new pace to development in Himachal, he said.
Highlighting achievements of four years of the state government, Thakur said Ayushman scheme benefitted 1.6 lakh poor people in Himachal. Himcare gave free treatment to 2.20 lakh people on which state spent Rs 200 crore, providing universal health coverage to people.
Because of the support of frontline workers, public and from the Modi government, Himachal became first state in India to vaccinate cent percent of its adult population, Thakur said.
He said under Ujjuala yojana, as many as 1.36 lakh families got benefits while 3 lakh families got LPG connections under CM Grihini Suvidha yojna that has taken the Central schemes to next level in the state.
Jai Ram Thakur said nobody is without house in Himachal. Still 8000 houses were built for the poor, who now live in these better houses, he said.
Thakur said Atal Tunnel has become a big tourist draw and connectivity has linked the valley.
He said AIIMS Bilaspur will be ready by June 2022 and four medical colleges were set in Himachal. The state government gave new impetus to projects and schemes started by the central government.
Jai Ram Thakur said his government with the support of the top BJP leadership and workers will leave no stone unturned to repeat the government in the 2022 state assembly elections.
Earlier, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur highlighted how Prime Minister transformed make-up of Kashi Vishwanath and Kedarnath and holy Ganga. PM gave AIIMS, Bilaspur, four medical colleges to the state.
He took India to new heights, by protecting India's cultural heritage by initiating development. It was a tall task to fight corona, but India has given 140 crore doses to Indians till today just because of vision of Prime Minister, Thakur said.
Congratulating Jai Ram Thakur for four years of development in Himachal, Anurag Thakur said Modi has a special bond with people of Himachal. The new projects will push up development in the state, he added.
Earlier, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also gave Trishul as a token of honour to Prime Minister.
State Governor Rajinder Vishwanath Arlekar, Former Chief Minister PK Dhumal, MPs Indu Goswami and Suresh Kashyap were also present on the stage. BJP general secretary and Sundarnagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal anchored the rally.
(Kuldeep Chauhan is Editor, HimbuMail)
