Hostile Pak attempted retaliation, defeated decisively: PM Modi

New Delhi, May 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said that a country born after partition had focused on hostility towards India and causing harm while India was committed to eradicating poverty, strengthening its economy, and achieving development.

Unveiling Rs 24,000-crore projects in Dahod, Gujarat, and Rs 80,000-crore tribal uplift plan across 60,000 villages, he emphasised that Indiaís cultural values demand action against injustice.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi questioned whether the nation could remain silent after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Operation Sindoor was not just a military action but a reflection of Indias values and emotions, PM Modi said.

He said that terrorists had no idea of the consequences of their actions, recalling the brutality of killing a father in front of his children.

The PM said that such images still ignite anger across the nation, as 140 crore Indians were challenged by terrorism.

He said that he fulfilled his responsibility as the nation’s leader, giving full freedom to India’s armed forces, who then executed an operation unseen in decades.

PM Modi highlighted that nine major terror hubs across the border were identified and destroyed in 22 minutes, and said that Pakistan’s military attempted retaliation but was decisively defeated by Indian forces.

He reiterated his deep respect for the valour of India’s armed forces, saluting their courage and dedication from the sacred land of Dahod.

The PM highlighted that a developed India can only be built when both its armed forces and economy are strong.

He said that the government is continuously working in this direction, ensuring national security and economic growth go hand in hand.

PM Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod, Gujarat.

He said that May 26 holds special significance as it marks the day he first took the oath as Prime Minister in 2014.

The PM acknowledged the unwavering support and blessings of the people of Gujarat, who entrusted him with the responsibility of leading the nation.

He said that this trust and encouragement had fueled his dedication to serving the country day and night.

“Over the years, India has taken decisions which were unprecedented and unimaginable, breaking free from decades-old constraints and advancing across every sector,” PM Modi said.

“Today, the nation has emerged from an era of despair and darkness into a new age of confidence and optimism,” he said.

“Over 140 crore Indians are united in building a Viksit Bharat,” the PM said, emphasising the importance of manufacturing essential goods within India, stating that self-reliance is the need of the hour.

He said that India was advancing rapidly in the global manufacturing sector, noting that both domestic production and exports were increasing consistently.

“India is now exporting a wide range of products, including smartphones, automobiles, toys, defense equipment, and medicines,” PM Modi said.

He said that India was not only manufacturing rail and metro technology but also exporting it globally.

Citing Dahod as a prime example of this progress, where major projects worth thousands of crores were inaugurated and launched, the PM highlighted the Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory as a significant achievement.

He recalled laying its foundation stone three years ago and expressed pride that the first electric locomotive had now been successfully manufactured.

PM Modi flagged off the locomotive, marking a moment of pride for Gujarat and the entire country.

Additionally, he announced that Gujarat has achieved 100 percent electrification of its railway network, calling it a remarkable milestone and congratulated the people of Gujarat for this achievement.

Reflecting on his long-standing connection with Dahod and recalling the many memories associated with the region, the PM said that he had been visiting Dahod for decades, and during his early years, he often explored the area on a bicycle.

He said that these experiences allowed him to understand both the challenges and potential of Dahod.

“Even after assuming office as CM, I continued to visit the region multiple times and took decisive steps to address its issues,” PM Modi said.

He emphasised that every development initiative in Dahod brings him immense satisfaction, and today was yet another meaningful day for him.

Highlighting the rapid development of India’s railway sector over the past 10-11 years, the PM emphasised the expansion of metro services and the introduction of semi-high-speed trains, transforming connectivity across the country.

He said that Vande Bharat trains now operate on nearly 70 routes, further strengthening India’s transportation network.

PM Modi announced the commencement of a new Vande Bharat Express between Ahmedabad and Veraval.

He said that the rise of modern trains in India was due to the country’s advancements in technology.

The PM said that coaches and locomotives were now manufactured domestically, reducing reliance on imports.

“India has emerged as a leading exporter of railway equipment,” he said, noting that India exports metro coaches to Australia and train coaches to England, Saudi Arabia, and France.

PM Modi said that Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Italy also import railway-related components from India.

He said that Indian passenger coaches were being used in Mozambique and Sri Lanka, and ‘Made in India’ locomotives were being exported to multiple countries.

The PM said that this reflects the continuous expansion of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, reinforcing national pride.

“A strong railway network enhances convenience and boosts industries and agriculture,” he said, highlighting that several regions in India received railway connectivity for the first time in the past decade.

PM Modi said that many areas in Gujarat previously had only small, slow-moving trains, but several narrow-gauge routes had now been expanded.

Announcing the inauguration of multiple railway routes, including the new express train between Dahod and Valsad, which would greatly benefit the tribal belt, he said that factories create large-scale employment opportunities for youth.

The PM said that Dahod’s rail factory would manufacture 9000-horsepower locomotives, significantly enhancing the power and capacity of India’s trains, noting that every locomotive produced in Dahod would bear the name of the city.

He said that hundreds of locomotives would be built in the coming years, generating substantial employment for local youth. PM Modi said that the factory would also support small-scale industries producing railway components, leading to economic growth in surrounding areas.

He said that employment opportunities extend beyond the factory, benefiting farmers, livestock owners, shopkeepers, and laborers, ensuring widespread economic progress.

The PM said that Gujarat had made remarkable progress across multiple sectors, including education, IT, semiconductors, and tourism.

He emphasised that the state had established itself as a leader in various industries.

PM Modi said that a major semiconductor plant was being set up in Gujarat with an investment of thousands of crores, further strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor industry.

He said that these initiatives were creating new employment opportunities for lakhs of youth in Gujarat, contributing to the State’s economic growth and development. Underlining that Dahod, Vadodara, Godhra, Kalol, and Halol have collectively established a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor in Gujarat, the PM said that Vadodara was rapidly advancing in aircraft manufacturing, with the Airbus assembly line inaugurated a few months ago. He said that Vadodara was also home to India’s first Gati Shakti University.

PM Modi said that Savli already has a major rail-car manufacturing factory, while Dahod now hosts a facility producing India’s most powerful locomotives - 9000-horsepower engines, marking a moment of pride for the nation.

He said that Godhra, Kalol, and Halol had a significant presence of manufacturing units, small industries, and MSMEs, contributing to Gujarat’s industrial growth.

“Envisioning a future where Gujarat will be known for producing everything from bicycles and motorcycles to railway engines and aircraft, the PM said stressing that such a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor was rare globally, reinforcing Gujarat’s position as an industrial powerhouse.

“The development of tribal regions is essential for building a developed India,” he said, underlining that unprecedented efforts had been made over the past 11 years to uplift tribal communities.

PM Modi said that his long experience working in Gujarat’s tribal areas had contributed to national-level initiatives.

He recalled a time when tribal children in Gujarat faced challenges in studying science.

The PM said that today, the entire tribal belt had access to quality education, with good colleges, ITIs, medical colleges, and two dedicated tribal universities serving these communities.

Stressing that the network of Eklavya Model Schools had strengthened significantly over the past 11 years, ensuring better educational opportunities for tribal students, he said that Dahod itself had several Eklavya Model Schools, further supporting tribal education.

Highlighting the significant efforts being made for the development of tribal communities across the country, PM Modi said that for the first time in independent India's history, a major scheme had been launched to uplift tribal villages.

He said that the 'Dhartii Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' was a landmark initiative, with the Central Government investing approximately Rs 80,000 crore to implement the programme.

The PM said that under this scheme, development work was being carried out in more than 60,000 villages across the country, including Gujarat.

He highlighted that these villages were being equipped with electricity, water, roads, schools, and hospitals to improve the quality of life.

PM Modi said that pucca houses were being built for tribal families, ensuring better living conditions for the community.

He emphasised his commitment to uplifting the most marginalised tribal communities, stating that his government prioritises those who have long been overlooked.

The PM highlighted that for the first time, the government had introduced the PM Janman Yojana to support particularly vulnerable tribal groups who have been deprived of essential facilities for decades.

He said that under this scheme, new infrastructure and amenities were being developed in tribal villages, and new employment opportunities were being created, ensuring greater economic and social inclusion for these communities.

Highlighting the launch of a national mission to free tribal communities from sickle cell anemia, PM Modi said that millions of tribal citizens had already undergone screening under this initiative.

He emphasised that the government was committed to accelerating the development of regions that have lagged behind. The PM said that over 100 districts were previously classified as backward, with many of them being tribal-dominated areas. He said that Dahod was one such district, but today, it was progressing as an Aspirational District, undergoing a transformation with modern infrastructure and smart facilities.

PM Modi highlighted that South Dahod faced severe water shortages, but now, hundreds of kilometers of pipelines have been laid, ensuring Narmada water reaches every household.

He said that over the past years, 11 lakh acres of land from Umargam to Ambaji had been connected to irrigation, making agriculture easier for tribal communities.

Acknowledging the overwhelming presence of thousands of women in Vadodara, who gathered to honour the nation and its armed forces, the PM expressed his deep respect and gratitude to the women of India for their unwavering support.

He highlighted that Dahod was a land of sacrifice and dedication, recalling that Maharishi Dadhichi gave up his life on the banks of the Dudhimati River to protect creation. PM Modi also noted that this region supported freedom fighter Tatya Tope in times of crisis and that Mangarh Dham stands as a symbol of the sacrifices made by Govind Guru and hundreds of tribal warriors.

Highlighting the immense potential of Dahod, stating that the event is just a glimpse of its capabilities, the PM expressed full confidence in the hardworking people of Dahod, emphasising that they will make the best use of the newly developed facilities and transform Dahod into one of the most developed districts in the country.

He congratulated the people of Dahod, reaffirming his belief in their dedication and progress.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendrabhai Patel and Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw were present among other dignitaries at the event.