PM Narendra Modi announces ‘Demography Mission’ launch

New Delhi, Aug 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore in Gaya, spanning sectors such as energy, healthcare, connectivity, and urban infrastructure.

Addressing a public meeting, the Prime Minister described Gaya as a land of spirituality and enlightenment, recalling its association with Lord Buddha. He praised the Bihar government for respecting local sentiments by formally recognising the city as “Gaya ji.” PM Modi said the projects launched in Bihar would strengthen industrial capacity, improve healthcare, and generate employment. He inaugurated the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Muzaffarpur, the Buxar Thermal Power Plant, the Aunta–Simaria six-lane bridge over the Ganga, and multiple highway, rail, and sewerage projects. He also flagged off two new trains, including the Amrit Bharat Express between Gaya and Delhi.

Highlighting the government’s housing initiatives, the Prime Minister said over four crore pucca houses have been built across the country in the past 11 years, including more than 38 lakh in Bihar. He added that homes constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were not just shelters but “symbols of dignity,” equipped with electricity, water, toilets, and gas connections.

Turning to security concerns, the Prime Minister referred to recent terror attacks and asserted that “Operation Sindoor” had set a new benchmark in India’s defence strategy. He warned that infiltrators posed a demographic threat, especially in Bihar’s border districts, and announced the launch of a Demography Mission. Modi highlighted that the demographic profile of Bihar’s border districts is changing rapidly and affirmed that their government has resolved not to let infiltrators decide the future of the nation. The Prime Minister stressed that infiltrators will not be allowed to snatch employment opportunities from Bihar’s youth. He emphasised that facilities meant for Indian citizens will not be looted by infiltrators. To address this threat, the Prime Minister announced the launch of a Demography Mission, which will begin operations very soon. He asserted that every infiltrator will be expelled from the country, urging the people of Bihar to remain vigilant against those within the country who support infiltrators. “Every infiltrator will be expelled from the country, without exception,” he declared, urging people to remain vigilant against those who support them.

Modi accused opposition parties of engaging in appeasement and vote-bank politics, claiming they neglected Bihar’s poor and pushed the state into darkness during the “lantern regime.” He contrasted that with current efforts under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, citing transparent teacher recruitment and new opportunities for local employment through projects such as an industrial hub in Dobhi, Gaya. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and several Union Ministers, including Chirag Paswan and Giriraj Singh, were present at the event.