Naxalism Significantly Down, 25 Crore Lifted from Poverty: PM’s Ekta Diwas Address
Ekta Nagar (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appealed to citizens to unite and dedicate themselves to the nation’s progress to realize the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Addressing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Prime Minister highlighted key national achievements and the need for collective resolve.
Highlights from the Address: Internal Security: PM Modi stated that the government has dealt a powerful blow to Naxalism and Maoist terrorism since 2014. He noted that the number of Maoist-affected districts has dramatically reduced from nearly a hundred before 2014 to just eleven currently, with only three districts remaining seriously impacted.
Poverty Alleviation: He credited transparent governance and corruption-free policies for national development, stating that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty in the past decade.
Call for Unity: Urging every citizen to reject any thought or action that weakens the nation’s fabric, the Prime Minister emphasized unity as the mantra for national strength. He recalled Sardar Patel’s “seemingly impossible” achievement of uniting over 550 princely states after Independence, embodying the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
Cultural Strength: The Prime Minister praised India’s linguistic diversity and its rich spiritual heritage—symbolized by the Dwadash Jyotirlingas, Shaktipeeths, and Char Dhams—as binding forces for the nation.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister offered floral tributes at the Statue of Unity, administered the Ekta Diwas pledge, and witnessed the grand Ekta Diwas Parade featuring BSF, CRPF, and state police contingents, along with a spectacular air show by the Indian Air Force’s ‘Surya Kiran’ team.
