NEW DELHI, Jan 29: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautioned against attempts to sow differences and create divisions in the country and said the mantra of unity was the only way for India to achieve grandeur.
Addressing a rally of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) at the Cariappa Ground in Delhi Cantonment on Saturday, the Prime Minister asserted that any effort to create divisions in the country would not succeed.
The Prime Minister said that the entire world was looking towards India because of the youth of the country. PM Modi said his government had unleashed digital, start-up and innovation revolutions which are benefiting the youth.
“This is the time of new opportunities for the youth of India. Everywhere it is evident that India’s time has arrived,” he said addressing the NCC cadets who took part in the Republic Day celebrations.
Without making any direct reference to the controversy created by some opposition parties and their affiliated student wings over the recent BBC documentary on him in relation to the 2002 Gujarat riots when he was the chief minister of his home state, Modi cautioned the people, and particularly youths, over the attempts to divide the country. “Several pretexts are being raised to break the country. Several issues are raked up to create divisions among the children of Mother India,” he said and added, “Despite such efforts, there will never be differences among the people of India,” he said. “The mantra of unity is the ultimate antidote. The mantra of unity is a pledge as well as India’s strength. This is the only way India will achieve grandeur,” the prime minister said.
He highlighted the reforms in the defence sector, saying assault rifles that were imported earlier were now being manufactured within the country. The Prime Minister said fast-paced border infrastructure work was taking place and it would open a new world of opportunities and possibilities for the youth.
Modi said it was also a time of great possibilities for the daughters of the country. “Police and paramilitary forces have witnessed the number of women doubling in the last eight years. The path has been paved for the deployment of women on the frontiers of all three armed forces,” he said. He said women have been recruited as sailors in the Navy and have also started entering combat roles in the armed forces.
“First batch of women cadets has started training at the National Defence Academy in Pune and 1500 girl students have been admitted in Sainik Schools which were thrown open for the girl students for the first time,” Modi said. He said the National Cadet Corps too has seen a consistent rise in women participation in the last decade.
Earlier, the Prime Minister released a special Day Cover and a commemorative specially minted coin of ₹ 75 denomination, commemorating 75 years of NCC. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NCC Director General Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Harikumar, Chief of Air Staff V R Chaudhari and Defence Secretary Girdhar Armaane were among those present on occasion.
(Manas Dasgupta)