During his visit to Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects amounting to 19,000 crore rupees. He used the occasion to address the upcoming festive season and appeal to the public to buy indigenous products. He emphasized that the company’s origin shouldn’t matter; what matters is the product being made in India.
In Assam, PM Modi criticized the Congress party, alleging that they had disrespected Bhupen Hazarika. He mentioned the Congress’s stance, expressing his pain as a devotee of Lord Shiva, who absorbs negativity, at the perceived disrespect toward the people of Assam.
Modi stated, ‘140 crore Indians are my remote control,’ and that he has no other. He accused the Congress of arrogance and urged the people of Assam and the nation to hold the Congress accountable for their alleged actions against Bhupen Da. He emphasized that respecting Assam’s cultural heritage and accelerating its development are key priorities for the ‘double-engine’ government.
Addressing Assam’s development, the Prime Minister pointed out that the combined efforts of the government and Assam are making the state a prominent player both domestically and globally. He mentioned India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing countries, with Assam also experiencing rapid growth. He contrasted the past, where Assam lagged, with the current growth rate of 13 percent, and recognized the ongoing support for Chief Minister Himanta and his team. He highlighted the BJP government’s dedication to establishing Assam as a driver of India’s progress. The announcement included development projects worth 6,500 crore rupees. The PM extended congratulations to everyone for the Darrang Medical College, highways, and ring roads. He emphasized that the entire nation is working together toward a developed India. He stated that a developed India is both a dream and a commitment for the youth, and the Northeast has a significant role to play in this vision.
Modi stated that the next phase of the 21st century belongs to the Northeast. He highlighted the critical role of strong connectivity in accelerating development and the government’s focus on it. This initiative has created new employment opportunities for the youth. He compared the situation under the Congress, which built only three bridges on the Brahmaputra in 60-65 years, to the current government’s construction of six major bridges in a decade. He said the country is preparing for the future, based on the needs of the next 25-50 years, with the goal of achieving a developed India by 2047, which is India’s 100th year of independence.
He announced that GST rates would be lowered on the first day of Navratri, resulting in lower healthcare and insurance costs. He said this decision would enhance the festive atmosphere. He urged people to buy only ‘Swadeshi’ (indigenous) goods during the festive period. He encouraged everyone to commit to purchasing Made in India products, clarifying his definition of ‘Swadeshi’ as products manufactured in India, regardless of the company’s origin. He stressed that the financial benefit and labor should remain in India, and the products should represent the essence of India.