On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his home-state Gujarat, where he claimed that the country’s education system is undergoing transformation with the new National Education Policy. The policy was curated keeping in mind the demands and opportunities of the 21st century. During his one-day visit, Modi had a packed itinerary that included speaking at the All India Teachers’ Federation convention, laying the foundation stone of various projects worth ₹4,400 crore in Gandhinagar, participating in the Griha Pravesh of 19,000 houses built under PMAY, and visiting municipal facilities in Ahmedabad, among other engagements.
At the teachers’ federation event, Modi highlighted that “Our education system is transforming, and with it our teachers & children are also transforming. What is crucial in this phase of transformation is how we move forward.” He also added that lakhs of teachers have contributed to the making of the National Education Policy and that the policy was made keeping in mind the creation of new opportunities in sync with the needs of the 21st century.
Modi visited the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), his brainchild when he was the chief minister of Gujarat, and reviewed the status of various ongoing projects there. He also visited key infrastructure facilities in Ahmedabad, including the 'Underground Utility Tunnel' and 'Automated Waste Collection Segregation Plant' set up by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
In Gandhinagar, the state capital, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth over ₹2,450 crore, including projects of the Urban Development Department, Water Supply Department, Road and Transport Department, and Mines and Minerals Department. He also inaugurated the augmentation of multi-village drinking water supply schemes in Banaskantha district, a river overbridge in Ahmedabad, a drainage collection network at Naroda GIDC, sewage treatment plants in Mehsana and Ahmedabad, and an auditorium in Dahegam, among other projects.
"Unprecedented development in the last 9 years"
The Prime Minister said that the people have been experiencing unprecedented development in the last 9 years. He recalled a time when even basic facilities were rare for the citizens. He said that the country is coming out of that despondency.
He said that the government is trying to reach everyone and efforts are on for the 100 per cent saturation of benefits of the schemes.
"For us, the development of the country is a conviction and a commitment", the Prime Minister remarked as he underlined that the government is striving for the saturation of all government schemes.
This approach by the government, PM Modi said, has put an end to corruption and discrimination.
"The true meaning of secularism is when there is no discrimination at all", the Prime Minister said as he stated that social justice occurs when the government works towards the benefit of everyone in the society.
PM Modi on basic necessities of life
Informing that roughly 32,000 homes have been completed and handed over to the beneficiaries in the last year, the Prime Minister underlined that the self-confidence of the poor gets a huge boost when they are least worried about the basic necessities of life.
He also highlighted the differences between the work culture of the present government and the governments of the past and said that the country cannot transform by moving on the path of failed policies.
He said, "The country cannot transform its fate and become a developed nation by moving forward on the path of failed policies".
Throwing light on the statistics of the last decade, the Prime Minister pointed out that roughly 75 per cent of homes in rural areas lacked the facility of a toilet even though policies were already in place.
"After 2014, the government did not limit itself to only providing a roof for the poor but turned the homes into a basis for tackling poverty and a medium for strengthening their dignity. Under PMAY, the beneficiaries have a say in the construction of houses where the government transfers the financial aid directly into their bank accounts", said PM Modi as he touched upon the geotagging of such houses.
(With inputs from ANI)
