Paying glowing tributes to former president APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said a fitting tribute to the late leader would be to develop India in all spheres when the country celebrated its 75th independence day in 2022.
Addressing a public meeting at Mandapam, near here after dedicating to nation, the memorial of former president APJ Abdul Kalam on Thursday, he said Mr Kalam had dreamt for a developed India and called upon the youth to resolve to fulfil his dream by 2022. “This will be the fitting tribute to Mr Kalam”, he added.
The centre has come out with the start up India and stand up India programmes for the younger generation, not to help them to seek employment but make them become entrepreneurs and provide employment to others, he said.
Citing epic Ramanayana, Mr Modi said like the squirrel helped Lord Ram to build Ram Sethu all should contribute for the development of the country. “If each one of the 125 crore people marched one foot ahead like the squirrel, the India will march 125 crore foot ahead,” he said.
After introducing entrepreneurship skill development training programme, the Centre has launched Pradan Mantri Mudra Yojana to provide financial assistance without collateral securities. Under the scheme, eight crore youths have been given Mudra loan, amounting to Rs 4,00,000 crores, he said adding he was happy to note that more than one crore beneficiaries were from Tamil Nadu.
Stating that the centre and state governments together should take the country in the path of development, Mr Modi congratulated Tamil Nadu government for implementing the centrally sponsored schemes and taking the benefits to the people. He assured that the centre would help Tamil Nadu in its development programmes.
The centre has helped the state in developing smart cities, including Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Kancheepuram and has sanctioned Rs 9000 crore for the development of these cities, he added. Similarly, under the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) the centre has released 4,700 crores for the development of 43 cities in the state, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off ‘Kalam Sandesh vahini’, an exhibition bus carrying Kalam’s Vision 2020 in Rameswaram on Thursday
Claiming that there was healthy competition among states in implementing Swachh Bharat Mission, he said he was confident Tamil Nadu would take the lead from the front in the mission. He assured to provide eight lakh houses under the Pradan Mantri Awas Yojana if the state government sent the proposal.
Stating he missed ‘Amma’ (former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa) Mr Modi said had she been around, she would have greatly appreciated the workers for building a wonderful memorial for Mr Kalam. At the request of Mr Modi, those gathered at the function gave a standing ovation for the more than 450 workers who worked overtime but never claimed extra payment. Mr Modi also complimented DRDO for building the memorial within a short span of time.
