Issue is not whether Modi succeeds or fails, it's vital that India succeeds : PM Modi

Issue is not whether Modi succeeds or fails, it's vital that India succeeds : PM Modi

New Delhi: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his political opponents and detractors have not been able to play the role of sincere 'critics' and most of the time there are only allegations leveled against him.

In an interview with 'Open Magazine', Mr Modi spoke on a wide range of issues including the vexed farmers' stir and said often his opponents - "think that the issue is not whether these decisions would benefit people, but the issue for them is that if these types of decisions are taken, then no one will be able to stop Modi’s success".

Modi with construction workers 

"I want to urge everyone that the issue is not whether Modi succeeds or fails, it should be about whether our country succeeds".

He said: "You can see the same rajneetik dhokhadhadi (political betrayal of a cause) when it comes to Aadhaar, GST, farm laws and even crucial matters such as arming our security forces. Promise something and make arguments for it but oppose the same thing later without any moral fibre".

Trying to clear several doubts about farmers' agitation and finer issues involved in the same, the Prime Minister said, "We are committed to empowering the small farmers in every way. The farm laws about which you are talking, the Government has been saying right from the first day that on whichever point there is a disagreement, the Government is ready to sit together and discuss those issues". 

He further said, "Many meetings have also been held in this regard but no one till now has come up with a specific point of disagreement that we want this to be changed".

On the role of opposition parties chiefly the Congress, which had promised agrarian reforms,before elections 2019, the Prime Minister said - "If you look at those who are opposing the pro-farmer reforms today, you will see the real meaning of intellectual dishonesty and rajneetik dhokhadhadi.These were the same people who wrote letters to chief ministers asking them to do the exact same thing that our Government has done". 

"These were the same people who wrote in their manifesto that they would enact the same reforms that we have brought. Yet, just because some other political party, blessed by the will of the people, is enacting the same reforms, they have made a complete U-turn in a brazen display of intellectual dishonesty," the Prime Minister said. 

On what he thinks about his 'critics', Mr Modi said - ".....for my own healthy development, I attach a big importance to criticism". 

"I, with an honest mind, respect critics a lot," said Modi, who is often accused of being an autocrat.

The Prime Minister, however, said, "But, unfortunately, the number of critics is very few. Mostly, people only level allegations, the people who play games about perception are more in number. And the reason for this is that, for criticism, one has to do a lot of hard work, research and, in today’s fast-paced world, maybe people don’t have time. So sometimes, I miss critics".

To a specific question, that many benefits of his government's reform measures would 'take time' and hewill not be able to reap the rewards in 2024 general elections, the Prime Minister was unambiguous.

"This question is also the result of old thoughts of political pundits. If this would have been true, then I would not have been given the opportunity by people to work as a head of government for 20 years.

The people of the country are smart enough to understand all good work done with good selfless intentions and support it. And that is why I have been given the opportunity by the people of the country to work as head of the government for 20 continuous years".

"The person who plants a seed should not bother who will get its fruits. The point is not whether I get to reap the benefits of my economic policies or not, the point is that the nation will," Mr Modi added.

ends 

World must heed Gandhi's message of peace, usher in a new era of trust: UN Secretary General 

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday (October 2) paid rich tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 152nd anniversary and said the world should heed his message of peace and usher in a new era of trust and tolerance.

"Hatred, division and conflict have had their day. It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust, and tolerance. On this International Day of Non-Violence - Gandhi's birthday - let's heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all," Guterres tweeted as a tribute to Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat 

Mahatma Gandhi called Veer Savarkar ‘A faithful son of Bharat, brave, clever and…frankly a revolutionary….’ In an article published in 'Young India', Gandhi fiercely argued why ‘Royal Clemency’ should be given to Veer Savarkar !! 

It is argued that veteran Communists M N Roy and E.M.S, who were contemporaries of Savarkar, always held him in high regard. 

Mahatma Gandhi wrote about Savarkar: “The other brother (Veer Savarkar) was born in 1884, and is better known for his career in London. His sensational attempt to escape the custody of the police and his jumping through a porthole in French waters are still fresh in the public mind. He was educated at the Fergusson College, finished off in London and became a barrister. 

"He is the author of the proscribed history of the Sepoy Revolt of 1857. He was tried in 1910, and received the same sentence as his brother on 24th December 1910. He was charged also in 1911 with abetment of murder. No act of violence was proved against him either".

“The Savarkar Brothers’ talent should be utilised for public welfare. As it is, India is in danger of losing her two faithful sons, unless she wakes up in time. One of the brothers I know well. I had the pleasure of meeting him in London. He is brave. He is clever. He is a patriot. He was frankly a revolutionary", - Gandhi also wrote. "The evil, in its hideous form, of the present system of Government, he saw much earlier than I did, He is in the Andamans for his having loved India too well".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at Raj Ghat.

Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, PM Modi on Saturday (October 2) said Bapu's principles are globally relevant and give strength to millions.

"Tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. I bow to respected Bapu on Gandhi Jayanti. The life and ideals of Pujya Bapu will continue to inspire every generation of the country to walk on the path of duty. His noble principles are globally relevant and give strength to millions," he tweeted.

President, Ram Nath Kovind ---

"Gandhiji wrote - The best legal talent must be available to the poorest at reasonable rates. I feel that this advice of Bapu should be followed by the legal fraternity, especially designated senior advocates in Supreme Court and High Courts."

"Homage to Bapu on #Gandhi Jayanti . It is a special day for all Indians to remember Gandhiji's struggles and sacrifice. Let us take a pledge that we will continue to strive for making India a country of Gandhiji's dreams while adhering to his teachings, ideals and values." - President tweeted 

Lal Bahadur Shastri  shares birthday with Mahatma Gandhi.

Shastri, India's second Prime Minister, was born on 2 October 1904.

He breathed his last on January 11, 1966) at Tashkent.

He promoted the White Revolution – a national campaign to increase the production and supply of milk – by supporting the Amul milk co-operative of Anand, Gujarat and creating the National Dairy Development Board. 

Underlining the need to boost India's food production, Shastri also promoted the Green Revolution in India in 1965. This led to an increase in food grain production, especially in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Shastri was born to Sharada Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi in Mughalsarai on 2 October 1904. 

Mughalsari railway station has been renamed in 2018. The railway division as well has been renamed - Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Railway Division.