Country needs purification of politics, transparency in governance:Modi in Delhi

New Delhi, 2 October 2013

It is time for purification of politics in the country bringing in clean governance and steer India on the road to development, Shri Narendra Modi said, adding that the attitude of Indian youth today is for transparency in functioning of the democratically elected government.

In his address to thousands of college students here, Shri Modi explained his definition of secularism as simply put, “Nation First, India First.” If all our decisions are predicated on the belief of ‘justice to all, appeasement of none’, then this is what is meant by secular. Only a true leadership with a visionary approach can lead the country which understands the pulse of its youth power, he told a cheering crowd of youngsters at the Culmination Convention of ‘Manthan’ — a nationwide contest on innovative solutions to 14 challenges the country is facing, organized by Citizens of Accountable Governance (CAG).

Shri Modi was invited as the speaker for the finale after in an online poll nearly 84 per cent youngsters voted for him as the leader they would like to listen.

Shri Modi after spending whole day watching innovative presentations made by students from various IITs, IIMs, law schools and other universities, congratulated the youth for offering solutions to critical issues of education, poverty, health, judiciary etc through best use of technological interventions.

In a reply to a query from a youth about leaders with criminal antecedents contesting elections, Shri Modi said that the Supreme Court’s verdict on the same has shown the mood of the nation. The youth of the country will never accept a dishonest government, he added. The Centre doesn’t want to run the country on clean politics, hence they had not got the fresh ordinance.

Speaking about the importance of voter registration, Shri Modi said that being a voter is a matter of pride but this is not happening. “We need to be proud to be voters as by becoming a voter, a youth becomes a “Bhagya Vidhata” of India. Let this message spread through the CAG. The ideas we get from people have the strength to take the nation ahead.”

Praising the techno-savvy youth in the country who seeks more and more transparency in governance, the Gujarat Chief Minister said that policy makers in India have to take notice of youth’s ideas and innovations in drafting policies for nation’s growth.

Outlay, outcome, and social audit must be necessary inductions into administrative process, Shri Modi said mentioning how for centuries, civilisation settled on riverbanks. Then times changed and cities sprung up next to roads. In the coming days, settlements will rise where optical fibres pass through. He expressed his firm belief in quality of education that can see great improvement by embracing information technology.

Shri Modi flayed the Government offices for making a big deal about secrecy in policy-making. He spoke about Gujarat’s initiative in encouraging openness in governance by putting draft policies online and gathering inputs from the people. Such an endeavour on part of the government not only breaks the tradition of secrecy but also involved people’s involvement in the process.

Emphasising on tourism sector which offers possibility of creating maximum employment with minimum investment, Shri Modi recalled his communication to the Chief Ministers of the States in the North-East and expressed the desire to integrate women police for tourism policing in Gujarat. The idea was two-fanged: One to achieve national solidarity by exposing north-east culture with that of Gujarat, and second to promote tourism through Gujarati tourists.

The Gujarat Chief Minister shared his Gujarat experience of continuous 10 percent agricultural growth for a decade. He informed the audience that research done in laboratory will have to be brought to land. Agriculture technology needs to be made subjects in ITI in order to make the farmer prosper.

He further said that agriculture should be divided into three parts — one third regular farming, one third animal husbandry, and one third agro-forestry. India imports timber. But if agro-forestry is put into effect, no farmer will ever have reason to commit suicide.

The nation wants development. The youth wants to make their career. The Government has to rise up to the expectation of the people, Shri Modi said. He emphasised on women empowerment by providing them financial independence and an integral part in the decision-making process of the country.

Criticising the lackadaisical approach of the UPA Government, Shri Modi recalled his meeting with the Prime Minister where the Gujarat CM suggested that 500 cities be selected across the country and equipped for solid waste management and waste water treatment. The Prime Minister asked him to make a report on the matter but eventually nothing came of it. So the plan was put into effect in 50 towns of Gujarat.

Citing the devastating earthquake in Kutchch in 2001, Shri Modi shared how good governance put the calamity-struck area rise to new heights of prosperity in just three years time whereas the World bank report stated that any natural calamity takes a minimum seven years time to get back to normalcy.

Highlights

-The government is not reading the pulse of the nation, otherwise, it would not have committed the mistake of bringing an ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers.

-For some people, secularism is a small tool to throw dust into the eyes of the public. I am surprised at the dialogue of the Prime Minister said during his return from America. These are dialogues of the 1980s. This is the 21st century. Today, people need development … they need to build their futures.

-Delhi government has no inkling of what people of the nation think, otherwise they would not have committed the mistake of bringing an ordinance. “Jootey bhi khaye, pyaz bhi khaye” (suffered beating by shoes and also forced to eat onions). The government was destined to suffer double jeopardy. In between, the Prime Minister’s also lost his turban.The Prime Minister also “lost his voice in America” after the public denouncement of the government on the ordinance.

-This nation needs cleansing of politics. This nation needs a clean government. Though people of the country wish corruption is rooted out, the determination should begin at the top.