Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged citizens to work with dedication and unity to tackle global challenges, and said that the government prioritises securing India’s interests and safeguarding “families and farmers”.
Referring to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, while addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, the Prime Minister said achieving a “Viksit Bharat” would require collective effort and unity among 1.4 billion citizens to face global challenges. He also stressed that the government's priority is to enhance citizens’ convenience by saving time and reducing costs.
“I once again appeal to the people of the country that we must face this crisis calmly, with patience and unity. This is a global crisis, but we must prioritise India's interests. That is our greatest strength,” he said.
He said he had discussed the situation in detail in Parliament and also held extensive and "very positive" deliberations with Chief Ministers of various states. The Prime Minister also urged political parties, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, to refrain from making irresponsible statements during such times.
“Those who make remarks that harm the country may gain some points in political debates, but such actions will never be forgiven by the people,” he said, recalling how voters rejected misinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PM said that India is confronting the challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia with full strength and that the country is taking all necessary steps to safeguard its citizens. “Conflict has been ongoing in West Asia for over a month. India is confronting this challenge with full strength,” Modi said.
Highlighting that India depends on crude oil and gas from conflict-affected regions, Modi said, “The government is taking necessary steps to ensure the burden does not fall on families and farmers.” He was speaking at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport.
Highlighting the government's aviation policy, Modi said the BJP-led government has focused on expanding airport infrastructure while ensuring affordability for common citizens. ‘We launched the UDAN scheme to ensure that air travel remains within the reach of ordinary families. In the past few years, more than 1.6 crore people have travelled at affordable fares under this scheme,” he said.
He added that the scheme has recently been expanded with an approved outlay of around Rs 29,000 crore, with plans to develop new airports in smaller cities and build around 200 helipads in the coming years. States like Uttar Pradesh will benefit significantly from this expansion, he said.
Modi said India's aviation sector is growing rapidly, leading to increased demand for aircraft, with airlines placing orders for hundreds of planes. “These new aircraft and services will require a large workforce for operations, servicing and maintenance. This presents a huge opportunity for the youth,” he said, adding that the government is expanding training facilities in the aviation sector.
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