Former Union Minister and BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Singh Thakur visited the historic Jakhu Temple in Shimla on Monday, where he offered prayers and sought the blessings of Lord Hanuman. He later participated in a tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, reiterating the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said the completion of 12 years of the Narendra Modi government has been marked by service, good governance, transparency, national security and inclusive development.
He said India has risen from being the world's 10th-largest economy in 2014 to the fifth-largest economy today, while remaining one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
He said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, more than 25 crore people have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty. Flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India, Startup India, PM Vishwakarma and PM-Kisan have transformed the lives of millions across the country.
Thakur further said India successfully overcame the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, carried out one of the world's largest vaccination drives, strengthened national security, promoted self-reliance through Aatmanirbhar Bharat, expanded digital governance and enhanced its global standing through the successful G20 Presidency.
He said Prime Minister Modi has consistently followed the principle of "India First", ensuring that national interests remain paramount in every global decision.
Referring to Himachal Pradesh, Thakur said the state has received unprecedented support from the Central Government over the past decade. He highlighted major projects and initiatives, including AIIMS Bilaspur, expansion of the national highway network, improved road connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Ujjwala Yojana, saying these have significantly improved the quality of life of the people.
He said projects worth over Rs 2,247 crore have been approved for Himachal Pradesh under PMGSY, including 294 rural road projects, with the Centre contributing the bulk of the funding. He added that the Central Government has consistently extended financial support to the state for infrastructure development, disaster recovery, healthcare and capital investment, reaffirming its commitment to Himachal Pradesh's overall development.
Replying to a question on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Thakur said its implementation remains a firm commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said the process has already begun in Uttarakhand and will gradually be extended to other states.
Responding to a question on Pakistan, he said the neighbouring country has failed in almost every sphere except promoting terrorism. He alleged that blaming India for its internal failures has become Pakistan's habitual excuse, while India continues to progress rapidly in development, global leadership and economic growth under Prime Minister Modi.
Later, Thakur met Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta and also visited Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan at his residence to inquire about his health. Mahajan was rushed to hospital on Saturday after he fainted due to low blood pressure during a BJP protest on the Mall Road in Shimla.
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