PANAJI
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his visit to Goa on Tuesday to launch the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While hailing State’s harmony, Modi said that when people of Goa -- with different societies and religions -- coexist peacefully and elect BJP time and again, it sends a strong message to India.
Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Goa 2047’ programme in Margao, attended by thousands of people, Modi said that “peaceful co-existence of Christian and other communities in Goa is an example of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.
“Even though Goa is small in area and population, it is socially diverse and people of different societies and religions have been coexisting in peace for several generations,” Prime Minister said adding “so when these people elect BJP time and again, it sends a strong message to India”.
He highlighted the mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas and lauded the spirit of the people of Goa who have always given a befitting reply to those trying to harm the harmony of the State.
“There are some sections in the country that have always played politics of spreading fear and lies. But Goa has given such sections a befitting reply over and over again,” Modi said.
He was speaking in the presence of Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shripad Yesso Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanawade and other State cabinet Ministers.
Apart from developing Goa as an Educational and Logistic Hub, the Prime Minister said that the double engine government is committed to promote the coastal State as a tourist destination for Conference Tourism.
Informing about his visit to the India Energy Week 2024 earlier in the day, Modi mentioned the multiple important G20 meetings and big diplomatic meetings taking place in Goa in the past years. He also gave examples of tournaments such as the World Table Tennis Championship, World Beach Volleyball Tour, FIFA Under-17 Women Football World Cup and 37th National Games that were organized in Goa taking its identity to the entire world.
The Prime Minister assured that Goa will become a huge centre for such events in the coming years.
Modi praised the good governance model of the Goa Government ‘Swayampurna Goa’ leading to the foremost position of people of Goa on the parameter of well-being. “Development of Goa is proceeding rapidly due to the Double -Engine government”, he said.
Hailing the State government's efforts to provide 100 per cent connectivity of electricity, tap water, LPG and being kerosene-free and Open Defecation free State, he said that State has a saturation coverage in many of the Central government schemes.
“Saturation leads to elimination of discrimination and full transfer of benefits to all beneficiaries. That is why I say, saturation is true secularism, saturation is real social justice and saturation is Modi’s guarantee to Goa and the country”, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister emphasized the collective efforts required for the rapid development of Goa, as he urged everyone to contribute to the State's progress.
Underlining the rapid infrastructure development in Goa, including new roads, bridges, railway routes, and educational institutions, the Prime Minister remarked, "These developments are propelling the growth of Goa to new heights."
Emphasizing the government's efforts to position India as a holistic tourist destination, he stated, "every form of tourism is available in our country, on a single visa. Previous governments lacked vision for the development of tourist destinations, coastal areas, and islands."
Recognizing the potential of eco-tourism in Goa's rural areas, the Prime Minister underscored the government's focus on promoting tourism in Goa's hinterlands to benefit local residents. The Prime Minister also listed initiatives to enhance tourism infrastructure in Goa with the development of modern facilities such as food courts, restaurants, and waiting rooms to make Goa an even more attractive destination.
FOCUS ON FISHERIES: Stating that the Central government has laid major focus on fisheries sector, the Prime Minister touched upon the Matsya Sampada Yojna in this year’s budget and said that it will further bolster assistance and resources to the fishermen community, thereby boosting seafood exports and the income of fishermen. He further added that such efforts create lakhs of job opportunities in the fisheries sector.
