NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that August 5 will be remembered in history.
He listed three significant developments in recent history – the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5 last year, and the Indian men's hockey team's win over Germany today – to signify the importance of August 5. He said the date has once again brought happiness and excitement to the people.
“Two years ago on this day, Article 370 was abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir. On this day last year, the first step was taken towards the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Today, construction of a grand Ram Temple is underway”, said PM Modi.
“New India is gaining global recognition not through ranks, but by winning medals. It has been proved that one's progress is decided by hard work, not family. Indian youth is moving forward, it's progressing,” PM Modi added.
PM said this during his interaction with beneficiaries of the scheme through video-conferencing as the state observed the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana Day.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi lauded the hard work of the Indian men's hockey team and its Australian coach Graham Reid during a telephonic conversation with skipper Manpreet Singh and the support staff after the team's bronze medal win at the Olympic Games.
Modi called Manpreet and congratulated him and the team for the 5-4 victory over Germany.
PM launches awareness campaign
Prime Minister Modi also launched a massive awareness programme throughout Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no beneficiary is left out from availing the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also in attendance.
PM interacts with beneficiaries of food security scheme in UP
The PM interacted with beneficiaries present at select fair price shops in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Moradabad, Hamirpur, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Bahraich, Shahjahanpur, Kaushambi and Agra.
Almost 15 crore beneficiaries in the state have been getting rations free of cost through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, an official statement said.
Nearly 80,000 fair price shops in UP have been distributing foodgrains to beneficiaries of the scheme, it added.
District supply and marketing officers ensure the availability of foodgrains at every fair price shop, the statement said.
PM slams opposition for stalling Parliament
Criticising opposition parties for stalling Parliament over the Pegasus spyware controversy and other issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that they cannot stop the country from marching forward.
These parties are trying to stop the transaction of business in Parliament, he said in a no-holds-barred attack on the Opposition.
The sole intention of the opposition parties is to create roadblocks on the path of development, the prime minister said, as he termed their action “anti national”.
“Bharat chall padha hain (India is on the move),” the PM said as he listed the achievements of his government on various fronts.
Mocking his political rivals, Modi said that on one hand, the country was scoring goal after goal, an apparent reference to Olympic medals, while on the other, some were trying to score self-goals to meet their political agenda.
Since the start of the Monsoon session on July 19, parliamentary proceedings have been witnessing disruptions due to protests by Opposition parties. The session is likely to conclude next week.
(With inputs from agencies)
