Unfortunate that questions were raised about India's democracy in London: PM Modi's veiled jibe at Rahul

Last week, Rahul Gandhi told British parliamentarians in London that functioning microphones in the Lok Sabha are often silenced against the Opposition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a veiled jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that it is a shame how some people are questioning India's democracy in London.

PM Modi made the remarks in Karnataka's Hubballi-Dharwad where he laid a foundation stone and dedicated a number of development projects.

Highlighting the contributions of Lord Basaveshwara, the Prime Minister mentioned the establishment of Anubhav Mandapam as most important among many contributions and noted that this democratic system is studied all over the world. He recalled inaugurating the statue of Lord Basaveshwara in London. However, the Prime Minister said, it is unfortunate that India's democracy was questioned in London itself.

"The roots of India's democracy are drawn from our centuries-old history. No power in the world can harm India's democratic traditions", the Prime Minister remarked. "Despite this", the Prime Minister continued, "some people are constantly putting India's democracy in the dock. Such people are insulting Lord Basaveshwara and the people of Karnataka and the country. He warned the people of Karnataka to stay alert from such people.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled getting the opportunity to visit Hubbali earlier this year and highlighted the blessings showered upon him by the people who came out to welcome him. Recalling his visits to Karnataka in the past few years from Bengaluru to Belgavi, Kalburagi to Shivamoga, and Mysuru to Tumkuru, the Prime Minister said that he is indebted to the overwhelming love and affection shown by the Kannadigas and also underlined that the government will work towards fulfilling the needs of the people by making their lives easier, creating many employment opportunities for the youth, empowering the women of the region as a way of repayment.

"The double-engine government of Karnataka strives for the complete development of every district, village and hamlet of the state with utmost honesty", the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister lamented the thought process of yesteryears that expansion of quality education institutions will lead to dilution of their brand. This thinking led to massive loss for the young generation and new India is leaving this way of thinking behind, he said. "Good education should reach everywhere, to everyone. Larger number of quality institutions will ensure the reach of good education to more people", he added. That is why, he continued, that the number of quality institutions is constantly increasing in India during the last 9 years. Number of AIIMS has tripled, 250 medical colleges have been opened in just the last 9 years compared to 380 medical colleges in the seven decades after Independence. Many new IIM and IIT came up during these 9 years.

The Prime Minister said that 21st century India is moving ahead by modernising its cities. He said Hubballi-Dharwad was included in the smart city project and many smart projects have been dedicated today. "Technology, infrastructure and smart governance will take the Hubballi-Dharwad region to new heights", he said.

The Prime Minister underlined the trust that the people of Karnataka have on Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research which is serving in Benguluru, Mysuru and Kalburgi. Now a third branch's foundation stone was laid in Hubballi today.

"Better and advanced infrastructure is not only good to look at but also makes the lives of people easier", the Prime Minister remarked. Highlighting the difficulties faced by people of all communities and ages due to lack of better roads and hospitals, the Prime Minister noted that every citizen of the country is reaping the benefits of advanced infrastructure being developed across the nation. He gave examples of students, farmers and the middle class who are making use of better connectivity to reach their destinations. Throwing light on the work done towards modernizing infrastructure in the last 9 years, the Prime Minister informed that the network of roads in villages has more than doubled through the PM Sadak Yojana, and the National Highway network has increased by more than 55%. He also informed that the number of airports in the country has more than doubled in the last 9 years.

The Prime Minister said that before India was not that prominent in the world of Internet. Today India is among the most powerful digital economies. This happened because the government made the cheap Internet available and took it to villages. "On an average, 2.5 lakh broadband connections were given every day in the last 9 years", he informed. "This speed is coming in the development of infra because today, infrastructure is being built according to the needs of the country. Earlier, rail and road projects were announced after weighing the political profit and loss. We have come up with the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan for the entire country. So that wherever there is a need in the country, infrastructure can be built at a fast pace", he added.

Referring to the unprecedented focus on social infrastructure, the Prime Minister remembered the days of scarcity in the critical areas of housing,toilets, cooking gas, hospitals and drinking etc. He elaborated how these areas have been addressed and all these facilities are being made available. "Today we are giving all the resources to the youth to realize their resolutions in the next 25 years", he said.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister emphasised taking Karnataka's identity tech-future of India further. "Karnataka is the engine of hitech India', the Prime Minister said as he stressed the need for a double-engine government to power this hitech engine of the state.