NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Rajya Sabha as he replied to the debate on the motion of thanks that concluded last week.
On Friday, the marathon debate in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President’s address had concluded with 50 speakers from 25 political parties taking part in the discussion which was spread over three days.
Opposition parties were initially keen on a separate discussion on the new farm laws but had later agreed to a proposal to have it as part of the discussion on the motion of thanks.
Here are the highlights from PM Modi‘s reply to the debate:
* In Rajya Sabha, over 50 Member of Parliament (MPs) expressed their views for over 13 hours, they expressed their invaluable views. So, I express my gratitude to all the MPs.
* India is truly a land of opportunities. Several opportunities are awaiting us, so a nation which is young, full of enthusiasm and a nation that is making efforts to realise the dreams will never let these opportunities slide.
* The eyes of the world are on India. There are expectations from India and there is the confidence that India will contribute to the betterment of our planet.
Coronavirus an unknown enemy
* The Covid-19 period has added new strength to our federal structure and the spirit of cooperative federalism.
* We were fighting against an unknown enemy. The world wondered how India will tackle the crisis. Everybody did their own analysis on how to fight this unknown enemy.
* With the grace of God, we have managed it well. The credit to win this war goes to the people of India, not an individual or any government. India did it, even the poorest did.
* You might have seen on the social media: An old woman sitting outside her hut on the footpath, with a lamp, praying for the welfare of India.
* We’re mocking her! If somebody who never went to school thinks they can serve India by lighting lamps, they can do it. Are we mocking her beliefs?
* India has seen days when polio, smallpox were big threats. Today our nation is making vaccines for the world. This boosts our self-confidence.
India is mother of democracy
* Everyone talked about farmers protest but didn’t speak on the reason behind the protests.
* Our democracy is a human institution.
* India’s nationalism is based on ‘Satyam, Sivam, Sundaram’. We have lost Netaji’s vision over the years, and today we are searching for ourselves.
* We have failed to tell our younger generations that India is not just the largest democracy of the world but the mother of democracy.