Facing his third Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Rajkot, the city where he was first elected an MLA, to launch projects worth ₹48,100 crore across the country. This included the inauguration of five All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across as many States, and India’s longest cable-stayed bridge in Dwarka.
Recalling his long association with the city, Mr. Modi mentioned that it was on this day 22 years ago that he had taken oath as an MLA, after being elected from Rajkot II Assembly seat. “I have done my best to live up to the trust of of the people of Rajkot. I can see that generations have changed but affection for Modi is beyond any age limit,” he said in his address.
Mr. Modi’s trip to Gujarat followed his past pattern of “Vikas aur Virasat” (development and heritage). He had, earlier in the day inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, India’s longest cable-stayed bridge of around 2.3 km linking Okha mainland to Beyt Dwarka, built at a cost of around ₹980 crore. After offering prayers at the Dwarakadheesh temple, he also went underwater in the Arabian Sea, to pay obeisance at the submerged remains of Old Dwarka, which he referred to in emotional terms in his speech. “In those depths I was wondering about the glorious past of India. When I came out, I was carrying the blessings of Bhagwan Krishna as well as the inspiration of Dwarka. This gave new strength and energy to my resolution of ‘Vikas aur Virasat’. A divine belief has become associated with my goal for Viksit Bharat [developed India],” he said.
He pointed out that in the past, all major government events used to take place largely in Delhi, but it had been a conscious attempt on his government’s part to take such events across the country. “Today’s programme is a testament to this effort. Through this single programme, we are continuing a new tradition of development works, inaugurations, and laying of foundation stones in many cities across the country,” he said.
He inaugurated AIIMS at Rajkot in Gujarat and e-dedicated to the nation four more AIIMS at Bathinda (Punjab), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani (West Bengal), and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh).
“For 50 years after Independence, there was only one AIIMS in the country, and that too in Delhi. In the seven decades since Independence, only seven AIIMS were approved but even these were never completed,” he said.
“But now, in just 10 days, seven new AIIMS have been inaugurated or foundation stones laid. That is why I say we are developing the country at a pace much faster than it had in the past six to seven decades,” he said.
The projects include 200 healthcare infrastructure projects totting up to ₹11,500 crore across 23 States, and 21 projects of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) worth around ₹2,280 crore.
