Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in Surat said the world is passing through a phase of unprecedented challenges and reiterated his earlier warning that the current decade is turning into a “decade of disasters.”
Addressing a gathering in Surat on World Environment Day, he said the global community has faced one crisis after another, from the COVID-19 pandemic to wars in different parts of the world and a severe energy crisis that has disrupted economies and supply chains.
“The world is going through a phase of unprecedented challenges. Some time ago, I had said that this decade is proving to be a decade of disasters for the world. First, there was the massive crisis caused by COVID-19; then wars broke out in various places, and a severe energy crisis has thrown the entire world into disarray. Petrol prices across the globe are witnessing constant fluctuations, and gas supply chains are collapsing,” PM Modi said.
He added that India has been able to confront these challenges with confidence because of the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians. “It gives me great satisfaction that, through the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians, the country is facing every such crisis with strength,” he said.
Highlighting Surat’s civic spirit, PM said the city is not merely a city but a spirit in itself. Referring to World Environment Day, he congratulated families who created around 15,000 posters as part of awareness efforts. He also appealed to people from the Saurashtra region living in Surat to help protect agricultural land and prioritise chemical-free farming.
The PM praised Surat’s cleanliness initiatives and said the city had presented him with a unique gift — its waste. He thanked nearly one lakh people who participated in a five-day cleanliness campaign and said cleanliness must become a social value and a cultural habit. He congratulated the people of Surat for consistently prioritising cleanliness and also extended greetings to the elected representatives of Surat and Navsari.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, PM noted that he was in Surat, one of the cleanest cities in the country, where several development projects had been inaugurated and foundation stones laid. He said the world has become increasingly conscious of moving towards a green future and India is also pursuing a green growth strategy.
The Prime Minister highlighted Gujarat’s early efforts to address climate change, saying the state had established a dedicated climate change department at the beginning of the century. He said Gujarat has demonstrated how progress can be achieved in harmony with nature.
PM pointed to Surat’s initiatives in environmental management, including the treatment of wastewater and its sale to industries, which generates revenue for the municipal corporation. He said projects such as the Tapi Barrage are ensuring adequate drinking water for the city.
Returning to the issue of global instability, PM said the ongoing crises underline the importance of energy self-reliance. He said India has significantly expanded its capabilities over the past 12 years through investments in nuclear energy and strengthening electricity supply networks.
The Prime Minister said he had visited Hazira before arriving in Surat and described it as an example of the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. He noted that Hazira is emerging as one of the country’s major maritime hubs.
PM criticised what he called pessimistic voices that mock the self-reliance campaign. He said such people were responsible for keeping India dependent on other countries, preventing it from achieving the level of development it deserved.
“We have to win this battle as well,” he said while urging people to support efforts aimed at strengthening India’s resilience and self-reliance.
PM Modi said the government prioritises development, which is why people continue to support the Bharatiya Janata Party in election after election. Referring to the recent West Bengal elections, he called them an example of this trend and remarked that even during his recent visits to five countries, discussions about the Bengal polls had taken place.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said India’s strength lies in the people’s refusal to accept negativity. He urged citizens to dedicate themselves fully to transforming national resolutions into achievements and assured them of his continued support.
“If you take two steps forward, I will take three. I am with you. Stopping and getting tired is not acceptable to us,” he said.
– Ends
