PM Modi visit Highlights: Govt committed for Lakshadweep's development, says Modi

After his Tamil Nadu visit, PM Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Lakshadweep's Agatti.

“Government of India is committed for the development of Lakshadweep,” says PM Modi.

It is a matter of immense joy that my first public programme of 2024 took place in the great state of Tamil Nadu and that too among our Yuva Shakti: PM Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the rains that caused massive destruction in Tamil Nadu a natural calamity and immediately provide NDRF funds to facilitate relief and restoration work.

He exuded the hope that the Prime Minister would consider the plea he reiterated as the demand of the people affected by the rains.

"You are aware of the havoc caused by the rains in Chennai and the southern districts last month. Infrastructure was extensively damaged and people's livelihood was affected due to the floods," Stalin, who is also the president of the DMK, said raising the issue before PM Modi.

Asserting that India is proud of the vibrant culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the installation of sacred Sengol in the new Parliament building was an attempt to draw inspiration from the model of good governance that the Tamil heritage has given to the country.

"India is proud of the vibrant culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu... I had many Tamil friends and I got to learn a lot about Tamil culture from them. Wherever I go in the world I cannot stop myself from talking about Tamil Nadu. The sacred Sengol was installed in the new Parliament building, an attempt to draw inspiration from the model of good governance that the Tamil heritage has given to the country," PM Modi said.

Saying that he was deeply pained and moved by the plight of the flood-hit people of Tamil Nadu, in the aftermath of the devastating tropical cyclone 'Michaung', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured that the Centre stands with them at this difficult time and would extend every possible support to the state government to help bring them back on track.

Addressing a public event in Tiruchirappalli on Tuesday, PM Modi said, "2023 may be behind us now but the last few weeks of the year gone by were especially difficult for the people of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rainfall and flooding in the aftermath of cyclone 'Michaung' claimed many lives. There was also a significant loss of property. I was deeply moved seeing the desperate straits that the people were in because of the unrelenting rainfall and flooding after the storm. However, I am here to assure each and every one of you that our government (at the Centre) stands with you at this difficult time. We are providing every possible support to the state government and are willing to do more," PM Modi said.

PM Narendra Modi says, "In the last one year, more than 40 central government ministers have visited Tamil Nadu more than 400 times. When Tamil Nadu will progress rapidly, the country will also progress rapidly..."

PM Narendra Modi says, "Today India is among the top five economies. Today India has emerged as a new hope in the world. Big investors are investing in the country and the people of Tamil Nadu and the country are getting benefits from it. Tamil Nadu is becoming the big brand ambassador of Make in India."

PM Modi said in Tamil Nadu, " ₹30 lakh crore was given to states from 2004-2014, but our government has given ₹120 lakh crore in the last 10 years. We have given Tamil Nadu 2.5 times more amount than that was given from 2004-2014..."

PM Modi said in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli, "We have done a lot of work to develop infrastructure in coastal areas and change the lives of fishermen. For the first time, a separate fisheries ministry was created and a separate budget for it was allotted. For the first time, the Kisan Credit Card Scheme was also extended to fishermen..."

Speaking at the event, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia spoke highly of PM Modi's leadership, saying the central government, on his watch, has ensured that airports are not only a medium of travel but also centres of growth.

"Airports are also emerging as centres of employment for the whole country. The one big change that has taken place over the last 9.5 years of this government is that PM Modi, through his leadership, has democratised civil aviation for every single citizen of this country. Everyone who wears a 'Hawai Chappal' (slippers) must also travel in a 'Hawai jahaaj' (aircraft). This has been the PM's dream for the people of our country," Scindia said.

PM Narendra Modi said, "India is proud of the vibrant culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu... I had many Tamil friends and I got to learn a lot about Tamil culture from them. Wherever I go in the world I cannot stop myself from talking about Tamil Nadu...The sacred Sengol was installed in the new Parliament building, an attempt to draw inspiration from the model of good governance that the Tamil heritage has given to the country..."

PM Modi praises DMDK's late leader Vijayakanth as captain, says he always placed national interest above everything

“I wish that the year 2024 is peaceful and prosperous for everyone. It is a privilege that my first public programme in 2024 is happening in Tamil Nadu. Today development projects worth nearly ₹20,000 crore will strengthen Tamil Nadu's progress. I congratulate you for these projects,” he said.

"The last few weeks of 2023 were difficult for many people in Tamil Nadu. We lost many of our fellow citizens due to heavy rainfall. There has also been a significant loss of property... The central government stands with the people of Tamil Nadu in this time of crisis. We are providing every possible support to the state government. Further, just a few days ago we lost Thiru Vijayakanth. He was a captain not only in the world of cinema but also in politics. He won the hearts of the people through his work in films. As a politician, he always put national interest above everything. I pay my tributes to him...I also remember another son of Tamil Nadu, Dr MS Swaminathan. He played an important role in ensuring food security for our country. We lost him last year as well."

In an event in Tamil Nadu, PM Modi, referring to recent rains and losses, says he was deeply moved by the condition of affected families.

PM Modi inaugurates new airport terminal at Tiruchirappalli International Airport

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "...Under PM Modi's leadership, the government has ensured that airports are not only a medium of travel, but airports become a centre of growth. Airports become a centre of employment for the whole country. The one change that has taken place in the last 9.5 years under PM's leadership in this sector, he has democratized civil aviation for every single citizen of this country. Everyone who wears a 'Hawai Chappal' must also travel in a 'Hawai jahaaj' that is the PM's aspiration for the people of our country."

PM Narendra Modi being felicitated by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin during the public programme in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

PM Modi attends an event to lay foundation stone and inaugurate several development works in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.

Dr V Aathira, BJP District Secretary of Thrissur, said, " We had put up several flex boards here in Thrissur regarding PM Modi's visit. All these flex boards were removed by the Mayor of Thrissur Corporation, only BJP's flex boards were removed, flex boards of CM's event are still here...only for BJP there is a different rule...we are protesting against it..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a mass gathering of 2 lakh women in Thrissur on Wednesday.

Titled 'Sthree Shakthi Modikk Oppam' (Empower Women with Modi), the convention, to be held at the sprawling Thekkinkadu ground, is organised by the Kerala unit of the BJP to congratulate Modi for successfully passing the Women's Reservation Bill in both Houses of Parliament.

Women from diverse backgrounds, including anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers, entrepreneurs, artists, MGNREGA and neighbourhood network workers, and social and cultural activists, are expected to participate in the event.

Addressing the convocation ceremony of state-run Bharathidasan University here, the Prime Minister quoted the 'Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom' Tamil verses of poet Bharathidasan, after whom the university had been named, and said it meant creating a brave new world which is also the university's motto.

Modi said the Indian youth were already creating such a world. The Indian scientists are on the world map through missions like Chandrayaan and 'our innovators took the number of patents from around 4,000 in 2014 to almost 50,000 now.'

India's 'humanity scholars are showcasing the India story to the world like never before.' Also, the nation's musicians and artists were continuously bringing international awards for the country, he said.

Our Humanity scholars are showcasing the India story to the world like never before, says PM Modi at Tamil Nadu university convocation.

At the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University, PM Narendra Modi says, "The science you learn can help a farmer in your village, the technology you learn can help solve complex problems. The business management you learn can help run businesses and ensure income growth for others. The economics you learn can help reduce poverty...In a way, every graduate here can help contribute to creating a developed India by 2047..."