NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JUNE 18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Emergency was a dark era in the country’s history when atrocities were committed on those supporting democracy. He asserted that India is the mother of democracy which holds democratic values and the Constitution supreme and, therefore, “we cannot forget June 25 when Emergency was imposed on us”.
- India is the mother of democracy. We consider our democratic ideals to be supreme, our Constitution supreme, therefore, we can never forget 25th June. This is the day when emergency was imposed on our country: PM
- The strength of disaster management that India has developed over the years is becoming an example today. Cyclone Biparjoy wreaked so much havoc in Kutch, but the people of Kutch faced it with full courage and preparedness: Modi
- “India has set a target of eradicating TB by 2025
- Make yoga part of daily routine: PM Modi tells people
Emergency was imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. India’s disaster management capability has increased
In his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi also lauded India’s increasing capability to deal with natural disasters as he expressed confidence that the people of Kutch will quickly recover from the devastation caused by cyclone Biparjoy.
The prime minister said after the devastating earthquake two decades ago, people had expressed doubts about whether Kutch will be able to recover from the destruction.
But the people of Kutch recovered from the disaster, he said. Modi also said that in the last few years, India’s disaster management capability has increased and it is becoming an example.
Prime Minister Modi said, ”Just two-three days ago, we saw how big a cyclone hit the western part of the country… Strong winds, heavy rain. Cyclone Biparjoy caused a lot of destruction in Kutch. But, the courage and preparedness with which the people of Kutch fought such a dangerous cyclone is equally unprecedented too. Just a couple of days later, the people of Kutch are also going to celebrate their new year, that is, Ashadhi Beej. It is also a coincidence that Ashadhi Beej is considered a symbol of the onset of rains in Kutch. I have been going to Kutch for many years… I have also had the good fortune to serve the people there… and thats how I know very well the zest and fortitude of the people of Kutch. Kutch, was once termed as never to be able to recover after the devastating earthquake two decades ago… Today, the same district is one of the fastest growing districts of the country. I am sure the people of Kutch will rapidly emerge from the devastation caused by Cyclone Biperjoy.”
“Friends, no one has any control over natural calamities, but, the strength of disaster management that India has developed over the years, is becoming an example today. There is a significant way to combat natural calamities –viz. conservation of nature. These days during monsoon, our responsibility in this direction increases manifold. That is why today the country is making collective efforts through campaigns like ‘Catch the Rain’,” prime minister added.
Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall near Jakhau on Thursday evening, leaving a trail of destruction in the Kutch and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat.
The prime minister said this time he is holding his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio broadcast on June 18 instead of the last Sunday of the month as he will be travelling to the United States next week.
Modi said during his visit, he will get an opportunity to participate in the International Yoga Day programme at the UN headquarters in New York.
“I appeal to all of you to adopt yoga in your life and make it part of your daily routine,” the prime minister said.
