Modi govt spending Rs 7.5 lakh cr a year on infrastructure, Chandrashekhar tells Indian diaspora

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the architect of a New India that has been transformed in the last eight years and with the government spending Rs 7.5 lakh crore annually to build infrastructure, which lays a strong foundation of an ecosystem of change, Minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar said in Dubai on Sunday.

The minister was addressing the Indian diaspora at a Vishwa-Sadhbhavana event hosted by NID Foundation to launch two books on Prime Minister Modi’s Governance at Dubai.  The Vishwa Sadhbhavana marked the launching of two books, ‘Modi @ 20: Dreams Meet Delivery and Heartfelt – The Legacy of Faith’.

Chandrashekhar said India was now seen as a nation of reforms, governance with transparency, and accountability where the benefit of every single rupee spent reaches directly and digitally to the account of beneficiaries, thus plugging all the leakages.

He explained that on the infrastructure front, India is building modern Infrastructure. In the previous governments, there was a shortage of funds to be spent on developing infrastructure as the tax – GDP ratio, and FDI inflow was low in the country.

“Under the leadership of PM Modi, it is the first time in history that the actual tax collection has exceeded the targets set by the government. This gives room to the government to spend on developing modern infrastructure comprising expressways, fast railways, and ports,” he added.

“PM Modi’s government has made India the fastest-growing innovation ecosystem as more than 100 unicorns were set up during the last two years. In contrast, during the previous governments, the common man could not think of getting opportunities, and funds to realize his dream of becoming an entrepreneur,” he added.

Chandrasekhar said, “When the world was reeling under the hardship of economic slowdown during the global pandemic in 2020, PM Modi converted the pandemic into an opportunity for India by laying the foundation of self–reliant nation. India, not only produced 200 crore indigenous vaccines for its own citizens but also emerged as a global manufacturing hub for producing affordable vaccines for the world.

In addition, India received the highest FDI inflow during the last two years and emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the world. India managed to emerge strong post-pandemic due to the strong foundation laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 2014 – 2019, by launching various initiatives like Digital India, Make In India, Start Up India; this shows the strong vision and far-sightedness of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

While giving details about India emerging as a manufacturing hub in the field of IT & Electronics, Chandrasekhar said “Before 2014, 92% of the mobile phones used by Indians were imported from other countries and there were no exports by India in this field. But today in 2022, with the government of India having a strong policy to encourage indigenous manufacturing, 97% of the mobiles are being manufactured in India and more than 70, 000, cores of mobile phones and its components are being exported to other nations”.

“PM Modi has ensured that the quality of life for every Indian is enhanced through ‘Saabka Saath Saka Vikas and Sabka Prayaas.’ As we celebrate our 75 years of independence, India looks towards Amrit Kaal (next 25 years) with hope and vision given by the PM to become a developed nation by 2047,” he added.

Speaking at the book launch event, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin – Maktoum Bin Jumma Al – Maktoum, Chairman MBM Group said, “India is a country of diversity, which has people with diverse beliefs, community, and languages, but, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the world looks India as One Nation with One Mission, One Vision, and One Family. The whole country despite having many diversities has been integrated into one thought of walking the path of progress and development”. He further added that “India and UAE have always enjoyed strong bilateral relations which have touched new heights after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. UAE has always learned from Indian values, ethos, culture, and its diversity. Our education system is largely imported from the Indian Education system”

The member of the royal family of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Jumma Al – Maktoum said, “Indian diaspora has played a crucial role in the development of Dubai City as a world-class destination for business, tourism and other areas. Indians have contributed to making Dubai a City of Dreams ever since they came here a long time ago when it was not even a city”.

Addressing the gathering at Vishwa Sadhbhavana, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chief Patron NID Foundation said “Prime Minister Modi has not only given us the developed nation but has also enlightened us with the path and process to achieve it. Being a global leader, Prime Minister Modi has enhanced the global image of India, which the world now sees as a country that creates opportunities for its citizens and the world seems to get benefitted from it. The pro-people decisions and the vision of taking along everyone together has made India a nation of hope and future”.

While briefing about the Gurupurab celebrations at Dubai, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chief Patron, NID Foundation said, “More than 20,000 Sikhs of Dubai will join the management of Gurudawara Guru Nanak Darbar and NID Foundation in celebrating the 553rd Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji where a mass prayer for a healthy life of PM India Narendra Modi & PM UAE Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum and prosperity of both the countries will be performed”.

Detailing about the book ‘Heartfelt-The Legacy of Faith’ by the NID Foundation, Sandhu said that “It was an honest attempt at documenting the facts of the history of the Sikh community and the teachings and philosophies of the Sikh Gurus.