NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a sharp jibe at leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, describing the Congress party’s student outreach campaign “Chhatron Ki Goonj” as “Jhooth ki goonj”.‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ is a student-dialogue campaign launched by the Congress to raise issues including examination paper leaks, rising education costs, irregularities in government recruitment and unemployment.Over the past three months, the campaign has been held in Kota in Rajasthan, Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and Pune in Maharashtra.PM Modi made the remarks while addressing the centenary celebrations of Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), where he also highlighted India’s economic growth and contrasted the country’s current position with the situation in 2013.Referring to the economic and political situation at the time, PM Modi said, “There is a gang that will take what I am saying, break it into small pieces and put it in my account. So, let me warn you in advance about this. Let me tell you what used to dominate the media during that period in 2013. For example, Indian soldiers were being killed along the LoC. The current generation may find it surprising; perhaps they may wonder, “Did this really happen?” Yes, it did. The World Bank had lowered its GDP growth forecast. The current account deficit was at an all-time high. Inflation was around 10 per cent. The industrial sector was in the grip of a slowdown. Corruption in the helicopter deal had been exposed. There were bomb blasts in Hyderabad. These were all headlines at that time. I firmly believe that our students today may not know about all these things.”“These developments show what the condition of the country was at that time. Growth was at the bottom, while inflation was at the peak. Scams were at their height, and the corrupt were moving around fearlessly. The economy was in distress. There was discussion everywhere about policy paralysis. The world was counting India among the “Fragile Five.” Terrorists were operating unchecked, and Pakistan was out of control. In other words, there was nothing but disappointment and despair. There was a time when the country was struggling on every front…” he added.‘Did not use SRCC platform to criticise govt in 2013’PM Modi recalled his previous visit to SRCC in 2013, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat and a member of the opposition BJP.“Your seniors were sitting here in 2013, and at that time I was the Chief Minister, but I was also a member of the country’s main opposition party. Perhaps people were expecting me to launch a long, strong attack on the then Central Government and level a barrage of allegations. But, even though I was in the Opposition and a critic of the government of the time, I did not use this platform for that purpose. I presented a vision. I spoke positively. Whatever I said then was my conviction. I have always lived those thoughts and dreams. I continued to follow that path, to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the country and to have the passion to live for the nation…At that time, all of you may have been in school. But today, if you go on the internet and read the news from 2013 and around that period, you will get an idea of what the situation was like then.”PM Modi also said his 2013 address at SRCC continued to have an impact years later. “My 2013 speech at SRCC had become a wave, and even today, 13-14 years later, the impact of that address remains intact,” he said.The prime minister also highlighted India’s latest economic growth figures, saying the 7.8 per cent quarterly growth had boosted confidence in the economy.“The world was calling India one of the ‘Fragile Five.’ Today, the world is watching India become the fastest-growing major economy. In just the past week, there have been several positive developments regarding India’s economy. The 7.8 per cent quarterly growth has boosted the country’s confidence. Meanwhile, a Japanese credit rating agency has upgraded India’s rating. And this 7.8 per cent growth has come at a time when the war in West Asia is ongoing and there have been several trade-related challenges. Achieving such growth under these circumstances shows India’s strength and potential. I know, and you also know, that those who became infamous for pushing India into the ‘Fragile Five’ are finding these figures difficult to digest. But all of you understand the data seriously…In other words, India is not only growing but also creating new employment opportunities. Despite this, those for whom the glass was half empty in 2013 continue to think the same way even today. For them, the glass will always be half empty. I talk about the glass; I am not talking about anything remaining empty,” thr PM said.PM Modi also claimed that the security situation had improved, saying, “Today, those spreading terrorism are on the back foot. If Pakistan indulges in any misadventure, India’s armed forces enter their territory and strike. Peace has increased from Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast.”“The back of Maoist terrorism and Naxalism has been broken. The world that was once concerned about India’s policy paralysis is today talking about India’s policy dynamism,” he added.Praising the institution and its alumni, Modi said SRCC had produced leaders across fields, including economics, politics, law and the arts.“The alumni of SRCC have also been very special. In your language, I would say the alumni here are the OGs. They have taken the name of SRCC across the world and made a mark for themselves in different fields. Our Arun Jaitley ji studied here. And I can say that perhaps there was hardly a meeting with him where he did not share an incident from his SRCC days. Sometimes I would get tired because he would tell me the same incident again and again. Even today, Sanjeev Sanyal, who is part of my team, is an alumnus of SRCC. We have many other colleagues who studied here as well. And it is not that SRCC has produced people only from the world of economics. From artists to politicians, lawyers and judges, people from every field have emerged from here.”He also described the institution’s 100-year journey as one marked by achievements and inspiration. “When a person lives for 100 years, they are considered an ocean of experience. And when an institution completes 100 years, it becomes an ocean of achievements and inspiration. In its 100-year journey, SRCC has shaped generations and connected them with a brighter future. Those who came here studied, and those who left emerged as well-shaped individuals.”PM Modi arrived at the college by Delhi Metro and interacted with students and fellow passengers during the journey. He also released a commemorative Rs 100 coin to mark the centenary.
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The prime minister’s visit comes amid the BJP’s ongoing outreach to young voters. He had last visited SRCC in 2013, when he was Gujarat chief minister.In April this year, PM Modi met the SRCC governing body and a delegation from the college at his residence to mark the institution’s centenary. He also released a special commemorative postage stamp on the occasion.Established in 1926, SRCC has completed 100 years and has produced scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers and leaders across different fields.
