Bharatiya Janata Party’s National General Secretary Tarun Chug visited ITV Gold studios in Edison, NJ, August 19, where he delivered a rousing speech about a rising India and the changes Prime Minister Narendra Modi had brought about toward the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, ‘Developed Bharat 2047’ – on the 100th year of its independence.
Chug, who is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most trusted leaders, and the author of the book, Modi’s Governance Triumph, dwelt on the major changes he said were brought about in the daily living conditions of the poor with healthcare insurance, toilets, tap water, gas for cooking, village roads, access to loans for the smallest roadside businesses.
He dwelt at length on the massive infrastructure expansion he said had taken place since Modi came to power in 2014. Hundreds of thousands of miles of new roads, railway lines, airports, medical and healthcare facilities, startups (half of them started by women), all of which had raised millions of people above the poverty line.
Chug began by praising the Indian American community for it’s accomplishments and global renown. Speaking mostly in Hindi, Chug said, “I salute your journey and struggle.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Pointing to the video that was played about Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media/ITV Gold, he concurred saying he appreciated the sentiment – Hum Bharat se door hain, per Bharat humse door nahin – We may be far from India, but India is not far from us.
“India lives in your breath,” he said, adding “Even though I have met Sudhir ji once, it seems like I have a very old relationship with him.”
Dr. Parikh welcomed Chug describing him as “a very senior” member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, RSS, and “3rd generation Swayamsevak” as well as most trusted lieutenant of PM Modi, who had been entrusted with the responsibility of putting together the electoral plan which had brough his leader to power 3 times, starting in 2014.
Speaking about the years of the Covid pandemic, he noted India had surpassed expectations in the speed with which it was able to not only provide the care, but also develop two vaccines to counter the dreaded disease. The ‘lockdown’ he said prepared the nation to fight Covid, get beds ready, hospitals ready, get masks and build capacity and great speed.
As for the defense of the country, he said Prime Minister Modi and the nation as a whole, were determined never to let any attack go unanswered with equal action and force.
“Today, we stop the water, stop the trade, and give the armed forces a free hand to build the strategy,” to counter any attacks, he said mentioning Operation Sindoor as an example. But while countering any attack, he said, India did not attack civilians.
He said the nation has moved forward from the colonial mindset under Modi’s leadership. He criticized the Congress Party for its policies, and previous administrations for acting against people “who say Jai Shri Ram.”
“The Bharat in your heart is moving forwad fast, and it is in secure hands,” Chug said, guided by a person dedicated to grow the country. He touched on the revocation of Article 370 which gave Jammu & Kashmir autonomy, and harked back to the expulsion of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland.
Chug spoke of the rise of women in various spheres from the armed forces and space research to village panchayats. As for the youth, he said, their opportunities were being expanded with tech hubs and startup opportunities.
“In every sphere, India is moving forward,” he said, including in energy production, agriculture, and farmers’ rights. He also pointed to the hundreds of Indians, including children, who had been brought out of war zones from around the world, to the safety of India. “Our administration hears the voice of our citizens, whether in the Middle East or in Nepal.”
The whole world is looking at India and to India for its message of peace and brotherhood, he said, clarifying – “But peacer through strength.”
He urged everyone to join India in reaching the goal of Viksit Bharat.
A brief question and answer session followed.