"Govt focusing more on development of coastal villages, committed to empowering women": PM Modi

Palghar (Maharashtra): Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the central government's efforts focusing on the development of coastal villages as he stressed the welfare of backward classes and women empowerment.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port in Palghar, Maharashtra. The total cost of this project is around Rs 76,000 crores.

He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crores during the event.

Speaking on occasion, PM Modi stressed the efforts to strengthen the cooperative societies for the fisherfolk. He also highlighted the growth in the country's fish production during the last 10 years.

"We are focusing more on the development of coastal villages. To enhance capabilities, fishermen's cooperative societies are also being strengthened. The BJP and NDA governments have worked with complete dedication and honesty for the welfare of backward classes and empowering the marginalized," PM Modi said at Palghar on Friday.

"Today, India has become the world's second-largest fish-producing country. In 2014, the country's fish production was only 8 million tons, but now India produces around 17 million tons of fish. This means that in just 10 years, we have doubled the fish production," he added.

The Prime Minister referred to the inauguration of the Vadhvan Port as a very big day for India's development journey as he stressed that developed Maharashtra is the most important part of the resolution of developed India.

"Whether it is the last 10 years or now the third term of my government, big decisions have been taken continuously for Maharashtra," he added. He said that Maharashtra has the necessary power and resources for development and highlighted that it will be the biggest container port in the country.

The Vadhvan Port is expected to boost India's trade in many aspects because of its strategic location and capacity.

PM Modi said that the port will change the economic picture of the entire region adding that the whole world is looking at Vadhvan port.

"In the last decade, development on India's coast has gained unprecedented pace, we have modernised ports and developed waterways. Lakhs and crores of rupees have been invested in this direction. Private investment has also increased. Our youth are getting its benefit, they are getting new opportunities," he said.

PM Modi further stressed women's empowerment in Maharashtra as he lauded the women presence ornamenting important positions across fields and called it out as an example of leadership for the 21st century.

"Our government is committed to empowering women and ensuring prosperity in the nation through constant efforts and endeavours. Our government is actively promoting women's involvement in fish production. Through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, we have empowered thousands of women, enabling them to contribute significantly to this sector," the Prime Minister said.

"Maharashtra is showing the way to the country. Woman Chief Secretary, woman DGP and several other women are leading their departments and organisations. And they all are doing great in their fields. This gives a message that women are ready to lead in the 21st century and they will have a great role in developed India by 2047," he added.

The Prime Minister took an indirect dig at the opposition and said that some people have "objections to development" in Maharashtra.

"In 2020, a decision was also taken to build a port here. But after that the government changed and no work was done here for 2.5 years. This project alone is estimated to bring an investment of several lakh crore rupees here. About 12 lakh employment opportunities will be created here. Who had objections to this development of Maharashtra? Who were these people who did not want the youth of Maharashtra to get employment? Some people want to keep Maharashtra behind, whereas our NDA government and Mahayuti government want to take Maharashtra to the forefront in the country," he said.

Refering to the collapse of the 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Raighar Fort in Sindhudurg on August 26, PM Modi said he bow his head and apologise to the people of Maharashtra who were hurt by the incident.

"Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their deity and have been deeply hurt, I bow my head and apologise to them. Our values are different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity," PM Modi said.

"Our culture is different. We do not abuse and disrespect the great sons of Mother India, the brave hearts of this land. They abused Veer Savarkar. Despite doing this, they are not willing to apologise, they are not willing to regret it. The people of Maharashtra have understood their true intentions," he added.