Prime Minister Narendra Modiji addressed a mega women’s assembly in Thrissur on January 3, 2024. Speaking on the occasion, PM pointed out his government’s achievements one by one. After narrating the name of every scheme, he added that ‘it is Modi’s guarantee’ in Malayalam. When he narrated achievement after achievement in Malayalam language it created ecstasy and excitement in the ocean of two lakhs strong Mahila Samgamam. It was,named Sthreeshakthi Modikkoppam (Woman power with Modiji). PM started his speech addressing ‘Mothers and sisters’ in Malayalam.
PM said, since the last so many years, both ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have been betraying the people of the state. Both are implementing corruption and dynasty together. Now, they have formed INDIA Front and proved that they are one and the same. INDIA Front hurts the religious faith and brings hindrance in the way of the rituals. PM criticised the LDF regime in sharp terms. He pointed out gold smuggling; he said, the people in connection with the smuggling are in Chief Minister’s office. He told about the dispute regarding the rent in connection with Thrissur Pooram issue. He said, Pooram is politicised. (It is to be remembered that Kochi Dewaswom Board – KDB and the Pooram Committees of both prominent participating temples were at loggerheads last week as KDB had increased the land rent for the prestigious Pooram Exhibition in connection with the Thrissur Pooram). Sabarimala is handled by the government in worst manner. Festivals are market commodities for them.
PM alleged that the INDIA alliance of both LDF and UDF are hand in glove to loot Kerala. Lot of dowry killings take place in the state. LDF and UDF have been ruling the state since long, one after another. But, they did not provide the people with basic facilities. He said, he would fulfil it with the blessings of the mothers and sisters. He said, Kerala needs development; for that, state needs strong foundation. He alleged that the state government, controlled by INDIA alliance does not implement central government’s schemes. If at all they do, they change the names to make the impression that they are their schemes (not of union government).
Modi thanked the Christian clergy for accepting his invitation to attend the Christmas party. He reminded that the North East states, with Christian majority, are ruled by BJP.
PM alleged that Congress regime post independence and Left governments did not give due consideration for women. BJP brought Women Reservation Bill and liberated the women from the clutches of Muthalaq.
Prime Minister said that there are four ‘castes’ before NDA government. They are poor, youths, farmers and women. Government has been trying to extent maximum support to them. The issues they face have not been addressed during the rule of CPM and Congress. Then the PM pointed out his ‘guarantees’ one by one. During the last more than 9 years, government has implemented several schemes to make the women’s life more easy and comfortable. Ten crores Ujjwal Yojana is Modi’s guarantee; girls’ reservation in Sainik Schools is Modi’s guarantee; women’s reservation in Parliament and state assemblies are Modi’s guarantee. Pradhan Manthri’s Vishwa Karma Yojana is Modi’s guarantee for women; Rs 5 lakhs worth free medical treatment facility is Modi’s guarantee; crores of domestic water connection is Modi’s guarantee; 30 crore Mudra loan is Modi’s guarantee; 26 weeks’ maternity holiday is Modi’s guarantee; loan for self help groups is Modi’s guarantee; PM’s Aavvaaz Yojana for the homeless is Modi’s guarantee; crores of toilets is another Modi guarantee. He underlined that women power is the nation’s power.
PM said that our people who go abroad for employment and for studies are assured security. He cited the examples of CORONA, Ukraine war, nurses in Iraq and Yemen, etc. Whenever exigencies occur, our people are evacuated safely and brought home. Prime Minister said that the national development can be achieved through the development of the states. PM said that the energy generated by the Mahila Samgamam should be converted into Kerala’s forward march.
PM observed, Kerala has given birth to legendary women freedom fighters. He quoted the names of Kuttimalu Amma, Akkamma Cheriyan and Rosamma Punnoose. Karthyani Amma and Bhageerathi Amma proved that age is not a hindrance for education. He remembered the tribal singer and national award laureate Namchiyamma, legendary athletes P.T. Usha and Anju Boby George as the gifts of Kerala. These daughters of the state prove the mettle of the soil of Kerala.
As a uniqueness, prominent women from different walks of the Kerala’s social life shared the dais with the Prime Minister. They were Dakshin Bharat’s matinee idol and world famous classical dancer Padmasree Shobhana, famous entrepreneur and fashion designer Beena Kannan, famous (visually challenged) playback singer Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi, Padmasree P.T. Usha MP (RS), national team woman cricketer Minnumoni, Padmasree Soshamma Iype (Organising Committee chairperson and famous expert in animal husbandry), 86 years old Mariakkuty (who shot to fame after her fight against the LDF government for not paying widow pension. The fight led to Kerala High Court’s strong criticism against Pinarayi Government) and social activist Uma Preman. PM exchanged niceties with those excellent ‘moms and sisters’. Shobhana said, in her speech, that PM has done a great service to the women of the present and future generations by passing the Women’s Reservations Bill 2023 in the Parliament.
PM began the speech by addressing the women in Malayalam. He said, he is the MP from Kashi, the seat of Lord Siva; and was addressing the mother and sisters at the premises of Vadakkumnnatha temple (one of the major Siva temples in Kerala). The energy from the cultural capital of the state will be transmitted to the entire state. He reminded that the day (January 3) marks the birthday of Rani Velu Nachiyar, the famous freedom fighter of Sivaganga and Savithribai Phule, reputed social reformer and poet of Maharashtra.
PM said, BJP stands for uniting the people. Before concluding the speech, he enthused and enthralled the two lakhs strong women by raising the slogans ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ several times. Every time he asked them to repeat those solgans. He asked them to wave the flags they were holding in their hands. And, as the second step, he asked them to stand up and wave the flags.
Earlier PM participated in an ecstatic roadshow around the Thekkinkadu Maidan, the ground encircling the Vadakkumnnatha Siva Temple. Lakhs of people lined up on either sides of the road to have a look of the charismatic prime minister. Since, men had no permission to enter the venue of the Mahila Samgamam, they participated in the roadshow enthusiastically. PM traversed in specially arranged, decorated open vehicle. He was flanked by BJP state president K. Surendran, Mahila Morcha state president Adv. Nivedita Subramanian and Suresh Gopi, former MP (RS), matinee idol and popular leader of the party in Kerala.
The Mahila Samgamam was kicked off by the speech of BJP leader Shobha Surendran. Adv. Nivedita Subramanian welcomed the gathering and K. Surendran presided. PM alighted from the vehicle before it reached the venue. Then he walked to the venue waving to thousands of people lined up on either sides.
No doubt, the Samgamam was the curtain raiser of BJP’s parliamentary election campaign. It has rejuvenated the already geared up party machinery in the state. Simultaneously, its tremendous success is going to give sleepless nights to both LDF and UDF in the days and weeks to come.
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