New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lashed out at critics of India's latest GDP figures, saying those responsible for pushing the country into the "Fragile Five" were now unable to accept its emergence as the world's fastest-growing major economy.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) of Delhi University here, PM Modi cited India's 7.8 per cent growth in the April-June quarter as evidence of the economy's resilience amid the war in West Asia and disruptions to global trade.
"The 7.8 per cent quarterly growth has boosted the country's confidence. Those who became infamous for pushing India into the 'Fragile Five' are finding these figures difficult to digest," he said.
His remarks came amid debate over the latest GDP numbers, with the Opposition questioning the figures and economists expressing differing views on the revised data and methodology under the new GDP series.
He said the country has come a long way from policy paralysis in 2013 to policy dynamism. Modi recalled that his address in SRCC in 2013 as Gujarat chief minister had made a "wave" and even today, its impact remains intact.
"In 2013, when I came to SRCC, I presented a vision. Whatever I said back then was my conviction. I have always lived by those words. Dedicating my life to the nation was an emotion that took the form of words. I gave the example of a glass filled with water. Some people see the glass as half full. Some say it is half empty," PM Modi said.
"I said there are people who can see the glass as fully filled, half with water and half with air." It was a time, he said, when the country was lacking hope.
"So I said, 'I see the glass as fully filled'. At that time, development was at its lowest; inflation had hit the skies. At that time, scandals were at their peak, and the corrupt roamed fearlessly. Terrorists were unrestrained and Pakistan was out of control.
"Today, those spreading terrorism are trounced. If Pakistan indulges in any nefarious act, the Indian army enters their home and strikes; the back of Naxalism has been broken...from policy paralysis to policy dynamism, India has come a long way.
Modi said there were some who questioned his optimism and raised doubts about initiatives like 'Make in India'.
Lauding SRCC for shaping generations, PM referred to college alumni as "OG", striking a chord with Gen Z. PM Modi addressed students in a language familiar to the younger generation having a Gen Z-style way of describing its alumni at the celebration.
Addressing the young audience, Modi switched to language that students would instantly recognise, using terms such as "OG" and "flex" while talking about the college and its alumni.
"If I say it in Gen Z language, they are OG," Modi said, referring to SRCC's former students and their achievements across different fields.
He then added his own line: "Dhurandhar na ho, lekin dhoom toh machayi hai." (They may not be the most formidable, but they have certainly made their mark.)
"When a human being lives for 100 years, they are considered a person of deep knowledge and great experience. When an institution completes 100 years, it becomes an ocean of achievements. SRCC has shaped generations and connected them to a brighter future,'' he said.
"In its 100-year journey, Shri Ram College of Commerce has shaped generations, connecting them to a bright future. Those who came, they studied; those who left, they left sculpted. SRCC alumni have been very special. In your language, they are OGs," he said. The prime minister also released a commemorative Rs 100 coin to mark the centenary celebration.
Modi's visit to the SRCC comes amid the BJP's ongoing outreach to the young generation.
At a separate function while interacting with the national award-winning teachers, Modi asked the teachers to preserve childhood and nurture children's natural curiosity.
He said teachers should share creative approaches to make classroom learning more engaging. The prime minister emphasised that teachers need to look beyond the academic performance of children and be attentive to their behaviour and everyday lives. He said teachers have an increasingly important role to play in the lives of children now that there are fewer joint family set-ups
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.