PUNE: In his acceptance speech upon receiving the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of "trust surplus" in today's policies and the hard work of the people in the country. He pointed out that development becomes impossible in an atmosphere of mistrust, emphasizing the transition from "trust deficit" to "trust surplus" in India.
Modi highlighted the outcome of an international survey that revealed India as the country where people trust their government the most. He acknowledged the remarkable transformation achieved by the people of India in the past nine years, propelling the nation to become the fifth largest economy globally.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Lokmanya Tilak, recognizing his understanding of the importance of a free press and his pivotal role in changing the course of India's freedom struggle. He commended Tilak's faith in the Bhagavad Gita and his ability to instill confidence in people during times of slavery.
Modi stressed that an atmosphere of mistrust hampers a nation's development. He shared an anecdote about a tweet he received from someone reminding him of a past speech about the "trust deficit," which led him to speak about the journey towards "trust surplus."
He praised Lokmanya Tilak's discernment in identifying young talent, citing Veer Savarkar as an example. Patel was deeply impacted by Tilak's speech, leading him to install Tilak's bust in Ahmedabad despite opposition, and Gandhi inaugurated the statue in 1929.
Addressing contemporary issues, Modi mentioned India's belief in its scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the development of an Indian vaccine. He expressed confidence in India's potential for self-reliance and acknowledged the positive atmosphere created by initiatives like Swachh Bharat, surrendering LPG subsidy, and the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign.
The Prime Minister announced that he would contribute the Rs 1 lakh received with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award to the Namami Gange project. He celebrated the ease of access to Mudra loans, a testament to the trust placed in the country's citizens.
Modi concluded by affirming the increased responsibility that comes with receiving an award, especially one named after Lokmanya Tilak. He expressed his vision of India's future as a beacon of hope for humanity, thanks to the collective efforts of its citizens.
Sharad Pawar, who spoke before Modi, recalled India's two significant eras: that of Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, and also mentioned the first surgical strike during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's period. The event was attended by several political leaders, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and Sushilkumar Shinde from the Congress party.
PM Receives Lokmanya Tilak Award, Holds Candid Talk with Sharad Pawar
PM Modi Honors Tilak on 103rd Death Anniversary, Receive Lokmanya Tilak National Award Today
