Autonomy is a turning point, PM Narendra Modi at the Indian Chamber of Commerce

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers the inaugural address for the 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce or ICC by videoconference. On June 2, PM Modi participated in the annual general meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry or CII by videoconference. The ICC is the main body representing businesses and industries in eastern and north-eastern India.

Here are the highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address:

• You have all served the nation for 95 years … that in itself is a tremendous achievement for any institution. Over the decades, whoever has been part of the nation and contributed to it through the ICC, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to all.
• The ICC AGM (Annual General Meeting) takes place at a time when India is launching a challenge: the coronavirus. India is facing several challenges, the swarm of locusts, the cyclone, the oil well fire in Assam.
• Over the years, the institution has experienced many challenges and moments of crisis, but you have also gone through these periods and successfully emerged from it.
• The time we live in today is also a challenge. We are witnessing an epidemic which has caused problems and loss to the world, we have seen storms and swarms of locusts, consecutive cyclones … these are undoubtedly difficult times, but we have already crossed times so difficult before.
• I want you all to remember that it is mental strength and resolution that are the key in such moments … those who give up easily, for them there is no end to misery in life, but for those who remain motivated through difficult times are those who prepare the solution for all and ensure that as a person and as a nation we come out of it successfully.
• When I see the population as a whole in India, I see youth, I see motivation and hope … I see aspirations and dreams … and I also see the determination of people to turn a challenge into opportunity.
• I see people thinking kaash (I wish) that we are autonomous in medical equipment, I wish that we are autonomous in manufacturing PPE kits, I wish that we are autonomous in defense production, I wish that we are autonomous in manufacturing all that we buy or consume. I see countless such kaash among Indians today. The solution to all of this can only come from atma nirbhar Bharat (autonomous India).
• India’s growth story will only come from this (self-sufficiency). It is the only way that will propel us forward into the 21st century. This is the only way for India, which is today an importing country, to become autonomous first, then aims to become a large exporting country. This is the vision that will move us forward.