HYDERABAD: Union health minister J.P. Nadda on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strengthened India by reshaping politics and democracy around development.
He also said the Prime Minister had enhanced India's standing on the global stage.
Speaking at a talk titled "Democracy - Diplomacy - Development," organised by the Forum for Nationalist Thinkers, Nadda said the Modi government had changed India's political culture. He said it replaced legacy and appeasement politics with development, accountability and transparent governance.
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He also accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government of corruption in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme and the double-bedroom housing programme.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, Nadda said Indian Railways now carries nearly 800 crore passengers every year. He said the railway network had expanded to remote regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
He added that India has become a reliable partner for neighbouring countries. According to him, the country supplies railway technology and locomotives to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.
Referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, Nadda said India supplied vaccines to 100 countries. He said 45 countries received free vaccine doses, reflecting the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
Highlights welfare schemes, healthcare expansion and internal security
Nadda said the Centre had built 4.3 lakh kilometres of rural roads and accelerated the digital revolution in villages.
He said the government transferred ₹51 lakh crore directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He claimed the system prevented leakages worth ₹4.3 lakh crore.
Nadda said the Centre had built 12 crore toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, improving women's dignity.
Speaking about the Lakhpati Didi initiative, he said the programme had made significant progress towards its target of creating three crore beneficiaries. He said Telangana alone has 17.17 lakh beneficiaries.
Calling Ayushman Bharat the world's largest health insurance scheme, Nadda said it provides free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh to 62 crore people.
He also highlighted the Vayo Vandana Yojana, saying it offers free healthcare to citizens above 70 years of age.
Nadda said AIIMS Bibinagar is being developed into a world-class medical institution with an investment of nearly ₹1,000 crore. He said the expansion includes 22 modular operation theatres and more than 1,000 beds.
On internal security, Nadda said stronger intelligence networks had reduced Naxalism from 126 affected districts to just two. He added that India is now among the world's fastest-growing major economies.