1.#Wednesday 30, July 2025, 18:00.3987/ 2. ##News Updates: PM’s address at the launch of development works in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: 26 Jul, 2025Print News. // 3.###PM’s address during the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu: 27 Jul, 2025Print News. ///

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1.#Wednesday 30, July 2025, 18:00.3987/ 

2. ##News Updates: PM’s address at the launch of development works in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: 26 Jul, 2025Print News. //

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Video: PM Narendra Modi lays Foundation Stone / dedicates & Inaugurates various projects at Thoothukudi

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PM’s address at the launch of development works in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu

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Vanakkam!

Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi ji, my cabinet colleagues Kinjarapu Ramamohan Naidu ji, Dr. L. Murugan ji, Tamil Nadu Ministers Thangam Tennarasu ji, Dr. T.R.B. Raja ji, P. Geetha Jeevan ji, Anitha R. Radhakrishnan ji, MP Kanimozhi ji, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President and our MLA Nayanar Nagendran ji, and my brothers and sisters from Tamil Nadu!

Today is Kargil Vijay Diwas. First of all, I salute the heroes of Kargil and pay tribute to the martyrs.

Friends, 

It is my good fortune that after a four-day stay abroad, I got the opportunity to come directly to this holy land of Lord Rameshwar. During my stay abroad, a historic free trade agreement was signed between India and England. This is a symbol of the world’s growing trust in India and India’s new self-confidence. With this self-confidence, we will build a developed India, a developed Tamil Nadu. Even today, with the blessings of Lord Rameswaram and Lord Tiruchendur Murugan, a new chapter of development is being written in Thoothukudi. Thoothukudi is continuously witnessing the mission that was started in 2014 to take Tamil Nadu to the pinnacle of development.

Friends, 

In February last year, I laid the foundation stone of the ‘Outer Harbor Container Terminal’ for ‘V.O. Chidambaranar Port’ here. At that time, projects worth hundreds of crores of rupees were also inaugurated. In September, I inaugurated the new Thoothukudi International Container Terminal. Today once again, projects worth forty-eight hundred crore rupees have been inaugurated and foundation stones have been laid. These include projects for airport, highways, ports and railways, and also important initiatives related to the power sector. I congratulate all of you, the people of Tamil Nadu for this.

Friends, 

Infrastructure and energy are the backbone of the development of any state. Our focus on infrastructure and energy in these 11 years shows how big a priority the development of Tamil Nadu is for us. All of today’s projects will also make Thoothukudi and Tamil Nadu a hub of connectivity, clean energy and new opportunities.

Friends, 

The land of Tamil Nadu and Thoothukudi and its people have contributed to a prosperous and strong India for centuries. This is the land where visionaries like V.O. Chidambaram Pillai was born. He understood the power of trade through the sea even during the times of slavery. He challenged the British by running indigenous ships in the sea. On this very land, great men like Veera-Pandiya Katta-Bomman and Alagu-Muthu Kon weaved the dream of an independent and strong India. National poet like Subramaniam Bharati was also born nearby. You all know, Subramaniam Bharati ji had a strong bond with Thoothukudi and he has an equally strong bond with my parliamentary constituency Kashi. We are constantly strengthening our cultural heritage through events like Kashi-Tamil Sangamam.

Friends, 

I remember, only last year I had gifted the famous pearls of Thoothukudi to Bill Gates. He liked those pearls very much. The Pandya Pearls here were once a symbol of India’s economic power throughout the world.

Friends, 

Today, with our efforts, we are taking forward the vision of a developed Tamil Nadu and a developed India. A free trade agreement has been signed between Britain and India. FTA also gives impetus to this vision. Today, the world is seeing its growth in India’s growth. This agreement will also give new strength to India’s economy. This will further accelerate our pace of becoming the third largest economy in the world.

Friends, 

After this FTA agreement, there will be no tax on 99% of Indian products sold in Britain. If Indian products become cheaper in Britain, the demand will increase there and there will be more opportunities for manufacturing those products here in India.

Friends, 

The youth of Tamil Nadu, our small industries, MSMEs and startups will benefit the most from the India-Britain FTA. Whether it is the industry, our fisherman brothers and sisters or research and innovation, it is beneficial for everyone.

Friends, 

Today, the Government of India is putting a lot of emphasis on Make in India and Mission Manufacturing. You all have just seen the power of Make in India during Operation Sindoor. Made in India weapons have played a big role in destroying the hideouts of terror. Weapons made in India are still giving sleepless nights to the masters of terror.

Friends, 

To fully utilize the potential of Tamil Nadu, the Government of India is making efforts to modernize the infrastructure of Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, we are making the port infrastructure hi-tech. Besides this, airports, highways and railways are also being integrated with each other. The inauguration of the new advanced terminal of Thoothukudi Airport today is another big step in this direction. Built at a cost of Rs 450 crore, this terminal will now host more than 20 lakh passengers every year. Earlier its annual capacity was only 3 lakhs passengers.

Friends, 

The new terminal will increase Thoothukudi connectivity to many more routes in the country. Corporate travel, education hubs, health infrastructure in Tamil Nadu will benefit more from this. Along with this, the tourism potential of this area will also get new energy.

Friends, 

Today we have also dedicated two major road projects of Tamil Nadu to the people. These roads, built at a cost of approximately Rs 2,500 crore, are going to connect two major development areas of Chennai. Due to these roads, connectivity of Chennai with the delta districts has further improved.

Friends, 

With the help of these projects, the connectivity of Thoothukudi Port has also improved a lot. These roads will also enhance the ease of living for the entire region and open new avenues of trade and employment.

Friends, 

Our government considers the country’s railways as the lifeline of industrial growth and self-reliant India. That is why, in the last eleven years, the country’s railway infrastructure has seen a new phase of modernization. Tamil Nadu is a major center of the modernization campaign of railway infrastructure. Our government is redeveloping 77 stations in Tamil Nadu under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The people of Tamil Nadu are getting a new experience through modern Vande Bharat trains. The country’s first and unique vertical lift rail bridge, Pamban Bridge, is also built in Tamil Nadu. Pamban Bridge has increased both Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Travel.

Friends, 

Today, a mega campaign is going on in the country to develop mega and modern infrastructure. The Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, inaugurated a few days ago, is an engineering marvel. This bridge has connected Jammu to Srinagar through railway for the first time. Apart from this, the country’s longest sea bridge Atal Setu has been built, Bogibeel Bridge has been built in Assam, more than 6 km long Sonamarg tunnel has been built, the Government of India, the NDA government has completed many such projects. All these have generated employment in thousands.

Friends, 

Even today, the railway projects we have dedicated in Tamil Nadu will benefit millions of people in South Tamil Nadu. The electrification of the line from Madurai to Bodi-Nayakkanur has now opened the way for running trains like Vande Bharat. These railway projects are going to give a new impetus to both the speed of Tamil Nadu and its development scale.

Friends, 

Today, the foundation stone of the transmission project related to the 2000 MW Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project has also been laid here. This system, which will be built at a cost of about Rs 550 crore, is going to play a big role in providing clean energy to the country in the coming years. This energy project will serve as a means to meet India’s global energy targets and environmental commitments. When electricity production increases, Tamil Nadu’s industry and domestic users will also benefit greatly from it.

Friends, 

I am happy that the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme is also running at a fast pace in Tamil Nadu. So far, the government has received about 1 lakh applications and 40000 solar rooftop installations have been completed. This scheme is not only providing free and clean electricity but is also creating thousands of green jobs.

Friends, 

The development of Tamil Nadu, the dream of a developed Tamil Nadu is our core commitment. We have consistently given priority to policies related to the development of Tamil Nadu. In the last decade, the central government has sent three lakh crore rupees to Tamil Nadu through devolution. This amount is more than three times the amount sent by the previous UPA government. In these eleven years, Tamil Nadu has got eleven new medical colleges. For the first time, any government has shown so much concern towards the communities associated with the fisheries sector in coastal areas. We are expanding the coastal economy through the Blue Revolution.

Friends, 

Today, this land of Thoothukudi is witnessing a new chapter of development. All these projects of connectivity, power transmission, infrastructure are going to create a strong foundation for developed Tamil Nadu and developed India. I once again congratulate all my family members of Tamil Nadu for all these projects. Thank you very much. I have one more request, today I am seeing that you all are very enthusiastic, do one thing, take out your mobile phone and enhance the glory of this new airport with the flashlight of your mobile phone.

Bharat Mata ki Jai.

 Bharat Mata ki Jai. 

Bharat Mata ki Jai. 

Thank you very much. 

Vanakkam ।

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3.###PM’s address during the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu: 27 Jul, 2025Print News. ///

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Video PM's speech during the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu

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PM’s address during the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu

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Vanakkam Chola Mandalam,

The most respected Aadheenam Mathadhishgan (heads), the Chinmaya Mission Swamis, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi Ji, my cabinet colleague Dr. L Murugan Ji, local MP Thiruma-Valavan Ji, Tamil Nadu ministers present on the dais, my colleague in Parliament respected Sri Ilaiyaraaja Ji, all Oduvars, devotees, students, cultural historians, and my dear brothers and sisters! Namah Shivaya

नम: शिवाय वाळघा, नादन ताळ वाळघा, इमैइ पोळुदुम्, येन नेन्जिल् नींगादान ताळ वाळघा!!

I observed that whenever the name of Nayanar Nagendran was mentioned, the atmosphere of excitement all around suddenly changed.

Friends,

In a way, this is the place of reverence of the Raj Raja. And the way Ilaiyaraaja immersed us all in the devotion of Shiva in that land of faith, be it the month of Saavan, be it the land of faith of Raj Raja and be it the penance of Ilaiyaraaja, what a wonderful atmosphere, a very wonderful atmosphere, and I am the MP of Kashi and when I hear Om Namah Shivay, I get goosebumps.

Friends,

The amazing energy of Shiva Darshan, the music of Sri Ilaiyaraaja, the chanting of Oduvar, this spiritual experience truly overwhelms the soul.

Friends,

The holy month of Saavan and the historic occasion of one thousand years of the start of the construction of the Brihadeshwar Shiva temple, in such a wonderful time I have had the good fortune of being present at the feet of Lord Brihadeshwar Shiva and worshipping him. I have prayed for the welfare of 140 crore Indians and the continued progress of India in this historic temple. I wish that everyone gets the blessings of Lord Shiva, नम: पार्वती पतये हर हर महादेव!

Friends,

I was late in coming here, I had reached here early, but the wonderful exhibition that the cultural ministry of the Government of India has put up is informative, inspiring and we all are filled with pride that how our ancestors gave direction for human welfare a thousand years ago. It was so vast, so extensive, so grand, and I was told that thousands of people have been coming to see this exhibition since the last one week. It is worth seeing and I would tell everyone to definitely see it.

Friends,

Today I have also got the opportunity to launch the album of Tamil Geeta here through the efforts of Chinmaya Mission. This effort also energizes our resolve to preserve the heritage. I also congratulate all the people associated with this effort.

Friends,

The Chola kings expanded their diplomatic and trade relations to Sri Lanka, Maldives and Southeast Asia. It is also a coincidence that I have returned from Maldives only yesterday, and today I am a part of this program in Tamil Nadu.

Our scriptures say that devotees of Shiva become immortal like Shiva by merging into Shiva. That is why India’s Chola heritage, associated with the exclusive devotion to Shiva, has become immortal today. Raj Raja Chola, Rajendra Chola, these names are synonymous with the identity and pride of India. The history and heritage of the Chola Empire is a proclamation of India’s true potential. This is the inspiration of that dream of India, with which we are moving ahead towards the goal of developed India. With this inspiration, I pay my tribute to Rajendra Chola the Great. In the last few days, all of you have celebrated the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival. Today it is culminating in this grand event. I congratulate all those who contributed to this.

Friends,

Historians believe that the Chola Empire was one of the golden eras of India. This era is identified by its strategic power. India’s tradition as the mother of Democracy was also carried forward by the Chola Empire. Historians talk about Britain’s Magna Carta in the name of democracy, but many centuries ago, elections were held in the Chola Empire through the democratic system from Kudavolai Amai. Today there is so much discussion about water management and ecology preservation all over the world. Our ancestors understood their importance long ago. We hear about many kings who used to bring back gold, silver or livestock after conquering other places. But see, Rajendra Chola is known for bringing Ganga water, he brought Ganga water. Rajendra Chola brought Ganga water from North India and established it in the South. “गङ्गा जलमयम् जयस्तम्बम्” that water was released here in Chola Ganga Yeri, Chola Ganga Lake, which is today known as Ponneri Lake.

Friends,

Rajendra Chola also established Gangai-Kondacholapuram Kovil. This temple still remains an architectural wonder of the world. It is also the gift of the Chola Empire that the festival of Maa Ganga is being celebrated on this land of Maa Kaveri. I am very happy that today, in memory of that historical event, once again Ganga water has been brought here from Kashi. Just now when I went here to perform puja, the rituals were completed as per the tradition, the abhishek was done with Ganga water and I am a people’s representative of Kashi, and I have an intimate bond with Mother Ganga. These works of the Chola kings, these events associated with them, give new energy, new power and new momentum to the Mahayagya of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.

Brothers and sisters,

The Chola kings had bound India in the thread of cultural unity. Today our government is carrying forward the same ideas of the Chola era. We are strengthening the centuries-old threads of unity through events like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. Ancient temples of Tamil Nadu like Gangai-Kondacholapuram are also being preserved through ASI. When the new Parliament of the country was inaugurated, the saints of our Shiva Aadheenam had given spiritual leadership to that event, all of them are present here. The sacred Sengol associated with Tamil culture has been installed in the Parliament. Even today when I remember that moment, I feel filled with pride.

Friends,

I have just met some Dikshitars of the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. They presented me with the holy prasad of this divine temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Nataraja. This form of Nataraja is a symbol of our philosophy and scientific roots. A similar Anand Tandava idol of Lord Nataraja is also adding to the beauty of Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. In this Bharat Mandapam, eminent leaders from all over the world had joined during the G-20.

Friends,

Our Shaiva tradition has played a huge role in the cultural formation of India. The Chola emperors were important architects of this construction. That is why even today Tamil Nadu is very important among the living centers of the Shaiva tradition. The legacy of the great Nayanmar saints, their devotional literature, Tamil literature, the role of our revered Aadheenams, have given birth to a new era in the social and spiritual field.

Friends,

Today, when the world is grappling with problems like instability, violence and environment, Shaiva principles show us the way to solutions. You see, Tirumular had written – “अन्बे शिवम्”, that is, love is Shiva. Love is Shiva! If the world adopts this idea today, then most of the crises can be solved automatically. Today India is taking this idea forward in the form of One World, One Family, One Future.

Friends,

Today India is moving ahead on the mantra of development as well as heritage. Today’s India is proud of its history. In the last decade, we have worked in mission mode on the conservation of the country’s heritage. The country’s ancient statues and artifacts, which were stolen and sold abroad, have been brought back. Since 2014, more than 600 ancient artefacts and sculptures have returned to India from different countries of the world. Out of these, 36 are especially from our Tamil Nadu. Today, many important heritages like Nataraja, Lingodbhav, Dakshinamoorthy, Ardhanarishwar, Nandikeshwar, Uma Parameshwari, Parvati, Sambandar are once again adding to the beauty of this land.

Friends,

Our heritage and the influence of Shaiva philosophy are no longer limited to India or this earth. When India became the first country to land on the South Pole of the Moon, we named that point of the Moon as Shiva Shakti. That important part of the moon is now identified by the name of Shiva-Shakti.

Friends,

The heights of economic and strategic progress which India reached during the Chola period are our inspiration even today. Raj Raja Chola created a powerful navy. Rajendra Chola strengthened it further. Many administrative reforms were also carried out during his reign. He strengthened the local administrative system. A strong revenue system was implemented. Trade development, use of sea routes, promotion and dissemination of art and culture, India was progressing rapidly in every direction.

Friends,

The Chola Empire is like an ancient roadmap for the creation of a new India. It tells us that if we want to become a developed nation, we have to emphasize on unity. We have to strengthen our Navy, our defense forces. We have to explore new opportunities. And along with all this, we will have to preserve our values as well. And I am satisfied that the country is moving ahead with this inspiration today.

Friends,

Today’s India gives utmost importance to its security. Recently, during Operation Sindoor, the world has seen how India responds if someone attacks India’s security and sovereignty. Operation Sindoor has shown that no place is safe for India’s enemies, for terrorists. And today when I was coming here from the helipad, covering a distance of 3-4 kilometres, suddenly I saw that a big road show was formed and everyone was hailing Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor has awakened a new consciousness in the entire country, has generated new self-confidence and the world is also having to accept India’s power.

Friends,

We all know that when Rajendra Chola built Gangai-Kondacholapuram, he kept its shikhara smaller than the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur. He wanted to keep the temple built by his father the highest. Even amidst his greatness, Rajendra Chola showed humility. Today’s new India is moving forward on this spirit. We are continuously becoming stronger, but our spirit is of world brotherhood, of world welfare.

Friends,

Carrying forward the feeling of pride in my heritage, today I am taking another pledge here. In the coming times, we will install grand statues of Rajraja Chola and his son and great ruler Rajendra Chola I in Tamil Nadu. These statues will become modern pillars of our historical consciousness.

Friends,

Today is also the death anniversary (Punyatithi) of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam ji. To lead a developed India, we need lakhs of youth like Dr. Kalam, Chola Rajas. Such youth full of strength and devotion will fulfill the dreams of 140 crore countrymen. Together, we will take forward the resolve of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. With this feeling, I once again congratulate all of you on this occasion. Thank you very much.

Say with me,

Bharat Mata ki Jai.

Bharat Mata ki Jai.

Bharat Mata ki Jai.

Vanakkam

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JAI HIND
JAI BHARATHAM

VANTE MATARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAI.

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