Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi
Meenakshi Lekhi, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, said in Kozhikode that Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’ is her hero. The Minister was addressing “Awake Youth For Nation Conclave – 24”. Dr Arif Mohammed Khan resigned from the ministry in protest against Rajeev Gandhi’s stand with respect to the Shah Bano Begum case. Arif Mohammed Khan demanded the abolition of Muthalaq (triple talaq). Meenakshi Lekhi said that she was a college student in those days. She said she was proud to be part of the Government that outlawed Muthalaq.
Meenakshi Lekhi called on the youths to gather the ability to lead a developed Bharat. Those who march ahead with full confidence to overcome the crises can materialise all dreams; they can achieve anything. The Youth Conclave-24, organised in Kozhikode, was the culmination of the Vivekananda Jayanthi celebrations. It was organised in Kozhikode on February 3 by the National Youth Celebration Committee and various youth and cultural organisations.
Minister said that ‘Modi’s Guarantee’ is not only for the centre but also for Kerala. Modi Government materialised G20, Chandrayaan, AI, Make in India, rocket launch, start-up and so on.
Prime Minister tries to convert Bharat to a developed country by 2047. She told the audience that they have to lead the country to 2047. Bharat should turn into a developed country by 2047; it is the dream of PM Modi. I am not sure if I would be alive in the developed Bharat of 2047. Modi Government does have the right sense of direction; hence, several programmes could be implemented and fulfilled. Formerly, 11 crores out of the 140 strong population enjoyed bank accounts. But, since Modi Government took over, the number of bank account holders rose to 52 crores within four months. It was for remitting the grants, including scholarships, directly to the deserving people’s account. The idea was to eliminate corruption.
Meenakshi Lekhi said that 65 per cent of the country’s population is below 35 years old. Youths with a sense of direction and the right perceptions are essential for nation-building. Kerala’s youths are energetic and enthusiastic. Youths should be able to lead the developed Bharat when the country celebrates the centenary of her independence. If they dream of a developed Bharat now, they will be able to be at the helm of it in 2047.
Minister said she could realise the pitiable plight of the women during her college days. Then, she wished to see the abolition of the Muthalaq (Triple talaq). In those days, Dr Arif Mohammed Khan became her hero, thanks to his bold policies and stances. He resigned from the union cabinet due to his anti-Muthalaq stand; later on, Lekhi became part of a Government that abolished Muthalaq.
Dr Nagaraju, HoD of Social Science, Kasargod Central University, presided. Prajna Pravah national coordinator J Nandakumar, Nehru Yuva Kendra Youth Officer C Anoop and NYCC Convener Kiran S Kumar spoke on the occasion.
Minister Meenakshi Lekhi gave prizes to the winners of the arts and sports competitions organised in connection with the National Youth Day celebrations.
Later on, speaking to the media persons, Lekhi said that Veena Vijayan (daughter of the CM Pinarayi Vijayan and wife of Mohammed Riyas, CPM leader and PWD Minister) should cooperate with the enquiries if she has nothing to hide. The members of the political families should also be above suspicion. She quoted the old saying, “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion”. If the facts are hidden, the law will take its own course. All Governments should be law-abiding. Members of political families do not have any legal immunity. Allegations of negligence from the part of the centre is not true. Kerala gets exactly what other States get. She cited Vizhinjam Port, National Highway Development, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Aushadhi Centres, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Poshan Abiyan, etc. On top of that, Kerala gets more central funds than the previous Governments provided. She added that Kerala Governor acts for the welfare of the people. Vizhinjam Port is a milestone. We should be able to export not only manpower but also goods and commodities.
The audience consisted of students from the city colleges. While addressing the valedictory session, Prajna Pravah national coordinator J Nandakumar said that Bharat’s renaissance is the remedy for the global issues. Bharat’s mission is to prepare the Bharatiya spiritual wisdom for meeting global requirements. We have to identify the global requirements on the basis of Bharatiya’s thoughts and views for making the world glorious. Renaissance is not a rare incident in Bharat. Whenever Dharma suffers a setback, renaissance takes place in Bharat for survival. Renaissance is the regaining of the spiritual wisdom. Now, what we witness in Bharat is the revival of the spiritual power of the ancient days. Bharat is now capable of leading the world. Bharat is the education hub of the whole world. Students from all over the world come here for education. Bharat has converted itself to be the pharmacy of the whole world. ‘Modi’s Guarantee’ means the strong foundation of Bharat’s great heredity of wisdom.
Invaders were the enemies of knowledge. That is why they demolished and destroyed Thakshshila and Nalanda, our ancient universities. Bharat is in a joyous mood after the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. We gathered it after 496 years of hard and fearless struggles. Bharat’s economic growth is unprecedented. The growth we achieved during the last ten years is something the post-independence Bharat could not. We are developing further by exporting medicines and food and by expanding our ocean trade. There is a general belief in Kerala that ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ is a political slogan.
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