“Top 3 Economy, Hosting Olympics, an Indian on the Moon—We Will Do It,” PM Modi in Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Chennai on Sunday that India will become a developed nation by 2047, and that the milestones along the way, including a place among the world’s top three economies, hosting the Olympic Games and landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon, will be achieved.

Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Modi built his address around a refrain of national capability and self-reliance.

Quoting the poet Subramania Bharathiyar, Modi urged the audience to give themselves a chance to be fearless. “I am the representative of Kashi,” he said. “Work on your ideas. Dream big, think differently, and be fearless.”

He praised the school as an example of how education can instil patriotism early, recalling an initiative he had featured in his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

A teacher, Girija-amma, had asked each child to save one rupee for the nation’s soldiers. When thousands of children joined, about 40 lakh rupees was raised. “Small contributions can make a big difference,” Modi said.

THE ROADMAP TO 2047

He closed with a call-and-response before an audience, naming each goal and promising it would be met. “Develop India by 2047. We will do it... Top three economy. We will do it. Self-reliant India. We will do it. Global manufacturing hub. We will do it. Hosting the Olympics. We will do it. An Indian on the moon. We will do it,” he said. “Develop Tamil Nadu. Develop India.”

Earlier at the same celebration, Modi told young people to seize what he called “infinite opportunities” in India. The solutions they develop for a developed India, he said, would shape not only the country’s future but also the world’s.

“Today the world is looking for solutions, and you have the potential to provide these solutions,” he said. “I want every youth to see his future on the same big canvas because this is your time. This is your opportunity. I have full faith that this dream of ours will be fulfilled. Together we will do it.”

A BUSY DAY IN CHENNAI

It was a one-day visit packed with events. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay received Modi at Chennai Airport, and it was his first visit to the city since the Vijay government took office. Over 500 Bharatanatyam dancers welcomed him at the Porur metro station, from where he rode the Chennai Metro.

He inaugurated a stretch of the Metro’s Phase II built at a cost of ₹4,900 crore and, at an event in the city, dedicated and laid the foundation for development projects worth over ₹13,000 crore. The projects cover metro rail, highways, railways, ports, petroleum and education.

Modi also offered prayers at the Jalakandeswarar Temple and visited the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras, before addressing the school’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

With inputs from ANI