anirudhsankar/PMIndia-SpeechDataset-2004-2024 huggingface dataset:
PM’s remarks at the release of Book: Indian Painting: Themes, History and Interpretations: Essays in Honour of Professor B N Goswami
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 18, 2013 New Delhi

PM’s remarks at the release of Book: Indian Painting: Themes, History and Interpretations: Essays in Honour of Professor B N Goswami “It’s a great honour and a privilege for me to have this unique opportunity to release this volume of essays in honour of Professor Brijender Goswami. I have of course no claim to have done anything in the field of art, but I do claim that I have known Brijender from his college days when we both were students in Hindu College, Amritsar, and later on in Punjab University college and still later on when we both taught in the Punjab University. As I said I have known Brijender from about six and a half decades back, and I can tell you that his scholarship was as impressive then as it is now. We studied together in Hindu College, Amritsar and then taught together in the Panjab University for some time. Professor Goswami had joined the University after saying no to a career in the Indian Administrative Service for which he had qualified. In those days quitting the IAS, the privileged service that it was, was a very difficult and unheard of thing to do, but then Professor Goswami has always been a man of conviction. He clearly heard the calling of his heart early in life. And it has been the gain of the world of art that he did so. And that we all gathered here to celebrate his 80th birthday is a double bonanza. Over the years, Professor Goswami has acquired an iconic status. His work, particularly in the area of Indian painting has been deeply influential. He has made the world at large more aware of the nuances of Indian art through a variety of ways, including teaching in universities in the United States and Europe. It is a fitting tribute to Prof. Goswami that reputed scholars from all over the world have come together to contribute to this magnificent volume entitled "Indian Painting: Themes, History and Interpretations", being published in his honour. I understand that apart from opening up new perspectives on various aspects of Indian painting, the volume also contains information about several new research initiatives. I have had an occasion to glance through the book and, notwithstanding my little knowledge about its vast subject, it looks truly authoritative and truly impressive. I am sure that it will be of great use to everyone who is interested in the subject of Indian art and particularly in the subject of Indian painting. With these words, I conclude by congratulating the editors and publishers for this excellent volume. I wish Prof. Brijender Goswami many many years ahead of scholarship, good health and happiness. And I should like also to congratulate his gracious wife Karuna ji who induced me to accept this invitation and I am very grateful to her that she did me that honour.”
PM’s banquet speech during the state visit of Prime Minister of Hungary to India
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 17, 2013 New Delhi

PM’s banquet speech during the state visit of Prime Minister of Hungary to India “It gives me immense pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to Prime Minister Orban and his delegation on their visit to our country. Your Excellency, you happen to be in India during a season of festivals. Let me say that your presence amongst us in this festive season adds greatly to our joy. We wish you a very pleasant, productive and enjoyable stay in our country. Your Excellency, notwithstanding the difficulties that faced you when you took over the reins of your country, you have led with great skill and resolve in guiding Hungary out of its crisis and back on to a path of growth. In doing so, you have only exemplified the spirit for which your country is well-known. Through the last half century and more, the people of India have borne witness to the resolve of the Hungarian people. The most recent occasion was in the momentous years of 1988-89, when they succeeded in restoring democracy in Hungary and ending an era of division in Europe. We have seen with admiration and joy Hungary’s rapid transformation since then. In this, your first visit to India, and in your broader "Eastern Opening”, you have demonstrated that opportunities in our integrated world are determined not by size or distance, but by imagination and initiative. Your visit builds on the remarkable tradition of cultural ties and affinity between our people. Hungarian scholars of Indology have made invaluable contributions to Europe’s rich scholarship on Indian traditions, culture and heritage. Sanskrit was introduced in a Hungarian University in 1873. Gurudev RabindranathTagore, who invited many Hungarian scholars to Shanti Niketan, was himself enraptured by the beauty of the waters of Lake Balaton. And, this year, we are jointly celebrating the centenary of the noted painter Amrita Sher-Gil, who was a daughter of India and Hungary. These traditions of affection and goodwill between our people, together with our shared democratic values and the rich possibilities of our economic partnership, provide an enduring foundation for our partnership. Our relations have remained on a steady course through the tumult and change in Europe and the world. The growing presence of Indian companies in Hungary is indicative of the promise of our relationship. We also value the support we have received from Hungary in international forums. All this leads me to believe that Hungary and India can find great opportunities in each other and also be each other’s bridge to Europe and Asia. With these words, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I now request you to join me in raising a toast to: • The good health and well being of His Excellency Prime Minister Orban; • The progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Hungary; and • The everlasting bonds of friendship between India and Hungary.”
PM's concluding remarks at the meeting of the National Integration Council
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 23, 2013 New Delhi

PM's concluding remarks at the meeting of the National Integration Council I am very grateful to all those who have spoken and made very constructive suggestions on strengthening national integration. India is a country of great diversity. It is, therefore, inevitable that when we are discussing complicated issues, like the one we have been discussing, there should be reflection of this diversity of opinion. But I am very happy to notice that we are all agreed about the need to do our very best to promote communal harmony, to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and in the process, we must do all that we can, to stand by the values inscribed in our Constitution. It is clear from what has been said today that threats from communal, separatist and obscurantist forces to our nation`s integrity, gender relations, harmony and equality for all our citizens must be dealt with firmly and promptly. This is also reflected in the Resolution that we have adopted today. Preventing incidents of communal violence is primarily the responsibility of the local administration and the police force. But it is not only the task of administration and police. It requires a national effort led by all of us in public life, particularly those involved in the political processes, and by all our citizens in every walk of life. It is also incumbent on all of us to promote actively an atmosphere conducive to the maintenance of communal harmony. It is now for us to rededicate ourselves to this task, and to ensure that our deliberations in this Council result in concrete steps and improvements in the communal situation, in preventing atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, in eradicating manual scavenging and preventing violence against our women.
PM’s statement at Muzaffarnagar
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 16, 2013 Muzaffarnagar

PM’s statement at Muzaffarnagar मैं, सोनिया जी और राहुल गाँधी आपके दुःख दर्द में शामिल होने  के लिए आये हैं ताकि इस बात का अंदाज़ा लगा सकूं कि इतनी बड़ी दुर्घटना हुई।  यह बहुत बड़ी दुर्घटना है, जो भी इसके लिए जिम्मेदार है उनको पूरी पूरी सजा मिलनी चाहिए। सरकार, UP सरकार की पूरी पूरी मदद करेगी और साथ ही साथ हमारी कोशिश ये होगी कि जो लोग इस बड़ी दुर्घटना में शामिल हुए है उनको कड़ी से कड़ी सजा मिले।
PM's message at the International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 11, 2013 New Delhi

PM's message at the International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco I extend my warm greetings to the distinguished delegates of this conference, which is being held to find ways and means of meeting a major public health challenge of the 21st century. According to estimates of the World Health Organisation, tobacco consumption was responsible for 100 million deaths in the 20th century and will claim one billion lives in this century, unless it is stopped with firm resolve.  Apart from causing death and disability in high numbers, the use of tobacco also imposes other serious costs on the economy and society.  Poverty is now well recognised to be a possible consequence of tobacco consumption.  The wood fuel need for curing tobacco leaf and the high volume of pesticides used in tobacco farming are a threat to the environment. Tobacco control calls for a combination of political and public health action.  Together, multi-sectoral policies and public awareness must drive down both demand and supply. India is firmly committed to the vision of a tobacco-free society.  Our Parliament unanimously enacted a comprehensive legislation for tobacco control in 2003.  India is also a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, in whose development and adoption we played a pivotal role. We have recently banned the sale of ‘ghutka’, a widely consumed form of oral tobacco.  Bans on advertising of tobacco products and smoking in public places are also in place. As we act with conviction and commitment to eliminate tobacco as a threat to human health, we must also assist those engaged in tobacco farming or manufacture to move towards economically viable alternate livelihoods. I am sure this conference will contribute substantially to developing implementable and impactful strategies for stamping out tobacco as a danger to our collective future. I wish you all success in your deliberations.
PM’s speech on the occasion of the release of the postage stamp in memory of Lala Jagat Narayan
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 9, 2013 New Delhi

PM’s speech on the occasion of the release of the postage stamp in memory of Lala Jagat Narayan Following is the speech of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, delivered in Hindi, on the occasion of the release of the postage stamp in memory of Lala Jagat Narayan in New Delhi today: Click here for Speech in Hindi
PM's statement in the Lok Sabha on the files/papers yet to be supplied to CBI
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 3, 2013 New Delhi

PM's statement in the Lok Sabha on the files/papers yet to be supplied to CBI Hon’ble Madam Speaker, With regard to the so-called missing files or papers pertaining to the ongoing investigation into allocation of coal blocks, I would like to emphasize that the Government is making all efforts to locate the papers requisitioned by the CBI and, at this stage, it would be premature to say that some papers are indeed missing. A vast majority of the papers sought by the CBI have already been handed over to them. However, disregarding the factual position, some members have gone ahead and drawn their own conclusions that there is something fishy and the government is hiding something. Hon’ble Madam Speaker, 2. Let me assure this august House that the government has nothing to hide. The fact that more than 150,000 pages of documentation have already been handed over to the CBI clearly shows that our intention to facilitate the process of investigation cannot be called into question. Right from the days the CAG began its exercise of performance audit, the government has always provided its fullest cooperation to the CAG and later to the CBI. We will continue to do so. If the records in question are indeed found missing, the government will carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that the guilty are brought to book. Hon’ble Madam Speaker, 3. The matter of allocation of coal blocks is sub-judice; the apex court of the country is looking into all aspects of these allocations. Moreover, the ongoing investigation by the CBI is being closely monitored by the apex court. In its order dated 29 August 2013 the court has directed that within five days the CBI shall provide a comprehensive list of documents and records which remain outstanding and, thereafter within two weeks the government will hand over the available papers to the CBI. The government shall follow these directions in letter and spirit and shall do its best to locate and hand over the requisite papers to the CBI within the timeframe stipulated by the apex court. If the government is unable to locate some of these papers within the stipulated time, then as directed by the court a report will be filed with the CBI for appropriate inquiry/ investigation. 4. In such a situation, I urge the honorable members of this august body not to draw hasty conclusions and let the House continue with its normal business.
PM's address at the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award Ceremony
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: August 20, 2013 New Delhi

PM's address at the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award Ceremony Following is the address of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, delivered in Hindi, at Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award Ceremony in New Delhi today: “मुझे बहुत खुशी है कि एक बार फिर मुझे राजीव गांधी राष्ट्रीय सद्भावना पुरस्कार समारोह में हिस्सा लेने का मौका मिला है। मैं आज के पुरस्कार विजेता श्री अमजद अली खान साहब को बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं। जैसा कि‍ आप सबको मालूम है यह पुरस्कार हमने अपने प्रिय नेता और पूर्व प्रधान मंत्री राजीव जी की याद में स्थापित किया है। राजीव जी ने अपनी पूरी ज़िंदगी हमारे समाज को जोड़ने का काम किया है। वह यह बात अच्छी तरह जानते थे कि हमारा देश तभी तरक्की कर सकता है जब हम एक दूसरे के धर्म, भाषा और विचारों के प्रति सहनशील रहें और उनका आदर करना सीखें। एक आधुनिक और प्रगतिशील भारत के निर्माण के लिए राजीव जी ने जो काम किया वह हमें हमेशा प्रेरणा देता रहेगा। हम सब जानते हैं कि भारत एक विशाल और विविध देश है। दुनिया के सभी मुख्य धर्मों के साथ-साथ हमारे यहाँ अनेकों भाषाएं, संप्रदाय और संस्कृतियां मौजूद हैं। कई बार इस विविधता का नाजायज़ फायदा उठाते हुए हमें बांटने की कोशिशें की जाती हैं। यह सभी राजनैतिक दलों, समाज के सभी वर्गों और हम सब का फर्ज बनता है कि हम इन कोशिशों को नाकाम बनाएं। अभी कुछ दिन पहले हमारे देश में जो सांप्रदायिक हिंसा हुई उससे हमें यह सबक लेना चाहिए कि सांप्रदायिक ताकतों को रोकने के प्रयासों में कभी-भी कोई ढील नहीं आनी चाहिए। हमें ऐसी ताकतों का हर वक्त और हर स्तर पर विरोध करना है, चाहे वह रोज़मर्रा की ज़िंदगी हो या चुनाव। हमें आपस में सद्भावना बढ़ाने के प्रयास करते रहना चाहिए ताकि हमारे मन में एक दूसरे के लिए कभी-भी अविश्वास पैदा न हो और कोई भी हमारे बीच फूट न डाल सके। यही राजीव जी को हमारी सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि होगी। आज के पुरस्कार विजेता श्री अमजद अली साहब हमारे देश के अज़ीम फ़नकारों में से एक हैं। वह एक महान सरोद वादक हैं जिन्होंने दुनिया भर में लोगों को सरोद के जादू से वाकिफ़ कराया है। कहते हैं कि संगीत किसी भाषा का मोहताज नहीं होता। न तो उसका कोई मज़हब होता है और न ही कोई जाति। और इसीलिए संगीत में धर्म, भाषा और मज़हब जैसे दायरों से ऊपर उठकर लोगों को एक करने की ताकत होती है। श्री अमजद अली खान साहब ने सरोद के जरिए यह काम बखूबी किया है। वह भारत की मिली जुली संस्कृति की एक अनोखी मिसाल हैं। हमारे देश के संगीत घरानों की परंपराएं हमेशा Secular रही हैं। बल्कि यह कहना गलत नहीं होगा कि इन परंपराओं से बेहतर Secularism की कोई मिसाल नहीं दी जा सकती है। श्री अमजद अली खान साहब ने इस Secular सोच को पूरे देश में फैलाया है। हम सबको उन पर गर्व है और हमको उन से प्रेरणा भी मिलती है। मेरी ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि वह उनको तमाम सारी नई कामयाबियां हासिल करवाए। हमारे देश और समाज को श्री अमजद अली खान साहब जैसी बहुत सी शख्सियतों की ज़रूरत है। अपनी बात खत्म करते हुए मैं एक बार फिर उनको बधाई देता हूं और स्व. राजीव गांधी जी को श्रद्धांजलि देता हूं।”
PM's remarks on releasing  a Volume " History of the RBI"
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: August 17, 2013 New Delhi

PM's remarks on releasing  a Volume " History of the RBI" It goes without saying that the history of the Reserve Bank is the history of the growth of our country since independence. The Reserve Bank has done the country proud - the role which it has played in shaping the monetary policy, in shaping the credit policy, and, if I remember correctly, in also influencing, particularly, the supply of credit to rural areas. The Reserve Bank has served our country with great distinction. But I venture to think that the best is yet to come. Dr. Subbarao has touched upon various facets of policy-making, and I dare say, Dr. Raghuram Rajan will build on the experience of his predecessors to chart out a new course of action in very difficult circumstances that our economy is facing. We can never be satisfied with the status quo. When I became the Governor, I had no great knowledge of what monetary policy is about, and therefore, I asked the late Prof. Chakravarty to head a committee to look at the functioning, the goals, the means and measures of monetary policy, and that report was pretty influential for a period of time. And I would venture to think that the time has come, when we should revisit some of those areas - the possibilities and limitations of monetary policy in a globalized economy, in a fiscally constrained economy - I think that is one subject. But macro-economic policy-making, targets and instruments, I think, is another area, where I feel fresh thinking is called for, and I sincerely hope that the Governors of the future, particularly Dr. Raghuram Rajan, will attempt to revisit some of these difficult areas. And thank you all, at least among professional people, a degree of national consensus, which we need, if we have to carry out social and economic change in a country as large, as diverse, as complex as India is. As I said, the Reserve Bank has served our country with great distinction. But as I ventured to think, the best is yet to come. With these words, I wish Dr. Subbarao the best. he has served the Reserve Bank and our country with great devotion. And I extend a hearty welcome to his successor, Dr. Raghuram Rajan. In him, we have a very distinguished economist of international fame. I sincerely hope that the Reserve Bank of India will see a more glorious period under his Governorship.
PM's remarks at the foundation stone laying function for the new NCAER Centre
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: July 27, 2013 New Delhi

PM's remarks at the foundation stone laying function for the new NCAER Centre I am very happy today, to be here on this occasion, to lay the foundation stone of the new building of the National Council of Applied Economic Research. The institute is a great asset to us, and it is obligatory on all those who work, or are associated with this magnificent institute, to never lose sight of the vision of the founding fathers of the NCAER. I remember Dr. P.S. Lokanathan, who, after serving as the first Secretary General of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far-East, took over as the first Director General of this great institute – and I reflect on what he stood for. The purpose of the study of economics is not to provide settled answers to unsettled and difficult questions, but sometimes to warn economists and the world-at-large, how not to be misled by clever governments. I would like to say, that when we study economics, our impulse is not the philosopher’s impulse – knowledge for the sake of knowledge – but for healing that that knowledge may help to bring. These are the words of past thinkers: Wonder is the beginning of philosophy; but it is not wonder, but social enthusiasm, which revolts against the silence of fixed life, and the orderliness of the mainstream, which is the beginning of economic science. I sincerely hope that this institute will stay faithful to the ideals which the founding fathers stood for, and I must say that with the passage of time, the need for creating purposeful, applied economic research is not diminished, it has actually gone up. Meaningful research has been done by past Chairmen and past members of the NCAER. I sincerely hope that this building which is now going to come up, will provide a hospitable environment for the pursuit of applied economic research. With these words, I once again express my sense of joy to be associated with this function.
PM’s remarks at the meeting of  the High Level Committee on Manufacturing
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: July 9, 2013 New Delhi

PM’s remarks at the meeting of  the High Level Committee on Manufacturing Today, we have discussed some important areas which are critical for the growth of manufacturing in our country and also for keeping our country at the frontiers of science & technology. I would like to thank Dr. Krishnamurthy and his team at the National Manufacturing Competitive Council for their excellent work towards improving the capabilities of our manufacturing sector. They have been tracking the investment programme of Central Public Sector Undertakings, thus helping in boosting investment in the economy. They have also been helping in resolving the problems of individual sectors by bringing them to the notice of the Ministries concerned. Manufacturing has to be the backbone of our growth strategy over the next decade. We are witnessing a major shift in the structure of our economy. Agriculture, which continues to account for more than 50% of our population, today constitutes less than 15% of our GDP. If we have to grow at 8-9% in the future, this has to come through sustained growth in manufacturing, particularly labour-intensive manufacturing. Manufacturing and manufacturing alone can absorb all those who need better livelihood opportunities. There are certain manufacturing sectors which have undoubtedly done well over the last 20 years. Automobiles, auto-components, pharmaceuticals, metals and cement are some such areas which quickly come to one’s mind. However, we have not been able to leverage our strengths both in traditional industries and in emerging sectors to the extent we could have. We hardly have any manufacturing capabilities in electronics and telecommunications. Often, our production is at the lower end of the value chain.  Our exports consist of raw materials and primary goods and our imports consist overwhelmingly of manufacturing. We need to remedy this situation by removing the bottlenecks that hinder our progress in Manufacturing and taking full advantage of our strengths. In the Steel and Textile sectors, there is a need to ramp up output and I suggest that the Ministries act on the lines proposed and come up with Action Plans. On Electric and Hybrid transport, Civilian Aircraft production and Advanced Materials, I agree that we should start working for the future, even if it takes time and even though there are uncertainties on the horizon. The groups proposed can do their work and take these ideas forward. Thank you.