anirudhsankar/PMIndia-SpeechDataset-2004-2024 huggingface dataset:
PM's remarks at the meeting with Awardee Teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 5, 2011 New Delhi

PM's remarks at the meeting with Awardee Teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day "I am very happy to be with you today on the occasion of Teachers' Day. As you know, today is the birthday of our former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a man of great wisdom and a teacher of extraordinary capabilities. His life and work are a source of abiding inspiration for all of us. Today we express our gratitude to our teachers and honour them for their immense contribution to the processes of nation building. I extend my very warm greetings to all teachers of our country on the occasion of Teachers' Day. I started my career as a teacher and teaching has always been very close to my heart. I am therefore especially happy to have this opportunity to meet the outstanding teachers who are to be honoured today for their meritorious services and contribution to the cause of school education. These National Awards are a small token of our gratitude to our teaching fraternity. I congratulate the awardee teachers and wish them all the best for the future. Our Government is committed to providing quality education to all our children. The Right to Education legislation that we have enacted has the potential to transform our schools and the lives of our children. The implementation of this legislation is not just a matter of providing more resources; it is the dedication and commitment of our teachers that will ultimately help us to achieve its goals and objectives. Teachers have a very critical role to play in shaping the future of India. It is they who inculcate moral values in our children and inspire them to high ideals of patriotism, communal harmony and commitment to the cause of social justice. It is they who awaken in children the hunger for knowledge. They have the power to develop in our children the ability to contribute to our society and the processes of nation building. In the coming time more and more children with diverse backgrounds will enter the school system. Your challenge therefore will be to work towards a democratic classroom in which all children participate in the learning processes as equal partners. While educating our children and young adults, we must maintain a balance between tradition and modernity. As teachers you will need to ensure that our unique cultural heritage is preserved while preparing the children for global citizenship. Our effort should be to inculcate in the children not only high moral values but also progressive, rational attitudes which enable them to compete with others in the globalized world that we live in. I once again congratulate all the awardee teachers for this very prestigious National Award. I wish you all success in your future endeavours."
PM's address at the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award Ceremony
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: August 20, 2011 New Delhi

PM's address at the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award Ceremony The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the ceremony to present Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award ceremony here today. The Award given to SPIC MACAY ('Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture amongst Youth'). Click to Speech
PM's statement at Sir J J Hospital, Mumbai
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: July 14, 2011 Mumbai

PM's statement at Sir J J Hospital, Mumbai "Sonia ji and I have come to Mumbai to share the deep sorrow of the people of Mumbai at this tragedy. Terrorists have struck once again and we have to make collectively every effort to ensure that the injured recover their normal health, those who have lost their dear ones, to them I express our deep sympathy and condolences. Terrorists had the advantage of surprise. This time, there was no prior indication, but the state administration rose remarkably well to the occasion and this occasion in the aftermath of this tragedy, within one hour of this tragedy all the injured persons were sent to various hospitals. There has been remarkable coordination of efforts between the centre and the state government. Now our main task is to find out who the culprits are and how we can work together to bring them to book. I once again convey my deepest condolences to those who have lost their dear ones, to the injured and their families, I pray they will recover their normal health soon."
PM's concluding remarks at the Full Planning Commission meeting
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: April 21, 2011 New Delhi

PM's concluding remarks at the Full Planning Commission meeting "We have had a very thorough and stimulating discussion of some of the critical issues that the economy will face in the Twelfth Plan period. I would like to thank the Ministers for their comments. I think we can all agree that the presentation on objectives and challenges made by the Planning Commission has been generally endorsed by the Ministers. There was general agreement that the Planning Commission should focus on policy and governance reforms, while working towards a growth target of between 9.0 to 9.5 percent for the Twelfth Five Year Plan. We should also set monitorable targets related to different dimensions of inclusiveness, and then work to achieve these targets by appropriate design of policy and funding of Plan schemes. We have had a preliminary discussion of resource availability during the Twelfth Plan period. The Planning Commission presentation has rightly emphasized the importance of working within the overall target of fiscal consolidation. This is an important constraint that we must recognize. The Planning Commission and Finance Ministry together must come up with a realistic assessment of Plan size for the Centre and the States. Many of the Ministers have made a number of important points, some of which elaborate the ideas in the presentation, while some also add new dimensions. I have particularly noted the suggestions of the Finance Minister to improve the functioning of the legal system and methods of dispute resolution, and on improving the functioning of key infrastructure sectors. Other Ministers have also made a number of suggestions for different sectors. The Planning Commission should take account of all the comments made today and prepare a draft Approach to the Twelfth Plan as quickly as possible. It goes without saying that sustainability and low carbon issues should be kept in mind. This document should be discussed with the States in regional consultations that have been mentioned. Thereafter a revised Approach document could be circulated to Ministries concerned. The Approach paper can then be brought to the Cabinet, after which it could go to the National Development Council. We should aim at an NDC meeting sometime in July."
PM's opening remarks at the Full Planning Commission meeting
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: April 21, 2011 New Delhi

PM's opening remarks at the Full Planning Commission meeting "This meeting of the Planning Commission has been called to discuss the key challenges our economy will have to face in the Twelfth Plan. We have just entered the last year of the Eleventh Plan, and this is an appropriate time to develop an Approach to the Twelfth Plan. To kick off our discussion, I had asked the Planning Commission to prepare a presentation on some of the key issues we need to address. The Planning Commission presentation which has been circulated for this meeting brings out the fact that we will end the Eleventh Plan with about 8.2 percent GDP growth. This is short of the 9% target, but it is a commendable achievement for a Plan period which saw a severe drought as well as a global economic slowdown. We have also made important progress towards our goal of greater inclusiveness. Enrollment rates have increased, drop out rates have fallen, gender gaps are being reduced. Infant mortality rates have fallen. It is true that progress in this area has been less than we had targeted and we must ensure that we do much better in future. One of the problems in judging progress in socio-economic development is that the relevant data become available only after a considerable lag. For example, most of the discussion on poverty reduction is based on data for 2004-05, which is well before the Eleventh Plan began. I am told that the latest data for 2009-10 have just become available and will provide the first authoritative measure of the extent of progress in poverty reduction during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period. I urge the Commission to prepare estimates of poverty based on the latest data and make them available for public discussion as soon as possible. The Twelfth Plan must build on what we have achieved and indeed do better in the next five years. The objective must be faster, more inclusive and also sustainable growth. For this we need to define new targets for the Twelfth Plan. We need to identify the critical areas where existing policies and programmes are not delivering results, and should, therefore, be strengthened or even restructured. We also need to consider what new challenges have emerged which call for altogether new initiatives. I have specially asked the Commission to examine challenges relating to energy, water and urbanisation which are likely to become more severe. A critical issue in any Plan is the availability of resources. The Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry should work to come to an agreed position on the resources that would be available for the 12th Plan, consistent with the objective of ensuring fiscal viability. However, we do know that resources will be a constraint. This underlines the need to focus more on efficiency of resource use, and also supplement public resources with private investment, wherever feasible. I understand the presentation will take about 30 minutes. Thereafter, I will invite the Minister Members, to share their thoughts on the issues raised in the presentation."
PM's statement at Joint Press Conference at the BRICS Summit
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: April 14, 2011 Sanya, China

PM's statement at Joint Press Conference at the BRICS Summit I would like to thank His Excellency President Hu Jintao for hosting the BRICS Summit in this beautiful city of Sanya. I thank the Government and the people of China for their warm hospitality and for the excellent arrangements that have been made. I would also like to warmly welcome South Africa as a member of BRICS. We have greatly benefited from President Jacob Zuma's wise counsel in our deliberations. We have had very fruitful discussions at the Summit. We have reviewed the international situation, discussed international economic, financial and trade issues, the challenges of sustainable development, food security, energy security and climate change. We have adopted the Sanya Declaration and agreed upon an Action Plan to deepen and broaden cooperation among our countries. This is an extremely rich and ambitious agenda. It covers the areas of security, finance, business links, agriculture, health, culture, sports and the green economy. Our designated banks have signed a framework agreement on financial cooperation which envisages grant of credit in local currencies and cooperation in capital markets and other financial services. In a short span of two years since our first Summit in 2009, BRICS has thus travelled a long distance. The quality and durability of the global economic recovery process depends to a great measure on how the BRICS economies perform. We have reason to be satisfied with the management of our economies, but there is no room for complacency. The developments in West Asia and North Africa and the aftermath of the huge tragedy that befell Japan have introduced fresh uncertainties in the global recovery process. At the same time, the world continues to grapple with threats to security from terrorism and piracy. As members of the G-20, the BRICS countries closely cooperate with the rest of the world. We will continue to do so as we prepare for the next G-20 Summit in France. It is a unique coincidence that this year all the BRICS countries are also members of the United Nations Security Council. We have therefore agreed to intensify our consultations to address the major economic and political challenges that face us. An important objective must remain the reform of institutions of global governance to make them truly representative of contemporary realities. I am deeply encouraged by the consensus among us of the need for an international order that is rule based and respects the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of individual States. I have invited the BRICS leaders to India for the next BRICS Summit in 2012, and I am happy that they have accepted my invitation. I once again thank President Hu Jintao for hosting this Summit and for his admirable leadership in guiding it to a successful conclusion. Thank you.
PM's statement to Media at Mohali
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: March 30, 2011 Mohali

PM's statement to Media at Mohali I am very grateful to Prime Minister Gilani for having accepted my invitation to join me in watching this beautiful game of cricket. Cricket has been a uniting factor, it has brought our two Prime Ministers together and I dare say that's a very good beginning. Whatever be the differences between our two countries we have to find pathways to resolve them. And Gilani Sahib and I have had extensive discussions on all outstanding issues and we have reaffirmed our resolve that there are difficulties on the way but we will make every honest effort to overcome those difficulties. And the message from Mohali is that the people of India and Pakistan want to live in peace and amity and that the two Prime Ministers have committed their Governments to work in that direction.
PM's statement in the Lok Sabha
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: March 18, 2011 New Delhi

PM's statement in the Lok Sabha Yesterday, several Honourable Members raised allegations based on reports in a newspaper of what purport to be cables from the US Embassy in New Delhi to their authorities in Washington. The Government of India cannot confirm the veracity, contents or even the existence of such communications.  I may point out that many of the persons referred to in those reports have stoutly denied the veracity of the contents. An issue was raised that the offence of bribery was committed in India. Government rejects that allegation absolutely and firmly. Let it be remembered that in July 2008, in the 14th LoK Sabha, Government moved a Motion of Confidence. In an open vote that was taken on the floor of the House, Government won the confidence of the Lok Sabha by 275 votes for and 256 votes against. The allegations of bribery were investigated by a committee constituted by the 14th Lok Sabha. The Committee had concluded that there was insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion of bribery. I am disappointed that members of the Opposition have forgotten what happened thereafter. Upon the  conclusion of the term of the 14th Lok Sabha, there was a general election. In that general election, the Opposition parties repeated their allegations of bribery in the trust vote. How did the people respond to those allegations? The principal Opposition party which had 138 seats in the 14th Lok Sabha was reduced to 116 seats in the 15th Lok Sabha. The left parties found  that their tally was reduced from 59 to 24. It is the Congress Party alone which increased its tally from 145 to 206, an increase of 61 seats. It is unfortunate that the Opposition continues to raise old charges that have been debated, discussed and rejected by the people of India. It is most surprising that speculative, unverified and unverifiable communications should be given dignity  and   seized upon by the Opposition parties to revive old charges that have been soundly rejected. I wish to make it clear that no one from the Congress Party or the Government indulged in any unlawful act during the trust vote during July, 2008. The UPA I Government always enjoyed the confidence of the people and the 14th Lok Sabha. The UPA II Government has been formed in the 15th Lok Sabha and enjoys the confidence of this House and the people of India.
PM's statement in the Lok Sabha
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: February 22, 2011 New Delhi

PM's statement in the Lok Sabha Madam Speaker, On account of the controversy relating to the allocation of 2G spectrum, the precious Winter Session of Parliament was lost. Our country can ill-afford a situation where Parliament is paralyzed and important legislative business is not allowed to be considered. In paralyzing Parliament, I believe, we all do disservice to those who have elected us. Our Government is committed to root out corruption and has acted expeditiously and transparently in this direction. A CBI investigation into the allocation of 2G spectrum is being supervised by the Supreme Court. Also, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament is seized of the matter and the Government is fully cooperating with it. We also have the report of the Independent Inquiry Committee set up under the Chairmanship of Justice Shivraj Patil, which is in the public domain. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has also acted with expedition. Our Government believed that as all effective steps were being taken, we might have been able to persuade the Opposition not to insist on a JPC. We could not succeed inspite of our sincere efforts. We can ill-afford a situation where Parliament is not allowed to function during the crucial Budget Session. It is in these special circumstances that our Government agrees to the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee. We are a functioning democracy and must strive to resolve our differences in a spirit of accommodation and collaboration not confrontation. This, I hope, will renew our confidence in India's forward march. I am, therefore, requesting the Honourable Speaker to proceed with the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee. A formal motion in this regard will be moved soon.
PM Inaugurates centenary celebrations of  Kerala Kaumudi  Publications
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: February 12, 2011 Trivandrum

PM Inaugurates centenary celebrations of  Kerala Kaumudi  Publications I am very happy to participate in this function being held as part of the centenary year celebrations of Kerala Kaumudi. This is a publication which started as a journal in 1911 and transformed itself into a daily newspaper in 1940. The publication has a history to be proud of. It has had very accomplished men and women associated with it. The founding editor Shri C.V. Kunjuraman was not only a brilliant journalist but also a noted literary personality and a revolutionary thinker. Later Shri M.K. Kumaran edited Kerala Kaumudi for over a decade. Apart from his journalistic and literary pursuits, he was also active in public service, having been twice elected to the Lok Sabha. The Sunday columns of Sahodaran Ayyapan are legendary and he continued writing them till he passed away. Kerala Kaumudi's political correspondent Shri K. Balakrishnan is also a famous figure in the journalistic history of Kerala. He served as a Member of Parliament too. In this centenary year, it is time for all those associated with Kerala Kaumudi to cherish the memory and genius of all these talented men and women who have contributed in building this celebrated newspaper. Journalists have a very special role to play in the building of our society. They inform and educate public opinion. In some sense, they are the conscience keepers of society - pointing out what is wrong not only with the administration and government but also society at large. If they are true to their professions, journalists can become agents of change - and change for the better. The qualities that a good journalist should possess are well known. The two which I would like to emphasize here are accuracy and fairness. Accuracy is relatively easy to understand and uphold. However, fairness implies not merely the absence of bias in reporting on events but also a very conscious attempt to present diverse and different views on a situation or an issue. It implies bearing in mind that truth often lies somewhere between extreme positions adopted by interested parties. And today, in an increasingly complex world, journalists must also take pains to be continuously on their toes, to update and educate themselves relentlessly. I am sure all those in Kerala Kaumudi family will bear these essential qualities of good journalism in mind as they build on their glorious tradition to face the challenges of the future. I am very happy that the Kerala Kaumudi group will start a TV channel also after a few months. This should enable this Group to serve the public better. I hope the channel, like the Kerala Kaumudi newspaper will play an important role in shaping public opinion. Let me end by wishing the Kerala Kaumudi newspaper and its TV channel all the best in years to come. It is my fond hope that they will serve the public cause even more zealously than before.
PM launches 'Central Hall' - Magazine of the Parliamentarians of India
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: January 31, 2011 New Delhi

PM launches 'Central Hall' - Magazine of the Parliamentarians of India "I am very happy to have this opportunity to participate in this function which marks the beginning of a new era in the long distinguished history of the Constitution Club of India. This Club has seen many ups and down and what Mr. Rudy has just now told us, it is a matter of great satisfaction that with the concerted efforts of the Governing Body, things are improving and that we have an ambitious agenda ahead of us to make this club as an effective instrument to provide recreation, but also provide food for thought to the members of Parliament and their families. Parliament is a primary forum for discussion, dialogue, legislation and I don't think anybody would deny that things are not what they ought to be. And therefore all of us have a responsibility to explore ways and means of ensuring that the primacy of Parliament as the primary legislative forum of our country, as a forum for dialogue on critical key issues of contemporary polity, society and economy, that these functions of Parliament are not forgotten. And therefore I believe, apart from these, there are other issues which are engaging public attention, the issue of electoral reforms, the manner in which political parties are funded, the issues that agitate people with regard to the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of affirmative action which is a hallmark of Indian Constitution. All these issues, I dare say require informed debate and I sincerely hope that this magazine, in-house magazine of the Constitution Club, would provide an opportunity to discuss and debate vital issues concerning our national polity. With these words, I once again congratulate the members of the Governing Body and the editorial board of the Central Hall for taking this initiative. I hope this will not only entertain but it would also be an instrument of creating a genuine discussion and dialogue on key issues of national importance."