PM’s address at programme marking celebrations of 125th Founder’s Day of the Scindia school in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 21 Oct, 2023

Honorable Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, the popular Chief Minister of this state, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Director of the Scindia School Board and my colleague in the cabinet, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia ji, along with Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Dr Jitendra Singh, school management colleagues, all staff, teachers, parents, and dear young friends! Congratulations to all of you on the 125th anniversary of Scindia School. Today is also the foundation day of the Azad Hind Government. I extend my wishes to all the citizens of the country. I express my gratitude to all of you for giving me the opportunity to connect with this glorious history. This history belongs to Scindia School and the historic city of Gwalior. From Rishi Gwalipa to the music maestro Tansen, Shrimant Mahadji Scindia ji, Rajmata Vijayaraje, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, this land of Gwalior has continued to inspire generations. This land is the abode of ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power) and valiant women. It was Maharani Gangabai who sold her jewellery to fund the army for the war of independence. Therefore, it is very pleasing while visiting Gwalior. There are two special connections I have with Gwalior. First, I am a Member of Parliament from Varanasi. And the Scindia family has played a significant role in serving Varanasi and in the conservation of our culture. The Scindia family has built numerous ghats on the banks of the Ganga and provided financial assistance for the establishment of BHU. Looking at the development of Varanasi today, one can imagine the satisfaction of Maharani Baijabai and Maharaj Madhav Rao, wherever their souls may be. And, as I mentioned, there are two reasons, so I also share with you another reason. I have another connection with Gwalior. Our Jyotiraditya Scindia ji is the son-in-law of Gujarat. So, I also have a family connection with Gwalior this way. I have another connection and that is my village belonged to the Gaekwad estate. The first primary school that was established in my village was built by the Gaekwad family. And I was fortunate to receive primary education for free in the school which was built by Gaekwad ji. Friends, It has been said in our country: “मनस्येकं वचस्येकं कर्मण्येकं महात्मानाम्।” That means a virtuous person thinks, speaks, and acts in harmony. This is the identification of a conscientious personality. A conscientious person works not just for immediate benefits but for brightening the future of generations to come. There’s an old saying as well. If you are thinking for a year, sow seeds, if you are thinking for a decade, plant trees, and if you are thinking for a century, establish education related institutions. Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia I had this vision not just for immediate benefits but to brighten the future of generations to come. Scindia School was the result of his visionary thinking. He knew the power of Human Resource. Few people might know that the Indian transport company which was established by Madho Rao ji is still operating in Delhi as DTC. He also had a focus on water conservation for future generations. In that era, he established a significant system for water and irrigation. Even after 150 years, the ‘Harsi Dam’ is still the largest earthen dam in Asia. This dam is still serving the people. Madho Rao ji’s personality provides us all with insightful lessons. Whether it is education, career, life, or politics, it’s crucial to work with a long-term perspective. Short-cuts may give you immediate gains. But those who work for immediate selfish gains in society or politics end up causing harm to society and the nation. Friends, In 2014, when the country entrusted me with the responsibility of the Prime Minister, I had two options before me. Either work only for immediate gains or adopt a long-term approach. We decided to work with different time bands—2 years, 5 years, 8 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years. Today, our government has been in power for 10 years. In these 10 years, the decisions made by the country with long-term planning are unprecedented. We have relieved the country from the burden of many pending decisions. For 60 years, there was a demand to abolish Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Our government did this. For 40 years, there was a demand to provide One Rank One Pension to ex-servicemen. Our government fulfilled this demand. For 40 years, there was a demand to implement GST. Our government did that too. For decades, Muslim women were demanding laws against triple talaq. The law against triple talaq was also enacted during our government. You must have seen that just a few weeks ago, a law has been made for reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies. This was also pending for decades. The Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam was also enacted by our government. I have such a long list of achievements that it would take the whole night. I mentioned these significant decisions because if our government didn’t make these decisions, who would have suffered? If we didn’t do this, who would have suffered? It would be your generation. So, I have also lightened the burden for your generation. My effort is to create a very positive environment in the country for the young generation today — an environment where your generation has no shortage of opportunities, an environment where the youth of Bharat dream big and achieve those dreams. Dream big and achieve big. I am saying this to you because when Scindia School completes its 150 years, the country will also be at a significant milestone. It will be 100 years of Bharat’s independence. We have resolved to make the country developed in the next 25 years. And this has to be done by you, the young generation of Bharat has to do this. My confidence is in you, my belief is in the youth, and my faith is in the capabilities of the youth. And I hope that you will work by cherishing these dreams, turning dreams into resolutions, and not stopping until the resolution is achieved. In the next 25 years, what is essential for your life is equally crucial for Bharat. Every student of Scindia School should have this commitment – I will build a developed Bharat. Friends, will you do it or not? I will work with the philosophy of Nation First in every endeavour. I will innovate, I will research, I will stay in the professional world or any place, but I will remain dedicated to building a developed Bharat. And friends, Do you know why I have so much confidence in Scindia School? It is because I also know some alumni of your school very closely. Jitendra Singh, who is a minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office, is sitting on the stage. He is also an alumnus of your school. The voice we used to be enchanted by on the radio, Ameen Sayani ji, Lieutenant General Moti Dar ji, the Meet Bros who gave a splendid presentation here and the fearless Salman Khan, and my friend Nitin Mukesh ji are sitting here. The canvas of Scindia School students is so vast that we see all kinds of colours in it. My young friends, it is written in the Vishnu Purana, गायन्ति देवाः किल गीतकानि, धन्यास्तु ते भारतभूमिभागे। It means that even the gods sing praises for those who are born in this land of Bharat. They are luckier than the gods themselves. Today, Bharat’s success is at an unprecedented height. Bharat’s flag is flying high across the globe. On August 23, Bharat reached the south pole of the moon where no other country has reached. You have also seen Bharat’s success during the G20 Summit. Today, Bharat is the fastest-growing large economy in the world. Bharat is number one in the global fintech adoption rate. Bharat is number one in conducting real-time digital transactions in the world. Bharat is also number one in terms of smartphone data consumers. Today, Bharat is the second-largest country in the world in terms of internet users. Today, Bharat is the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer. Today, Bharat has the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world. Today, Bharat is the world’s third-largest energy consumer. Today, Bharat is preparing to establish its space station in space. Just this morning, you saw the successful test flight of Gaganyaan and the successful test of the ‘Crew Escape System.’ Gwalior has such a large air force base… Have you not seen the Tejas making sorties in the sky? Have you not heard the roar of INS Vikrant in the sea? Today, nothing is impossible for Bharat. Bharat’s growing capabilities are creating new possibilities for you in every sector. Think about it, there were a few hundred start-ups in our country before 2014. Today, the figure for start-ups in Bharat is reaching around one lakh. In the past few years, Bharat has produced more than 100 unicorns. You also know what a unicorn means… It means at least an 8 billion rupees company. Even the students of Scindia School need to make unicorns after graduating from here, to illuminate the name of their school and the country. ‘The world is your oyster!!!’ And as the government, we have also opened new sectors for you. Earlier, only the government used to develop satellites or import them from foreign countries. We have opened the space sector for you, young people. Earlier, defence equipment used to be made only by the government or imported from abroad. We have also opened the defence sector for you, the youth. Many sectors are being developed in Bharat for you now. You need to advance the ‘Make in India’ initiative. You need to advance the resolution of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’. Remember one more mantra of mine – always think out of the box. Like Jyotiraditya Singh ji’s father, our Madhavrao Scindia ji, when he was the Railway Minister, he initiated the Shatabdi trains. No such modern trains were started in Bharat for the next three decades. Now, Vande Bharat has also made its mark in the country, and just yesterday, you saw the speed of Namo Bharat. Friends, Before coming here, I was looking at the names of the different Houses of Scindia School, and Jyotiraditya ji was explaining them to me. The names associated with the resolve of self-governance are such a huge inspiration for you. Shivaji House… Mahadji House, Ranoji House, Dattaji House, Kanerkhed House, Nimaji House, Madhav House, in a way, you have the strength of the seven sages. And I am thinking that on this holy occasion of Navratri, I should give you nine tasks because this is a school program, and if you don’t give homework, it’s not complete. So today, I want to give you nine tasks, will you remember? Why is your voice so feeble, brothers? Will you remember it? Will you make a resolution for it? Will you work throughout your life to fulfil it? First – You all work so much on water conservation here. Water Security is a big challenge of the 21st century. Run a campaign to raise awareness about it. Second – There is a tradition of adopting villages in Scindia School. You should go to villages and inform people about digital transactions. Third – The mission of cleanliness. If Indore in Madhya Pradesh can be number one in cleanliness, why not Gwalior? Take up the challenge of making your city number one in cleanliness. Fourth – Vocal for Local… As much as possible, promote local products, use Made in India products. Fifth – Travel in Bharat first… As much as possible, see your own country first, travel in your country, and then turn towards foreign countries. Sixth – Raise awareness among farmers for natural farming. It is a very necessary campaign to save Mother Earth. Seventh – Include millets – the ‘Shri Anna’ — in your life and promote it vociferously. You know, it’s a superfood. Eighth – Fitness, whether it’s yoga or sports, make it an integral part of your life. Just today, the foundation stone of the multi-purpose sports complex was also laid here. Take full advantage of it too. And ninth – Hand-hold at least one poor family. Until there is even one person in the country who does not have a gas connection, a bank account, a pucca house, or an Ayushman card… we won’t sit comfortably. It is very necessary to eradicate poverty from Bharat. Following this path, more than 13.5 crore people have come out of poverty in just five years. Walking on this path, Bharat will eliminate poverty and become developed. Friends, Today’s Bharat is doing everything on a mega scale. Therefore, you should not think small about your future. Both your dreams and resolutions should be big. And let me tell you this, your dream is my resolution. You can share your thoughts, your ideas on the Namo App as well. And now I’m also on WhatsApp, so you can connect with me there too. If you want, you can even share your secrets, and I promise I won’t tell anyone. Friends, Life should continue with laughter and jokes. Stay happy and stay healthy. I have complete trust in all of you. Remember, Scindia School is not just an institution but a legacy. It has carried forward the resolutions of Maharaja Madho Rao not only before independence but also after independence. Now, its flag is in your hands. I congratulate the youth who were honoured a little while ago. Once again, many best wishes to Scindia School and all the young friends for a better future. Thank you all. Namaskar!