In a special address to Parliament this evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his final speech before the general elections, commended the achievements of the 17th Lok Sabha, stating that it fulfilled long-awaited aspirations.
Speaking on the concluding day of the 17th Lok Sabha’s final session, he emphasized that the past five years had been dedicated to the principles of reform, performance, and transformation within the country. He highlighted that numerous pivotal reforms, considered game-changers, were implemented during this period.
PM Modi remarked that the nation is witnessing a significant shift, pointing to various developments such as the annulment of Article 370 and the outlawing of Triple Talaq, in addition to hosting the esteemed G20 summit.
The extensive list of achievements by the government, which also encompassed the Data Protection Bill, stringent anti-terrorism legislation, the repeal of outdated laws, and the Women’s Reservation Bill, began with the inauguration of the new parliament building and the accessibility of the parliament library to the public.
Speaking on the decision-making process, PM Modi stated, “Although there was unanimous agreement on the necessity for a new building, a definitive decision was elusive. We took the initiative, and as a result, we now convene in the new Parliament building today.”
He also addressed the focus on marginalized communities, including transgender individuals, 17,000 of whom “received identity cards.” “We conferred Padma awards upon transgender individuals,” he added.
Reflecting on the Covid pandemic, PM Modi described the last five years as witnessing the “greatest crisis of the century,” and Speaker Om Birla ensured that parliamentary proceedings continued without interruption while preserving the dignity of the House.
However, the highlight was the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Many generations harbored the dream of a singular constitution, and this house abolished Article 370. Those who played a role in crafting the constitution must be blessing us today. The people of Kashmir were distant from social justice. Today, we have extended it to them,” he stated.