The Tricolour must continue to be proudly waved by all.

Bharat Mata Ki Jai,

Bharat Mata Ki Jai,

Bharat Mata Ki Jai,

Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Bhai, Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, all my colleagues from the Gujarat Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, other distinguished dignitaries, and my dear brothers and sisters of Dahod!

How is everyone? Please respond loudly—Dahod’s influence has grown now!

Today is the 26th of May. It was on this very day in 2014 that I took the oath as Prime Minister for the first time. I desire that the Tricolour always continues to be waved with pride. The people of Gujarat blessed me abundantly, and later, crores of citizens across the nation showered me with their blessings. Empowered by your blessings, I have devoted myself to serving my fellow countrymen, day and night.

Over these years, the nation has made decisions that were once considered unimaginable and unprecedented. We have broken free from the shackles of decades past and progressed across every sector. Today, the country has emerged from despair and is now hoisting the Tricolour high with renewed confidence and hope.

Friends,

Today, we—140 crore Indians—are working with determination to transform Bharat into a developed nation. It is imperative that whatever is needed for the country’s progress must be produced within Bharat. This is the need of the hour. Bharat is swiftly advancing in the realm of manufacturing. Whether it is about producing essential goods for domestic use or exporting Indian-made products to countries across the world, we are witnessing continuous growth. Today, Bharat is exporting a wide range of products—from smartphones and cars to toys, military equipment, and medicines—to numerous countries. Moreover, Bharat is now manufacturing railways, metro systems, and the advanced technology they require, and is exporting these as well. Dahod stands as a living testament to this progress.

Just a short while ago, we laid the foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth several thousand crore rupees here. Among these, the most significant is the electric locomotive factory in Dahod. I came here three years ago to lay its foundation stone. Some individuals, out of habit, indulge in criticism. They said that Modi laid the foundation stone merely for electoral gain and that nothing would come of it. Yet, today, after three years, we can all see that the first electric locomotive has been successfully manufactured in this very factory. I had the honour of flagging it off just a short while ago. This is a moment of pride—not just for Gujarat but for the entire nation.

Today, Gujarat has achieved another significant milestone—the complete electrification of its rail network. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all my brothers and sisters of Gujarat for this achievement.

Friends,

First and foremost, I must express my gratitude to the people here who organised this programme, bringing me once again amidst you all. I had the opportunity to meet many elderly citizens, many familiar faces, and to relive countless cherished memories. My association with Dahod did not begin with my entry into politics. It goes back almost 70 years. I have had the privilege of working closely with two to three generations here. Today, I visited Parel after 20 long years. The entire area has transformed. Earlier, whenever I used to visit, I would try to ride a bicycle to Parel by sunset. If it happened to rain and the surroundings turned lush with greenery, I would joyfully cycle along narrow paths winding through the small hills. Such evenings brought me immense happiness. After that, I would dine at the homes of brothers working in the railways in Parel. My bond with them was that close. Seeing the glory of Parel today brings me immense joy.

Friends,

We have strived to resolve every issue here and have taken several significant steps. I proudly say that the dreams I once envisioned for Dahod are now being realised before my very eyes. With full confidence, I assert that if anyone wishes to see a model of how a tribal-dominated district can be developed in Bharat, they must visit Dahod. The idea of building a smart city in a tribal district once surprised many. However, over the past 10–11 years, we have witnessed how swiftly our railways have transformed. The direction of railway development has changed, its speed has increased, and metro services are rapidly expanding. Previously, semi-high-speed railways were not even part of Bharat's vocabulary. Today, this very concept is becoming a reality at an accelerated pace. Presently, Vande Bharat trains are operating on nearly 70 routes across the country. And today, from Dahod, the Vande Bharat Express has been launched between Ahmedabad and Veraval, at the sacred feet of Somnath Dada. Earlier, our brothers from Dahod often wished to travel to Ujjain, which is nearby. Now, the doors to Somnath have also been opened to you.

Friends,

Today, countless modern trains are running across Bharat, and a major reason for this transformation is our country’s youth—our new generation—who are now developing cutting-edge technology within Bharat. Coaches are being manufactured in Bharat, locomotives are being produced here; whereas in the past, we had to import all these from abroad. Now, the investment is ours, the effort is ours, and the achievements are ours as well. Bharat is fast becoming a major global exporter of railway-related equipment. You will be pleased to know that if you travel to Australia, the coaches used in their metro systems are made in Gujarat. Visit England, Saudi Arabia, or France, and you will find that coaches for many modern trains operating in those countries are being made right here in Bharat. In Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Italy, various small and large railway components are being produced in Bharat. 

Our small-scale industrialists—those running the MSMEs and cottage industries are doing exceptional work. They are manufacturing intricate parts with precision and exporting them to the global market. Indian passenger coaches are now being used in countries such as Mozambique and Sri Lanka. Bharat is also exporting Made in India locomotives and engines to numerous countries. This ‘Made in India’ brand is expanding, and because of it, Bharat can proudly hold its head high before the world.

Now, my brothers and sisters of Dahod, tell me—now that Indian-made goods are gaining global recognition—should we continue using foreign-made products at home? Answer loudly—should we, or shouldn’t we? Tell me by waving the Tricolour—should we support Indian-made goods or not? Look at yourselves—you are sitting under the shade of the Tricolour and proclaiming: why should we not use products made in our own country? So, when Ganesh Chaturthi arrives, should we bring home Ganpati idols with foreign features and small eyes? Why not bring home idols made in our own country, Bharat? During Holi and Diwali, should we be using firecrackers and pichkaris imported from abroad? Should we not opt for Indian products instead? Should Indians earn from Indian-made products or not? If Bharat is to progress, shouldn't every Indian take this as a personal resolution?

Friends,

When the railway sector is strong, it leads to enhanced facilities, which in turn benefits industries, agriculture, students, and provides significant relief to our sisters. Over the last decade, railways have reached many areas for the very first time. Even within Gujarat, there were many places where only small trains operated—and even those ran extremely slowly. Take the Dabhoi region, for example. The trains there were so slow that one could hop off midway and get back on again while it was still moving! Many such narrow-gauge routes have now been converted to broad-gauge. The narrow-gauge railway in Dabhoi has now been upgraded.

Today, several railway routes have been inaugurated here. An express train has now commenced operations between Dahod and Valsad. My brothers from Dahod are present in every corner of Gujarat. Visit any small town in the state, and you are sure to find someone from Dahod. Now that this new railway network is being built, Dahod will soon be connected by a 100-kilometre network. The greatest beneficiaries of this development will be our tribal children.

Friends,

Wherever a factory is established, an entire ecosystem begins to flourish around it. Ancillary factories spring up to produce smaller components, and these in turn generate employment. I am working to ensure our youth receive ample employment opportunities. The rail factory in Dahod will become one of the premier manufacturing units in the world—not just for Bharat, but a landmark for Bharat. Friends, this is no ordinary factory. Let me remind you—everything there had nearly vanished. The place had been locked up, abandoned, and left behind. I have seen Parel of Dahod wither before my eyes. And now, I am witnessing it come alive again—magnificent and thriving. This transformation is due to your love and blessings. Today, if someone asks where Bharat's 9,000 horsepower locomotive is built, the answer will be: Dahod. The locomotives being manufactured here are proudly Made in India. These will not only enhance the strength and capability of our railways, but the tyres made here will also gain fame across the world and Dahod’s name will shine globally. In the coming years, hundreds of locomotives will be produced here. Very soon, a time will come when a new locomotive will roll out every two days. Imagine the scale of this achievement—one locomotive every two days! Such a massive operation will create extensive employment opportunities for our local brothers and sisters, and for our youth. This factory will also lead to the growth of a vast network of spare parts manufacturing units and small-scale industries in the surrounding areas.

While employment will certainly be generated directly in the factory, these supporting industries will also produce countless new jobs. Whether it is our farmer brothers and sisters, our cattle rearers, small shopkeepers, labourers—men or women—every segment of society will benefit immensely from this development.

Friends,

Today, Gujarat has achieved remarkable progress in sectors such as education, information technology, semiconductors, and tourism. Name any field, and you will see the Tricolour of Gujarat flying high. Investments worth thousands of crores are leading to the construction of semiconductor plants in Gujarat, and as a result of all these efforts, new employment opportunities are being created for lakhs of young people across the state.

Friends,

There was a time when various small and large projects were underway in Vadodara. I recall the day I bifurcated Panchmahal district and created Dahod as a separate district. It was clear in my mind that this decision would lead to the development of both Panchmahal and Dahod independently. Today, when I witness that development before my very eyes, the joy I feel in repaying the debt I owe to this land is immense. Friends, I feel deeply gratified—for I have partaken of your salt, and no matter how much I do for you, it will never be enough. Just look around—today, we see a network of small-scale industries, a complete web of them, producing not ordinary but highly advanced and high-tech products. And this entire growth is being driven by my tribal brothers and sisters.

If you travel from Vadodara to Dahod, and on to Madhya Pradesh, you will see that aircraft manufacturing is now progressing at a rapid pace in Vadodara. Only a few months ago, the Airbus Assembly Line was inaugurated there. The country’s first Gati Shakti University was also established in Vadodara. A major factory for manufacturing railway coaches and cars has been set up in Savli, powered by foreign investment, and today it is soaring to global heights. India’s most powerful rail engine—a 9,000-horsepower locomotive—is being manufactured right here in Dahod. Numerous industries and manufacturing units in Godhra, Kalol, and Halol are emerging as major driving forces behind industrial development. A wave of progress is sweeping across Gujarat.

And friends,

I eagerly look forward to the day when Gujarat will manufacture everything—from bicycles and motorcycles to railway engines and aeroplanes—and all of it will be built by the youth of Gujarat, on the soil of Gujarat. Such a high-tech engineering and manufacturing corridor is a rare phenomenon in the world. An exceptional industrial network is being established, stretching from Vadodara to Dahod, Halol, Kalol, and Godhra.

Friends,

For the creation of a developed Bharat, the development of tribal regions is equally vital. When I served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I had the opportunity to serve my tribal brothers and sisters in the eastern belt of the state, dedicating myself fully to their welfare. Later, while working with the central government, I continued these efforts. Over the past eleven years, I have devoted myself to the unprecedented development of tribal communities. I have had the privilege of working extensively in Gujarat’s tribal regions for a long period—nearly seven decades—and I have listened to countless experiences shared by tribal brothers and sisters. There was a time when, across the entire tribal belt from Umargam to Ambaji, there was not a single science school for Class 12. I have witnessed such times. But today, in that very region—from Umargam to Ambaji—there are numerous colleges, ITIs, medical colleges, and even two tribal universities actively operating in tribal areas. In the past eleven years, the network of Eklavya Model Residential Schools has also expanded significantly. Several such schools have been established in Dahod as well.

Friends,

Today, extensive and focused efforts are being made nationwide for the upliftment of tribal communities. For the first time in the history of independent Bharat, several new schemes have been launched to accelerate the development of tribal villages. You may have noticed in the recent Budget that we have launched the ‘Dharti Aaba’ initiative for tribal village development—Birsa Munda is revered as Dharti Aaba.

Under this banner, we have begun the Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, through which the Central Government is investing nearly Rs 80,000 crore. This initiative is supporting development work in more than 60,000 villages across the country, including those in Gujarat. Efforts are underway to provide the most modern amenities to my tribal brothers and sisters—whether it is electricity, clean drinking water, roads, schools, or hospitals. Solid, concrete homes are now being built throughout the country.

Friends,

Modi rever those whom the world often neglects. Many communities among the tribal population had long been left behind—but we have ensured they are not forgotten. For them, the government has introduced the PM Janman Yojana. Under this scheme, we are working to deliver essential services—such as housing, education, and employment opportunities—to the most marginalised tribal families.

Brothers and Sisters,

We in Gujarat have long been aware of the challenges posed by sickle cell disease. I have been pursuing efforts to combat this illness since my time in Gujarat, and today we are addressing it on a nationwide scale. We are operating in mission mode to free my tribal brothers and sisters from the grip of sickle cell disease. As part of this mission, lakhs of tribal people are currently being screened.

Our government is striving to accelerate the development of those regions which have historically lagged behind. Unfortunately, the 100 most backward districts in the country were previously abandoned to their fate. These areas were neglected—no capable officers wished to serve there, teachers were unavailable in schools, houses were absent, and roads were non-existent. That scenario has now changed, and many tribal districts were among those affected. There was a time when Dahod district too was counted among them. But now, Dahod district and Dahod city are undergoing transformation as part of the Smart City initiative. Dahod is advancing with a vision for the future. It has also earned recognition in the world of Aspirational Districts. Dahod city is being rejuvenated, and modern smart facilities are being developed here.

Friends,

The problem of water scarcity in many parts of South Gujarat, including Dahod, has persisted for generations. Today, extensive work is underway to lay pipelines stretching hundreds of kilometres to supply water. Efforts are being made to ensure that Narmada water reaches every household. In the past year alone, we have managed to irrigate 11 lakh acres of land from Umargam to Ambaji. This has significantly benefited our farmers, enabling them to grow up to three crops annually.

Brothers and Sisters,

Before arriving here, I was in Vadodara, where thousands of mothers and sisters had gathered. They had come together to express their gratitude to our armed forces, and they entrusted me with the honour of being the medium for their noble gesture. I bow respectfully to this embodiment of motherly strength. Here in Dahod as well, all of you—our mothers and sisters—have extended your blessings for Operation Sindoor by holding the tricolour in your hands. This land of Dahod is a land of penance and sacrifice. It is said that it was on the banks of the Dudhimati River where Maharishi Dadhichi offered his body in sacrifice for the protection of the universe.

This very soil once stood by the revolutionary Tatya Tope in his hour of need. Not far from here lies Mangarh Dham—a sacred site that symbolises the valour and sacrifice of hundreds of tribal warriors led by Govind Guru.This region, therefore, reflects our age-old tradition of selfless sacrifice in the service of Bharat Mata and humanity. When such values reside in the hearts of Indians, then tell me—can Bharat remain silent in the face of what the terrorists did in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir? Can Modi remain silent?

When someone dares to wipe the Sindoor (vermilion) from the foreheads of our sisters, their own annihilation becomes inevitable. Therefore, Operation Sindoor is not merely a military action—it is a reflection of Indian values and emotions. The terrorists could never have imagined, even in their wildest dreams, how formidable it would be to confront Modi. Keep waving the tricolour high and think about the honour it represents. A father was shot in front of his children—when I see those images even today, my blood boils. The terrorists had challenged 140 crore Indians. As the Pradhan Sevak—an office entrusted to me by all of you—I fulfilled my duty. I gave our three armed forces a free hand. What our brave soldiers achieved has not been witnessed by the world in several decades. We identified nine major terrorist hideouts operating across the border, confirmed their exact locations, and on the night of the 6th, within just 22 minutes, we eliminated them all in retaliation for their misdeeds on the 22nd.

When the Pakistani army, shaken by Bharat's response, attempted to act out of desperation, our forces vanquished them as well. I have been informed that many of our retired military personnel are present here in large numbers. I salute them too. From this sacred land of Dahod, I once again pay homage to the valour of our nation's armed forces.

Friends,

The country that emerged after the Partition harbours only one objective—hostility towards Bharat, hatred for Bharat, and a relentless desire to harm Bharat. On the other hand, Bharat's objective is to eradicate poverty, to strengthen its economy, and to establish itself as a developed nation. A developed Bharat can only be realised when our armed forces are strong and our economy is robust. We are continuously working with determination in this direction.

Friends,

Dahod holds immense potential. Today’s programme is merely a glimpse of what lies ahead. I have complete faith in all my hardworking friends and in the people of this nation. I urge you to make the fullest use of these new facilities and transform Dahod into one of the most developed districts in the country. With this conviction, I once again extend my congratulations to all of you. Now, I invite everyone to rise and raise the tricolour in honour of Operation Sindoor. Let us all stand together and raise the tricolour, and say with me:

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

The chant of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' must continue to resonate loudly.

Disclaimer: Most of the Prime Minister's speech is in Gujarati language, which has been translated here.

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MJPS/VJ/IG