“People of India have wholeheartedly supported and blessed our government’s efforts to serve the country over the past 10 years,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday as he replied to the motion of thanks on the president’s address.

Addressing the House, the PM thanked the president for the inspirational and encouraging address. Around 70 members presented their views on the president’s address and the PM thanked the members.

Reflecting on the democratic journey of the country, he said that after 60 years, the electorates of India have brought back a government for the third consecutive time, terming it a historic feat. While condemning the opposition’s move to undermine the electorates’ decision, Modi said that in the past few days, he has observed that the same lot has accepted its defeat and their victory with a heavy heart.

The PM expressed confidence that the present government has only completed one-third of its rule, i.e., 10 years and that two-thirds or 20 years remains. “The people of India have wholeheartedly supported and blessed our government’s efforts to serve the country over the past 10 years.” He expressed pride in the judgement shown by the citizens who have defeated propaganda, prioritized performance, rejected the politics of illusions and put a seal of victory on the politics of trust.

Noting that India is entering the 75th year of the Constitution, the Prime Minister said that it is a special stage as the Parliament of India is also completing 75 years, making it a delightful coincidence. Modi heaped praise on the Constitution of India handed down by Baba Saheb Ambedkar and said those who never had a family member associated with the political spectrum in India are getting the opportunity to serve the country due to the rights enshrined in it.

“It is the Constitution given by Baba Saheb Ambedkar which has allowed people like me, who have zero political lineage, to enter politics and reach such a stage”, he said. He further added that now that the people have put their stamp of approval, the government is here for the third consecutive time. The PM underlined that the Constitution of India is not just a compilation of articles but its spirit and imprint are extremely valuable.

Hailing the electorate, the PM said that the people of India have voted his government to power thrice to achieve the goals of development and reliance through ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’. Shri Modi further hailed this electoral win as not merely a stamp of approval by the citizens on the decisions taken by his government over the last 10 years, but also as a mandate to fulfill their future dreams and aspirations. “People of this country have entrusted us with the opportunity to bring their future resolutions to fruition,” he added.

The PM reminded that the country has seen the Indian economy rise from tenth to the fifth largest economy in the last ten years despite challenges like global disturbances and the pandemic. “This mandate is to take the economy to third place from the present fifth place”, The Prime Minister added, expressing confidence to fulfill this mandate.

Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to increase the speed and scope of development that has taken place in the last 10 years. In the next 5 years, the Prime Minister assured the House that the government would work towards saturation of basic necessities of the people. “We want to transform this era into an era of saturation of basic necessities with the help of good governance”, PM Modi exclaimed. He highlighted that the next 5 years are crucial for the fight against poverty and expressed the belief in the collective capabilities of the poor to take a stand against poverty and overcome it based on the experiences of the last 10 years.

Continuing his speech after the walkout of the opposition, the Prime Minister sympathised with the chairman of the house and said, “I am duty bound to be a servant of the people. I am accountable to people for every minute of my time.” He also criticised the opposition for disrespecting the traditions of the House.