New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Bengaluru represents the 'Start-up' spirit of India which has placed the nation in a separate league altogether in the world.
"Bengaluru represents the 'Start-up' spirit, which has placed India in a separate league altogether in the world. Across the world, India is known for its start-ups. Karnataka is also getting benefitted from the investment happening in the country," PM Modi said while addressing a gathering in Bengaluru.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport at Karnataka's Bengaluru, built at a cost of around Rs. 5000 crores. He also flagged off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR railway station. This is the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India.
Speaking about the same, PM Modi said, "Connectivity will play a crucial role in India's development. Creating air connectivity and new airports is the need of the hour. The new terminal at Bengaluru airport will increase facilities. To achieve growth, we need to develop physical and social infrastructure."
"'Vande Bharat Express' is not just a train, it is the new identity of the new India. It shows how Indian railways will be in the 21st century. 'Vande Bharat Express' is a symbol that India has now left the days of stagnated growth behind, India wants to progress faster and is now making all efforts for the same," PM Modi remarked.
He also highlighted that Karnataka is at the forefront of electric vehicle manufacturing and further stressed, the state is progressing with the strength of "double engine", in a popular reference to the BJP government in the state and Centre.
World is admiring the strides India has made in the digital payments system, PM Modi emphasised.
Ahead of the speech, the Prime Minister unveiled 108 metre-long bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda.
The bronze statue was built to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru city. Conceptualised and sculpted by Ram V Sutar of Statue of Unity fame, 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel have gone into making this statue, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) informed.
PM Modi's Visit To Four Southern States
PM Modi is on a visit to four southern states, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana on Friday and Saturday. After his various programmes in Karnataka, the Prime Minister will attend the 36th Convocation Ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu at around 3:30 PM.
On Saturday, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh at around 10:30 AM. He will also visit the RFCL plant in Ramagundam, Telangana at 3:30 PM. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects at Ramagundam at around 4:15 PM.