Stop psychological analyses of rapes: Modi to politicians

"The last few events, in Pune, UP and the drowning of our young students,made us all feel upset. I appeal to political leaders to at least stop psychological analyses of rapes. We should not play with the dignity of our mothers and sisters," Modi said while addressing the Lok Sabha which debated on President Pranab Mukherjee's address to a joint session on his government's agenda.

He said the government needs  to be involved in protection of women.

The PM said respect and security for women should be a priority for Indian citizens.

At the beginning of his speech, Modi said, "This House has several  experienced representatives of the people present today. When a new person like me is saying something, please forgive my inexperience,"

He said several MPs have made statements about the President's speech and raised question over his promises.

"The question has been raised in the House is that I have promised a lot and how I am going to deliver? This is a legitimate question because the promises are not delivered yet. Doubts are valid. But we will leave no stone unturned to fulfill our goals," the PM said.

He said, "The President's speech was a sanctity for us. When I became the Gujarat CM for the first time, questions were raised about my promise to deliver electricity in the state. But I delivered."

"The President's speech inspires us to work together in future and to keep our objectives in mind," Modi asserted.

Modi said the MPs are the representatives of people's hope and aspirations.

Modi said, "The President has appreciated the results of these elections. I too congratulate the people for giving a mandate in favour of stability, good governance and progress."

He said India is known as a large democracy but it is time to show the world the real strength of democracy.

"India is known as a large democratic country. But isn't it time that the world knew our true strengths as a democracy? It is time to let the world know how big our democracy is," Modi said.

"Sometimes we are influenced by the colour of people's skin. It is time to stare at the world with pride in ourselves," he added.

The Prime Minister, who started his life as a tea seller, said should the government be only for the 'educated people'.

He said the rich can get their child educated anyhow, it is the poor who needs help.

"The government is for the poor," Modi claimed.

He said India often boasts of being an agrarian country but "have we been successful in transforming the lives of the rural India?"

"It is our responsibility to changes the lives of farmers and villagers. How can we do it? To create facilities like that of a city while the soul will be that of a village. They should be provided with modern facilities so that villages can contribute to the country's progress through electricity and broadband connection," Modi said.

"Children in remote villages can be taught through distance education, through satellites. Then no one would want to leave his village. We should therefore encourage agro-based industries," he added.

Modi cited example of the Sikkim government and its work in organic food and farming.

" Organic farming can change the lives of farmers in Northeast drastically. Gujarat had experimented with the Soil Health Card which shows the health of the farmer's land. This will be very helpful at a national level," he said.

He said agriculture university students who go on vacation can do soil testing research in their home villages. It can become a national revolution.

"Distribution by rail is not scientific, perishable goods are not given priority. Real-time data about agro products has not been created. This should be done. The poor should get food to eat at night. It is our joint responsibility whether in power or not, " Modi said.

"Real-time agro data will show where to send what kind of produce. Procurement, reservation and distribution can be modernised and streamlined. Can our agri universities and farmers not be advanced? Can technology not be improved? Soil productivity needs to be improved," he added.

Modi said people needs to understand the power of youths in India.

"We need to understand this power. The world will need skilled manpower. China is getting older, we are getting younger," he said.

He said it is time to change the perception of 'scam India' to 'skill India'.

"The image of 'scam India' needs to change to 'skill India'. We need to develop entrepreneurship and job skills," he said.

Reaching out to Dalits and minorities, Modi said, "Whether it is Dalit, tribal, poor or marginalised, no change has occurred to their lives. We need to bring them into the mainstream. Muslims remain where they were. We need to focus activities on them and change their lives. If a limb is disabled, the whole body is disabled."

Speaking of the Mahabharata instances in the Parliament, he said, "Duryodhana once said he knew what truth was, but it wasn't in his nature to follow truth and dharma."

" Mahabharata is over, but the people have never wanted Pandavas to lose. Victory teaches us a lot, including humility. I assure this House that we will never become arrogant. Regardless of our numbers, I do not want to move ahead without all of you. Not numbers, we want consensus," he said.

Praising the state governments, he said, "I welcome that the talk of development has started in the country, when people say Tamil Nadu is better than Gujarat. I want competition between states about progress. I want to hear that states have left Gujarat behind. Tamil Nadu's rain harvesting model is admirable, for instance. So is Chhattisgarh and West Bengal's development efforts on certain fronts."

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed motion expressing thanks to the President for his speech beforing adjourning.