'Hindu Rate Of Growth' Was A Way Of Maligning Faith: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the 23rd edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, criticised the linking of the Hindu faith with India's rate of growth.

"There is an attempt to malign the Hindu way of life by terming India's slow growth a few decades ago as the Hindu rate of growth," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi said that when the world is fragmented, India stands as a bridge builder. 

"We are at a juncture, where 1/4th of the 21st century has passed, and the world has seen many ups and downs - financial crisis, global pandemic, etc. These situations in some way or the other challenged the world... today the world is full of uncertainties, but amid this, our India is appearing in a different league. India is full of self-confidence," said PM Modi.  "When the world talks about slowdown, India writes stories of growth. When the world faces trust crisis, India becomes a pillar of trust."

The Prime Minister also took a jibe at the previous government and stated that the earlier systems "did not have faith in their own citizens".

"Our government broke that way of working. A citizen's self-attested document is enough to prove its authenticity," PM Modi said. 

The Prime Minister said that a government's "biggest aspect" is the trust the citizenry puts in it. 

"We have to make the country rid of the colonial mindset from every corner. I want to take the citizens forward with the vision for the next 10 years," the PM said. 

The PM announced that self-attestation would now suffice for many official processes, a move designed to cut red tape and empower citizens.

The reforms, he said, were part of the Jan Vishwas Bill Provisions, which also include the decriminalisation of minor compliances to ease the burden on ordinary people.

PM Modi emphasised the transformative impact of guarantee-free loans, noting that Rs 37 lakh crore has already been disbursed to small vendors, hawkers, and economically weaker sections

"Even those demanding just Rs 1,000 are receiving loans without guarantees. This is governance that trusts its people," he declared, underlining the administration's focus on financial inclusion.

Turning to the issue of unclaimed funds, the Prime Minister revealed startling figures -- Rs 78,000 crore lying idle in banks, Rs 14,000 crore with insurance companies, Rs 3,000 crore in mutual funds, and Rs 9,000 crore in dividends.

He said the government has launched special district-level camps to help citizens reclaim their rightful earnings, with thousands of crores already returned.

"This is Modi searching for people to claim their hard-earned money," the Prime Minister remarked, stressing that restoring public faith is the government's greatest capital.

In a deeply personal appeal, PM Modi urged citizens to shed what he described as "Macaulay's slavery mindset" by 2035, setting a ten-year target to overcome colonial legacies.

Folding his hands, the Prime Minister said: "I cannot do this without the support of the people of this country. We must not follow the footprints of others -- we have to make our line bigger. Against all odds, we must march ahead."