Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India’s youth would not be swayed by “Jhooth Ki Goonj” (chorus of falsehoods) but would always walk with “Sach Ki Hunkaar” (the resounding call of truth), in an apparent swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” youth outreach campaign.The youth-centric ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ programme, held at the Pavilion Ground of Maharaja Sayajirao University here, had the trappings of a rock concert, with “We Will Rock You” and “Aari Aari” from Dhurandhar playing as Modi made his way through the packed audience on a Y-shaped ramp.Addressing the programme, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore, Modi also targeted the opposition and critics of his govt’s development initiatives, referring to them as “Naraz Fufaji” (perennially disgruntled relative).“At every turn, you will find people trying to mislead the country with their ‘Jhooth Ki Goonj’. But India’s youth has unwavering faith in the ‘Sach Ki Hunkaar’. They will strive for truth,” Modi said.The PM dedicated final sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), marking the completion of India’s 2,843-km dedicated freight rail network comprising the Eastern and Western corridors.Modi said Dedicated Freight Corridor was conceived in 2004 but remained delayed for years.“The files only kept shuffling for years. Even seven to eight years after it was conceived, not a single km of the DFC had been completed. Had the country been run according to their thinking, even three or four generations after you would not have seen its completion,” he said without naming Congress.He said his govt had expedited the project after coming to power in 2014.Modi said more than 430 freight trains were now operating daily on the two corridors and described their completion as a “historic achievement for the 21st century” and the “main backbone” of India’s trade and business.He said double-stack container trains running between JNPT and Vadodara could carry cargo equivalent to around 250 trucks in a single trip.“But the ‘Naraz Fufaji’ will raise a clamour again. They will ask what will happen to truck drivers and vehicle owners. They will get something to whine about,” Modi said.He also contrasted his govt’s infrastructure record with that of the previous regime, saying 50,000 modern rail coaches had been built since 2014, while the previous govt could not build even 50,000 toilets in 10 years.Modi said the freight corridors had reduced travel time, fuel consumption and transportation costs. A journey of 100 km that earlier took a freight train 6.5 hours could now be completed in less than half the time, while a 30-hour truck journey could be reduced to 10-12 hours, he said.PM also urged youngsters to develop expertise in artificial intelligence, saying India was building the ecosystem required to emerge as a global technology power.He said the country was expanding its manufacturing capabilities from “chips to ships”, with infrastructure development and new supply chains generating employment opportunities.The event’s presentation was also tailored to a young, smartphone-driven audience. Giant screens, multimedia projections, elaborate lighting and 4K cameras were used throughout the programme.Modi entered through a Y-shaped ramp extending into the audience, waving to people on both sides as thousands raised their mobile phones and chanted “Modi, Modi”. The announcer introduced him as the “OG trendsetter”, saying “whose one video can change algorithms of social media”.A popular YouTuber handled part of the narration, while cultural performances featured children and youngsters. Many in the audience recorded the proceedings on their phones and held up placards carrying messages such as “Mitron”, “Modiji Aapka Aura Hi Alag Hai”, “Modiji smile please, motivation mil jayega” and “Modiji, aapka vision dekh ke, sapne chhotte rakhna mushkil hai”.The presentation and Modi’s repeated references to technology, artificial intelligence, employment and the aspirations of young people appeared aimed at connecting govt’s development narrative with a younger audience.
