Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first trip of the year to south Indian states of Tamil Nadu , Lakshadweep and Kerala. During his trip he toured these states and inaugurated multiple development projects. This trip marks the start of the BJP’s “Mission South” campaign in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. However, there’s more to it than what meets the eye.
PM In Tamil Nadu-
He began his tour by making his first stop at Bharatidasan University in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli, where he interacted with the students. He told them that the next 25 years are going to be the most important for our country and motivated them to participate in the development process. During his visit he inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, worth Rs 1100 crore which will boost connectivity and tourism. It will be Tamil Nadu’s second largest terminal in terms of international traffic.
He also inaugurated 16 other developmental projects pertaining to ports, energy, rail, road, aviation, and natural gas pipeline, amounting to Rs 20,000 crore. The Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing plant was opened at Kalpakkam. In addition, he laid the foundation stone for significant road development projects. Among these is the building of a 31-kilometer, four-lane section of NH 332A from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam. This will improve access to the Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant, link ports on Tamil Nadu’s east coast, and improve road connectivity to Mamallapuram, a World Heritage Site.
Among many projects, he inaugurated the General Cargo Berth-II at Kamarajar Port. It will not only strengthen our trade but will help boost economic growth and employment opportunities.
This recent visit of Modi along with his various development projects indicate his vision of next 20-25 years. In which he aims of taking Tamil Nadu to a stage of development wherein it dominates trade in Southeast Asia.
PM In Lakshadweep-
Lakshadweep is the nation’s smallest Union Territory (UT), an archipelago of 36 islands covering 32 square kilometers. It may seem like speck but for a national leader like Narendra Modi who transcends the North-South discourse and reinforces his government’s message of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” in an almost entirely Muslim territory. Its of strategic importance.
Lakshadweep is of strategic importance for Modi as-
- India receives 4,00,000 sq. km of EEZ and 20,000 sq. km of territorial waters from Lakshadweep. The lagoons in and around Lakshadweep are of great economic significance as they are rich source of minerals and fishery.
- Strategic location- Due to their close proximity to Middle East , India’s western coast and other island nations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka. These islands are crucial for maintaining the security of India’s maritime lanes of communication and trade. In the light of increased Chinese engagement in Sri Lanka and Maldives, Lakshadweep is of vital strategic significance.
However, post independence it largely remained ignored and lacked infrastructure. Modi visited Lakshadweep and inaugurated development projects of approximately Rs 1150 crore. While making his speech in Kavaratti, he compared the attitude and the initiatives of his government to those of his predecessors. He stated that after independence, the then government’s sole focus was to stay in power. Far off states, areas near borders, or areas in the middle of the ocean received no attention at all. He emphasized the contrasting attitudes and affirmed his government’s consistent focus on border and coastal regions over the last decade.
He fulfilled his promise made in 2020 by inaugurating the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI – SOFC) project. Lakshadweep will now have access to internet at 100 times higher speed (from 1.7 Gbps to 200 Gbps). Submarine Optic Fiber Cable will link Lakshadweep for the first time since independence. The island’s communication infrastructure will undergo a paradigm shift thanks to the dedicated submarine OFC.
It will enable telemedicine, e-governance, digital banking, digital currency usage, digital literacy, and faster and more dependable internet services.
Then to solve the problem of potable drinking water he announced the establishment of Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat. It will produce 1.5 Liters of clean drinking water everyday. Additionally he announced Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in every home and a solar plant at Kavaratti. Establishment of Airforce Station is also on cards considering its strategic importance. These initiatives will increase tourism and job opportunities.
Moreover by visiting Lakshadweep, Prime Minister has highlighted the important role it plays in ensuring maritime security and free maritime movement in the Indian ocean.
PM In Kerela-
Though BJP has not yet been able to make a significant electoral impact in Kerala. Yet it never abandoned it. From digital parks and rail projects to various welfare schemes like Antyodaya Yojana and Awas Yojana. It has been taking steps to boost its socio-economic conditions. Moreover, it is committed to gaining the support of one of the nation’s final holdouts in the party. Not only is Kerala of strategic and economic significance. It is the closest territory to Lakshadweep upon which the UT depends for the majority of its requirements. The majority language spoken on the islands is Malayalam, and there are strong social and cultural ties between the inhabitants of the two territories.
Prime Minister Modi addressed a mass gathering of 2 lakh women in Thrissur. In the event titled ‘Sthree Shakthi Modikk Oppam (Empower Women with Modi). He interacted with women from various walks of life like ASHA workers, Anganwadi, MGNREGA workers, entrepreneurs, and social activists. He paid tribute to Savitri Bai Phule and emphasised the role women of Kerala have played in our freedom struggle. Women empowerment has always been Modi’s priority. He emphasised the 10 crore Ujwala gas connections, 11 crore pipeline water connections, 12 crore toilets, Rs 1 Suvidha sanitary pads, financial inclusion for 1 lakh Kerala women, and girls’ admission to Sainik schools. Through his speech he aimed to motivate the women to get them involved in the development process.
Moreover, Kerala wherein politics has largely been leftist oriented. We now see a movement wherein Christians, Hindu and Women are moving towards BJP. It could be a positive development as it would lead to deradicalisation.
Final Thoughts-
Considering Modi’s past record and trajectory. Politics shouldn’t be the only perspective when analyzing Modi’s visit. Yes elections are around the corner but is it just a political gimmick!? I doubt that because if it was only about wining in elections then he could have inaugurated these projects virtually and could have opted for just a roadshow. However, the Prime Minister made the decision to travel to Kavaratti because he firmly believes that it is critical to involve the locals in India’s development process. Be it interacting with locals, women and students or establishing Sengol in Parliament as a symbol of Amrit Kal. The focus of Modi has always been on development and unifying the country in a common fabric.