Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the crowd at Madhubani, in Bihar on April 24, 2025.
Madhubani: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today vowed to pursue and punish terrorists responsible for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, declaring that India’s 140 crore citizens would break the backbone of terrorism.
Speaking at a public event in Madhubani, Bihar, on National Panchayati Raj Day, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 13,480 crore, aimed at boosting infrastructure, rural economy, and connectivity in the state.
Modi announced that terrorists, their handlers, and backers would face severe consequences, with India committed to tracking them globally. He termed the Pahalgam attack, which targeted Hindu tourists based on religious identity, an assault on India’s soul, noting victims hailed from diverse regions, including Bihar, Bengal, and Gujarat. The Prime Minister assured support for affected families and speedy recovery for the injured, stating that global leaders had expressed solidarity with India.
The Madhibani event marked the launch of projects in electricity, railways, and rural infrastructure, expected to generate employment in Bihar. Modi highlighted the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and reduced diplomatic presence as measures to pressure Pakistan, which he accused of perpetrating terrorism. He paid tribute to poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on his death anniversary and led a moment of silence for the Pahalgam victims.
Modi emphasised the strengthening of Panchayati Raj over the past decade, noting that over 2 lakh Gram Panchayats now have internet access and 5.5 lakh Common Service Centres operate in villages. He said Rs 2 lakh crore had been allocated to Panchayats, with 30,000 new Panchayat Bhawans constructed. Digitisation of land records was underway to resolve disputes, he added.
The Prime Minister praised Bihar’s 50% reservation for women in Panchayats, describing it as true social justice, and noted the recent 33% women’s reservation law for legislatures. He highlighted the Jeevika Didi programme, which has empowered women through Rs 1,000 crore in financial aid, and the goal of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. Modi said the rural economy had gained momentum, with 4 crore houses built under PM Awas Yojana, including 57 lakh in Bihar, and 3 crore more planned.
Infrastructure development was a key focus, with Modi citing 12 crore rural tap water connections, 2.5 crore electrified households, and gas cylinder distribution. Bihar’s healthcare advancements included over 800 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, saving Rs 2,000 crore, and 10,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Railway projects included the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Patna and Jaynagar, the Amrit Bharat train from Saharsa to Mumbai, and new rail lines in Supaul and Khagaria.
Modi underscored Makhana’s global recognition as a superfood, with a GI tag and national research centre status, and announced a Makhana Board to boost farmers’ incomes. Flood mitigation projects worth Rs 11,000 crore were launched for rivers like Kosi and Bagmati, alongside canals for irrigation. Fisheries development under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana and Kisan Credit Cards for fishermen were also highlighted.
The Prime Minister distributed Rs 930 crore to over 2 lakh self-help groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, sanctioned letters to 15 lakh PM Awas Yojana-Gramin beneficiaries, and keys for 1 lakh rural and 54,000 urban houses in Bihar. He presented National Panchayat Awards and flagged off trains, including the Supaul Pipra rail line. An LPG bottling plant in Gopalganj and power projects worth over Rs 6,200 crore were also launched.
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Union Ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chirag Paswan were among those who attended the Madhubani event.
– global bihari bureau
