Take the India story to the world, PM Modi tells media

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the media to spotlight India's achievements on the global stage, describing them as the 'India Story' and calling for greater coverage of the country's talent, technological progress and positive transformations.

Addressing a Diwali gathering for journalists at the BJP headquarters, Modi said India had several significant achievements to share with the world and that the media could play an important role in taking these stories to a wider audience.

Drawing a parallel between journalistic deadlines and the country's development ambitions, the Prime Minister said India was working towards a deadline of 2047, when the country will complete 100 years of independence.

"Today, our country is also working toward a deadline. That deadline is, the year 2047. The dream of making our country developed has been with us since independence. But now this dream has a set date, 2047. That means we must work together to make India a developed nation before we complete 100 years of independence," he said.

Modi highlighted India's young population, talent, technology and affordable data, saying the country had a wealth of achievements that deserved greater visibility.

"We have the 'India Story'. We must consider whether our news truly reflects India, are our achievements, talent, and positive transformations receiving adequate space. There is no shortage of such stories in India," he said.

Citing poverty reduction as one of the government's achievements, Modi said, "There were slogans of 'Garibi Hatao'. But poverty has been removed by this government. According to the World Bank, 50 crore people have been elevated from the below poverty line in the last 12 years."

The Prime Minister also pointed to India's milestones in space exploration, manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy and entrepreneurship as evidence of the country's development trajectory.

"Just think about all that India has accomplished in recent years. Who would have thought that India would make history by landing near the moon's South Pole? Who would have thought that India would become the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer?

"Who would have thought that the world's highest railway arch bridge would be built over the Chenab river? In just 12 years, India has increased its solar generation capacity more than 50-fold. In just 12 years, India has built the world's third-largest startup ecosystem," he said.

On the 2047 target, Modi said the country would need to work towards smaller milestones along the way rather than wait until the deadline to achieve its ambition. Recalling the freedom movement, he said people had gradually set and achieved smaller goals before realising the larger objective of independence.

"Gradually, smaller goals were set and achieved, and people began to believe that freedom would surely come. The entire country stood united in this resolve. It is this same faith across the country that will take us to the goal of a developed India. We will move forward by achieving many goals, big and small, and only then will we reach the goal of a developed India," he said.

Modi also referred to his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', saying he consistently attempts to provide a platform for the achievements of the country and its people. He urged media organisations to take up similar stories and amplify them.

"I would also urge the country's media to work on stories about India's successes and help them reach more people. This would be a tremendous service to the nation on your part," he said.

Reflecting on his longstanding association with journalists, the Prime Minister recalled his early interactions with the media, including the days when he would arrange chairs at such gatherings.

"I have interacted with the media and seen it evolve from days of press releases to Instagram reels," he said.

He also acknowledged the role of field reporters, noting that journalists reach difficult locations even during crises and natural disasters.

Separately, Modi called on the media to support efforts to raise awareness about drug addiction and help protect young people from substance abuse.

"I would like your support on another issue. Now we must also raise awareness about drug addiction in the same way. We must get our youth out of all this," he said.