Kavaratti, January 3 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an effort to win the hearts of the people of Muslim majority Lakshadweep who have become witnesses to large-scale protests against the reforms initiated by his government, said on Wednesday that although this archipelago may be small in size, its heart is big.
The Prime Minister made this statement after inaugurating and laying the foundation for various projects worth ₹1,150 crores in the centrally governed territory.
He said, “Even though the area of Lakshadweep is small, its heart is very big. I am deeply moved by the love and blessings I receive here. I express my gratitude to all of you.”
The Prime Minister arrived in Lakshadweep on Tuesday.
Today, he inaugurated and laid the foundation for these projects at an event. Hundreds of island residents, including women and children, participated in the ceremony.
In his address, Modi targeted the former non-BJP governments at the Centre, saying that for decades, their sole priority had been to develop their political parties.
He said, “States that are far away, border areas, or those between the seas have not been given any attention.”
Detailing the steps taken by his government for the development of such areas, Modi said, “In the last 10 years, our government has prioritized border areas and coastal locations.”
He added, “In 2020, I assured you that you would get fast internet service within the next 1,000 days. Today, the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fiber Project has been inaugurated. Now, the internet in Lakshadweep will be available 100 times faster.”
The Prime Minister announced this during his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in August 2020.
The aim of this initiative is to overcome the challenge of slow internet speed in Lakshadweep.
According to officials, this will increase internet speed in the islands from 100 times to over 200 gigabits per second (gigabyte per second).
He mentioned that Lakshadweep is now connected through a submarine optical fiber cable, showing a significant change in communication infrastructure.
He said that this will lead to growth in internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, education, digital banking, currency usage, and literacy in the islands.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a Low-Temperature Thermal De-salination (LTTD) plant with low temperatures and dedicated it to the nation, which will produce 1.5 lakh liters of clean drinking water daily.
Additionally, he dedicated Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all homes on Agatti and Minicoy Islands to the nation.
Other projects initiated by Modi include a solar energy plant in Kavaratti, the first battery-supported solar energy project in Lakshadweep. He also laid the foundation for the modernization of primary healthcare facilities in Kalpeni and the construction of five model Anganwadi centers (Nand Ghars) in Androth, Chetlat, Kadmat, Agatti, and Minicoy islands.”
