Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described Daman as a "living example of Mini India", highlighting the region's diverse population and its role as a meeting point for communities from across the country. Addressing a public gathering in Daman, PM Modi recalled remarks he had made during an earlier visit when he predicted that the Union Territory was rapidly evolving into a miniature reflection of India's diversity.
"A few years ago when I came among you, I had said that our Daman was rapidly becoming a Mini India. Today, I can see that on my left is all of Bengal and on my right is all of Assam," he said. The Prime Minister noted that the presence of people from different regions, languages and cultures gave Daman a unique character.
"The diversity here, the presence of people from different regions of the country, gives one a beautiful glimpse of the whole of India," he said. PM Modi thanked residents for gathering in large numbers and said their participation reflected the spirit of unity that defines the country.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the region's development journey, saying he had visited Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli frequently over several decades, including before becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat and later as the country's Prime Minister.
"Whenever I come here and see the governance model, it gives me immense satisfaction. Every time I feel that compared to my previous visit, the region has advanced miles ahead on the path of development," he asserted. He said that generations of residents had dreamt of better infrastructure, healthcare and educational opportunities and that many of those aspirations were now becoming reality.
According to PM Modi, projects launched on Friday in connectivity, tourism, healthcare and urban development would create new opportunities for young people and improve quality of life across the Union Territory. He credited local administration and officials for implementing development programmes and said the progress being witnessed reflected a combination of long-term vision and effective governance.