In an exclusive interview with The Daily Guardian, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Jal Shakti and Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, spoke about how India’s quick handling of the Covid-19 crisis and the post-2014 shifts in the agricultural sector are proof of the country’s rapid development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Excerpts:
Q: The vaccination drive that started on 16 January is not an end to our challenges, but we are moving towards a positive solution. What message has India sent to the world?
A: Thank you to the iTV Network for providing this platform. This coronavirus came as a disaster that stopped the world suddenly. The world has seen the largest economies with the best infrastructures crumbling due to this pandemic. It was a double challenge because the virus was unknown and nobody was ready. For India, it was more challenging because of the large population and limited resources. We had only one laboratory in Pune which could conduct fewer than 100 tests per day, almost no PPE production, very few N95 masks in production in Hindustan Latex labs, a scarcity of ventilators in hospitals, and making sure that oxygen supply is enough was a task. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and due to a timely decision taken by Government of India, if we compare ourselves with the condition of the developed countries, we were better on any parameter. Under the leadership of PM Modi, we not only saved the lives of people but also managed to arrange resources and start with vaccine production. Alongside other factors, India is only the 4th country to develop its vaccine with the least production cost and start the largest vaccination drive. We stand as a role model in front of the world.
Q: What kind of self-confidence is India showing the world?
A: After the pandemic, when the world has seen even the biggest infrastructure suffering, we worked in an integrated manner under the leadership of Narendra Modi, provided the biggest free meal drive to the people of the country, and turned the disaster into an opportunity. The revival of the economy is happening very fast today.
Q: Who are these powers that are not either able to digest our success or are afraid of it?
A: All the political parties who don’t have any other issues try to do politics by questioning the proud moments of the country and this is not morally right. It can be their political agenda but it should not be done at the cost of the nation’s pride.
Q: What is your responsibility as the government regarding the farmer›s issues?
A: As the matter is sub judice, I should not comment on this issue but the government was and always will be open for talks with the farmers. After 2014, the condition of the farming sector has become better than ever before. We have become the largest food grain producer, the largest pulse producer, the largest cotton producer, the largest sugar and sugarcane producer, the largest milk producer, and the largest poultry and meat producer. This shift from being food deficit to food surplus tells how much we are determined to double the farmers’ income in the coming years.
Q: Are the farmers of Rajasthan with you or do they also have issues with you?
A: Despite all odds in the country, we won 14 out of 21 jila panchayat elections with a clear majority. This shows that the people in the rural sector have rejected the protest and instilled their faith in PM Modi and his reforms.
Q: Is the Rajasthan government stable?
A: I will not comment on this but the state is suffering because of the personal animosity of this government.
Q: Before this pandemic, a protest was going on, which was hijacked by some people and turned into riots. The same thing is happening right now. How do you see this?
A: The government is always there to listen to the plight of the farmers, but if you want to politicize the agenda this will not work in the country now.
Q: What are the expectations from 2021?
A: We will continue to complete our projects with the same driving force.
Q: What is your message to the people of the country?
A: The world is watching India change and the year 2021 will be a milestone for this change.