'Daman has become a living example of Mini India': PM Modi
Daman, June 5
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.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I think this is just political rhetoric. Daman has always been diverse because of migration for jobs and tourism. The real test is whether the infrastructure can keep up with this diversity. Are there enough schools for all these children from different states? Are the healthcare facilities truly accessible? Let's focus on ground realities.
As someone born and raised in Daman, I can confirm this. Our colony has people from Kerala, Punjab, Bihar, and even Nepal! We celebrate every festival together—Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Christmas. The PM is right that this is what makes India special. Unity in diversity is not just a slogan here, it's our daily life.
I'm an American who has lived in Daman for work for 3 years. The PM's description is accurate—it's a melting pot. But development is uneven. Some areas have good roads and hospitals, others lack basic sanitation. The tourism projects mentioned are welcome, but I hope they benefit local communities, not just big investors.
Nice words, but I want to see action. Daman's beaches are beautiful but need better maintenance. The healthcare facilities mentioned—are they really reaching the poor? Many migrant workers still struggle for basic amenities. Let's hope these projects deliver real change and not just photo ops.
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