Modi celebrates Sikkim’s Organic Mission in Parliament

“ORGANIC SIKKIM WILL BRING PRIDE TO INDIA”

GANGTOK, 11 June: Sikkim has found one more ambassador and promoter of its organic mission – Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's address to Parliament in Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister included only Sikkim [apart from Gujarat], for specific mention of a laudable initiative which was worth emulating. Apart from having recently met Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in New Delhi, the Prime Minister had also visited Sikkim in a low-key holiday some years back when he was still the CM of Gujarat.

In his closing remarks in Parliament today, the PM, while commenting that he saw a “constructive atmosphere” throughout the preceding debate, informed the House of the “important thing” Sikkim has done. “It [Sikkim] will bring pride to India as an organic state,” he highlighted while stressing that Sikkim’s example can be used across India.

He pointed out that organic farming can change the lives of farmers in Northeast drastically.

The Prime Minister, who took an inclusive note in his address, praising even achievements of non-NDA state governments, commented, for instance: “I welcome that the talk of development has started in the country, when people say Tamil Nadu is better than Gujarat. I want competition between states about progress. I want to hear that states have left Gujarat behind. TN’s rain harvesting model is admirable, for instance. So is Chhattisgarh and West Bengal's development efforts on certain fronts.”

The Prime Minister said that for this Government, the President's address is not a mere ritual or tradition, but an inspiration, which has its own sanctity. He called upon all members of the Lok Sabha to work towards achieving the goals mentioned therein. He said the elected members of Lok Sabha are now the custodians of the hope and aspirations of the people.

“Victory teaches us a lot, including humility. I assure this House that we will never become arrogant. Regardless of our numbers, I do not want to move ahead without all of you. Not numbers, we want consensus,” he said.