New Delhi, February 27 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerhouse speech at the ‘Rising Bharat Summit-2026’ today, charting India’s remarkable journey from colonial subjugation to global powerhouse status. He emphasized that true national strength isn’t forged overnight but built across generations through knowledge, tradition, hard work, and experience.
Modi pointed out how centuries of slavery instilled a deep sense of inferiority, compounded by imported ideologies that portrayed Indians as uneducated followers. Even post-independence, this slave mentality lingered, hampering progress. He cited ongoing trade deal discussions as stark evidence of change: ‘Why are developed nations queuing up for deals with India? Because a confident nation has emerged from despair.’
Reflecting on the pre-2014 era of policy paralysis and ‘fragile five’ tag, Modi highlighted transformations under his government. From 30 million households in darkness to topping global solar capacity charts; from dismal public transport to the world’s third-largest metro network; from tardy railways to semi-high-speed Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains – India is rewriting its story.
In the AI era, India isn’t just participating; it’s leading with a thriving startup ecosystem. The recent AI Summit was a proud moment, marred only by Congress’s desperate bid to tarnish it before global leaders, exposing their ideological bankruptcy. ‘When failure breeds frustration and arrogance, they stoop to defaming the nation,’ Modi remarked.
Congress’s habit of invoking Gandhi to cover sins while crediting one family for glories drew sharp criticism. Democracy demands constructive opposition with alternative visions, not blind obstruction. Voters have been teaching Congress this lesson for decades, reducing it from 400+ seats in 1984 to relevance in just four states today.
Modi lamented Bengal’s rejection of Ayushman Bharat, denying free healthcare to the poor despite its noble intent. India’s resurgence signals a new era where people reject parties unworthy of their trust.