Delhi: PM Modi recalls 2013 analogy at SRCC centenary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi for the college’s centenary gathering, 13 years after addressing the institution as Gujarat’s chief minister.

Modi recalled holding up a glass of water at SRCC in 2013 and describing it as full: half water and half air. He said the earlier speech had been delivered during a period marked by inflation, corruption allegations and what he called “policy paralysis”.

The Prime Minister contrasted that period with India’s current economic performance, citing first-quarter GDP growth of 7.8% as well as construction, manufacturing, industrial activity and vehicle sales. He also spoke about the government’s goal of a developed India by 2047.

The event took place on Teachers’ Day. Modi met SRCC’s governing body in April for its centenary and released a commemorative postage stamp.

Congress leader Pawan Khera criticised the address in a post on X. Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar said Modi spoke about 2013 and 2047 but did not address issues facing students or the public.