Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a press conference, in Kolkata on September 16, 2026. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also present.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) said that “Modinomics” has transformed India, adding that before 2014, India did not have the necessary leadership to tap into the full potential of both manpower and brainpower.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Mr. Singh said: “Over the last 12 years, 25 crore people have been brought out of poverty, while more than 94 crore people have come under the Social Security Net.”
“PM Modi provided an ecosystem for both these powers to work to their full potential,” the Defence Minister said.
The Minister added that in August 2026 alone, UPI recorded 23.66 billion transactions, with a total transaction value of approximately ₹29.88 lakh crore. He said that such UPI payments have increased the digital accessibility of street vendors and connected them with the formal financial system.
The Defence Minister was joined by senior BJP leaders from the State, including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, at the press conference.
On Seva Sankalp Abhiyan
From September 17 to October 17, the BJP will conduct the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ to undertake various socio-cultural programmes to improve public outreach and highlight the achievements of Mr. Modi in his last 25 years of holding a public office, both as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Prime Minister of India.
On this, Mr. Singh said that Mr. Modi’s life can be summed up in one word “Seva” or service. India has been established as a hub for technology and talent, and this was possible through Mr. Modi-led government’s leadership and visionary policies, he added.
During this one month, several social and cultural events will be organised across the country and State. On September 17, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and people of the State will light diyas across the State to celebrate the birthday of PM Modi. They will start with lighting over 1 lakh diyas on the ghats of Ganga in Kolkata.
Events spread across the month will include nukkad nataks and street plays, blood donation camps, tree plantation drives, awareness campaigns on reducing the use of plastic products, water conservation initiatives, and serving at orphanages and old-age homes, among other activities.
Speaking about the new BJP government in West Bengal, Mr. Singh said that he hopes that the State will become the hub of shipbuilding in the coming days. Under Mr. Adhikari, the State will see further development in the coming days, he added.
Published – September 17, 2026 04:11 am IST
