Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged journalists to take the India story to the world and help the country fight drug abuse. He was speaking at the BJP headquarters’ Diwali Milan event in New Delhi, where he met members of the media.

Modi said deadlines shape the work of journalists, and the same idea now applies to the country. “Today, our country is also working towards a deadline. That deadline is 2047,” he said, adding that India must become a developed nation before it completes 100 years of Independence.

01. The 2047 deadline

The Prime Minister said the dream of a developed India has existed since Independence, but now it has a clear timeline. He said the target is achievable, pointing to recent progress in space exploration, infrastructure and economic growth.

“Deadlines are important, be it an individual, an institution or a country,” Modi said. He added that once a deadline is fixed, priorities, approach and speed all change.

02. An appeal on drugs

Modi also asked the media to support the fight against drugs and help spread awareness about de-addiction. The appeal connects with the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ campaign, which he launched in August to build a drug-free India by 2047. More than one crore young people have enrolled in the campaign across over 28,000 locations.

03. Praise for journalists

The Prime Minister praised journalists for their courage, saying field reporters often risk their lives and put their families aside to report from the ground. He recalled his own long association with the media from the early 1990s, including two nationwide tours, and said media engagement has changed completely since then — from faxed press releases to Instagram reels.

He also recalled organising Diwali Milan gatherings in his early days, when his job included arranging chairs and looking after journalists.

04. Key takeaways

  • PM Modi addressed journalists at the BJP headquarters’ Diwali Milan event in New Delhi on November 12.
  • He said India’s deadline is 2047 — the year it must become a developed nation.
  • He urged the media to take the India story to the world and support the drug-free India push.
  • He praised field reporters for risking their lives to cover stories.

05. Frequently asked questions

What is the Diwali Milan event?
It is a traditional post-Diwali gathering. The BJP hosts journalists at its headquarters in New Delhi every year for the event.

What did PM Modi say about 2047?
He said India is working towards a deadline of 2047 to become a developed nation, before completing 100 years of Independence.

What is the Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign?
It is a nationwide movement launched by PM Modi in August 2026 to build a drug-free India by 2047, with a focus on young people.