Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses the post-Budget press conference.
Credit: PTI Photo
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (February 1), in her shortest ever budget speech made in the Parliament, used the phrase 'Kartavya Kaal' while highlighting that the Narendra Modi government stands committed to strengthening and expanding the economy with high growth and creating conditions for Indians to realise their aspirations.
While this is not an entirely new term used by the FM Sitharaman, many might recall how the last Budget speech was peppered with mentions of 'Amrit Kaal'.
So, how did India get from 'Amrit Kaal' to 'Kartavya Kaal'?
It was in July 2023 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed 'Amrit Kaal' as 'Kartavya Kaal' to stress on the fact that India's top priority now is on 'kartvya' (duties).
In his Independence Day speech too, in August last year, PM Modi highlighted his government's focus on 'Kartvaya', saying, “We commit ourselves to national development, with new inspirations, new consciousness, new resolutions, as the country opens up immense possibilities and opportunities”.
Quoting the PM's Independence Day speech, Sitharaman said in her budget speech today that it is indeed our 'Kartavya Kaal'.
Adding that every challenge of the pre-2014 era was overcome through economic management and good governance, the FM said, “These have placed the country on a resolute path of sustained high growth. This has been possible through our right policies, true intentions, and appropriate decisions.”