At SRCC’s Centenary,PM hits out at critics over 7.8% GDP growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday. Addressing the gathering, he described the occasion as historic for both the college and the nation’s education sector, as multiple generations came together to mark the milestone. “I pay tribute to the founder Shri Ram ji and bow to his vision,” remarked PM Modi. “When an institution turns 100, it becomes an ocean of achievements and inspirations,” PM Modi said.  Modi hit out at critics of India’s latest GDP figures, saying those responsible for pushing the country into the “Fragile Five” were now unable to accept its emergence as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.PM Modi cited India’s 7.8 per cent growth in the April-June quarter as evidence of the economy’s resilience amid the war in West Asia and disruptions to global trade. But those who became infamous for pushing India into the ‘Fragile Five’ are finding these figures difficult to digest,” he said.

We all know that those responsible for pushing India into the “Fragile Five” cannot digest the numbers of India’s growth.

But you understand numbers well.

* From April to June, electricity consumption increased by 9 per cent.
* Car sales increased by more than 20 per cent. In… pic.twitter.com/pR67dvRJJT

— BJP (@BJP4India) September 5, 2026

PM Modi peppered his address with Gen Z-friendly phrases such as "OG" and brought in a reference to the popular film 'Dhurandhar' as he returned to Delhi University's Shri Ram College of Commerce, 13 years after his last speech there which gained immense traction. While "OG" (original gangster) is slang for someone who is incredibly exceptional, authentic or old-school, "Dhurandhar" means a stalwart. "Flex" means to show off, boast or proudly display something like wealth, status, skills or achievements."SRCC's alumni have been very special... they took the glory of the college to the global level. If I put it in your language, the alumni here are the OGs," Modi said in his address at the college's centenary celebrations.
Modi had visited SRCC in 2013 as the Gujarat chief minister and his address to the students gained a lot of traction, especially in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in which he was the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. Modi said his 2013 speech at SRCC had "become a wave", and even today, 13-14 years later, the impact of that address remains intact. "I said there are people who can see the glass as fully filled, half with water and half with air. It was a time when the country was lacking hope. So I said, 'I see the glass as fully filled'," he said.
A large part of Saturday's speech was built as a contrast between the India of 2013 and the country's present position, plus the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' or a "developed India" by 2047, when India will celebrate 100 years of Independence. PM Modi arrived by metro to attend SRCC's centenary celebration and returned by metro after the program. During this time, he met fellow passengers and children, and chatted with them.