Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that an empowered India would be ensured when the poor, farmers, women, and youth are empowered. Noting that his government has made all-round efforts to alleviate the difficulties of farmers, and beneficiaries has received `30,000 crore under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that the governments in the past had a “narrow ambit” regarding issues linked to farmers.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Toor or Arhar dal farmers can now sell their produce directly to the government online, ensuring purchases at MSP and better prices in the market. The scope of this scheme will be extended to other pulses as well, he added. “Our effort is to make the money we send abroad to buy pulses available to the farmers of the country,” said the Prime Minister.
Addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY) via video conferencing, Modi said the biggest objective of the Yatra is to ensure that no rightful beneficiary of government schemes is left out. Thousands of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra beneficiaries from across the country, along with Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and local-level representatives, joined the event.
Prime Minister Modi noted that the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra recently completed 50 days and has connected with about 11 crore people. “Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra has become not only the Government’s journey but also the country’s journey,” he said. The Prime Minister mentioned, “Modi Ki Guarantee ki Gadi is reaching every nook and corner of the country. The poor, who spent their lives waiting to benefit from government schemes, are experiencing meaningful change today. The Government is reaching the doorsteps of the beneficiaries and proactively providing benefits. Along with Modi Ki Guarantee ki Gadi, government offices and people’s representatives are reaching the people.”
Referring to the buss about “Modi ki guarantee,” the Prime Minister emphasised the mission-mode approach to cover beneficiaries and highlighted the link between the resolution of “Viksit Bharat” (developed Bharat) and the saturation of scheme coverage.
Earlier, Modi interacted with beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via video conferencing, where they praised government initiatives. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the enduring struggles of the poor, youth, women, and farmers over many generations. “Our government aims to spare present and future generations from the hardships endured by earlier ones. We aspire to liberate a significant portion of the population from the daily struggles for basic needs,’ Modi said.
“For us, the empowerment of the poor, farmers, women, and youth is paramount. These are the four primary pillars of our nation. When these segments are empowered, the country will become stronger,” he said.
Since the Yatra began, we have received 12 lakh new applications for Ujjwala connections, along with numerous applications for Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, and PM SVANidhi, Modi reported.
Highlighting the Yatra’s impact, the Prime Minister mentioned health checkups for over two crore people, including one crore TB checkups and 22 lakh sickle cell checkups. Doctors are reaching the doorsteps of the poor, Dalits, deprived, and tribals, overcoming challenges faced by previous governments, Modi said.
He emphasised Ayushman Yojna, providing `5 lakh health insurance, free dialysis, and low-cost medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. “Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs across the country have become significant health centres for villages and the poor.”
Modi underscored the government’s impact on women empowerment, citing loans through the Mudra Yojna, women serving as Bank Mitras, Pashu Sakhis, and Asha workers. Over the last decade, 10 crore women have joined self-help groups, receiving over `7.5 lakh crore. As a result, many sisters have become ‘Lakhpati Didis.’
