Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that from health to social security, the country is moving ahead with a feeling of saturation in every field, which is also a great picture of social justice. He said presently, most of the populace in India is taking advantage of one social protection benefit or the other.
Sharing his thoughts in the Mann Ki Baaat Programme of Akashvani today, Mr Modi spoke about the International Labour Organisation ILO report, where it has been mentioned that more than 64 per cent of the population of India is now definitely availing of some social protection benefit or the other.
He added that social Security is one of the biggest coverages in the world as around 95 crore people of the country are getting the benefit of some or the other social security schemes. He also said that the government schemes were reaching less than 25 crore people in the country till 2015. Mr. Modi highlighted that these successes have instilled confidence that the coming times will be even better and India will become even stronger at every step.
Prime Minister Modi also mentioned about the WHO declaring India Trachoma free, saying it is the result of the hard work of lakhs of people who fought this disease tirelessly, without a break. Mr Modi said, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has helped in eradicating it and Jal Jeevan Mission also contributed a lot to this success. He said, that this success also presents a great picture of social justice.
Talking about the emergency, the Prime Minister said, with the power of public participation, big crises can be confronted, and it was the strength of the people they did not bow down, did not break down and did not accept any compromise with democracy. He said, those who imposed the emergency not only murdered the constitution, but they also had the intention to keep the judiciary as their slave. Mr Modi said, during this period, many people were subjected to severe torture, students too were harassed, and freedom of expression was stifled.
Mr Modi added that just a few days ago, the imposition of emergency on the country completed its 50 years and the countrymen observed the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. He said, the nation should always remember all those people who fought the emergency with fortitude as it inspires them to remain constantly vigilant to keep the Constitution strong and enduring.
Mentioning International Yoga Day, which was celebrated on 21st of this month, Mr Modi said, crores of people across the country and the world participated in it. He said, more and more people are adopting yoga in their daily lives.
The Prime Minister observed that three lakh people performed yoga together on the beach of Visakhapatnam, and more than two thousand tribal students performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes there. The Prime Minister also said, this time the theme was also very special- Yoga for One Earth, One Healt’. He said, it is not just a slogan but a direction which makes people realise the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Speaking about pilgrimage, Mr Modi mentioned about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Amarnath Yatra, and Jagannath Rath Yatra. He said, from North to South, East to West, these Yatras are a reflection of the spirit of Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat. He highlighted that these religious pilgrimages are also a great opportunity for the spirit of service.
The Prime Minister noted that when any pilgrimage takes place, more people engage in serving the pilgrims than the number of people who undertake the pilgrimage. He stated that people set up free food distribution stalls, drinking water stalls, medical camps and other facilities with a spirit of service.
Mr Modi said, Bodoland in Assam today stands out in the country with a new face and a new identity. He said, the energy and confidence that the youth there have, is most visible on the football field. The Prime Minister said, in the Bodo Territorial Area, the Bodoland CEM Cup is being organised, which has become a celebration of unity and hope. He said, more than three thousand seven hundred teams, about seventy thousand players, and even among them participation of a large number of girls tell the story of a big change in Bodoland. Mr Modi said, Bodoland is now rapidly emerging on the sports map of the country.
Referring to India’s regional, linguistic and cultural diversity, Mr. Modi observed that the diversity of arts, crafts and skills is also a great quality of the country. He spoke about GI Tagging to Eri Silk of Meghalaya saying it is like a heritage for the state, which has been preserved by the tribes, especially the people of the Khasi community, for generations. He said, the silkworms that make this silk are not killed to obtain it, hence it is also called Ahimsa Silk. The Prime Minister noted that the demand for such products is rising rapidly in the world.
In his address, the Prime Minister also talked about women-led development and mentioned that it is ready to create a new future for India as women of the country today are lending a new direction not only for themselves but for the entire society. Speaking about the success of the women of Bhadrachalam in Telangana, he said, the women who were working as labourers in the fields are now making biscuits from millets.
These biscuits, named ‘Bhadradri Millet Magic’, are reaching right from Hyderabad to London. They are also making Giri Sanitary Pads and in just three months, they prepared 40 thousand pads and delivered them to schools and nearby offices that too at a very low price.
Discussing about Suma Uike of Madhya Pradesh, Mr Modi said, she took training in mushroom farming and animal husbandry by joining the Self Help Group in Katangi block of Balaghat district and found her the path to self-reliance. When her income increased, she also expanded her work. The Prime Minister further said, this journey that started with a tiny effort has now reached ‘Didi Canteen’ and ‘Thermal Therapy Centre’. He underlined that countless such women are changing their fate and that of the country in every corner of the country.
Mr Modi said, last month the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha were taken from India to Vietnam and were kept for public darshan at nine different places there. He said, in a way, this initiative of India became a national festival for Vietnam. The Prime Minister highlighted that in Vietnam, which has a population of about 10 crore people, more than 1.5 crore people had a darshan of the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha.
He said, during the last few days, many people from Vietnam sent him their messages through various mediums and expressed their gratitude to India for enabling darshan of the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha. The Prime Minister noted that the thoughts of Bhagwan Buddha have the power to bind countries, cultures and people together. He urged people to definitely visit Buddhist sites in their state.
On World Environment Day, which was celebrated this month, Mr Modi said, Ramesh Kharmale of Pune and his family cleared bushes, dug 70 trenches in Junnar Hills in just two months to retain water and sowed seeds. He said, Mr Kharmale has made many small ponds, planted hundreds of trees and is getting an Oxygen Park built. He said, birds have started returning there and wildlife is getting a new breath.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Mission for Million Trees campaign, where the target is to plant lakhs of trees. He said, a special aspect about this campaign is SindoorVan, a forest is dedicated to the bravehearts of Operation Sindoor.
He added that under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, crores of trees have been planted in the country. Saying that when small habits become a collective resolve, a big change is certain, Mr Modi mentioned about Patoda Gram Panchayat in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district of Maharashtra which is a Carbon Neutral village Panchayat, He said, there is a complete system of collecting garbage from every house, dirty water is also treated and no water goes into the river without being cleaned.
