Varanasi, Apr 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday indirectly accused the opposition parties of being the supporters of nepotism and said that the country's identity in the world has changed in the last ten years, and today's India is moving ahead with development and heritage.
After inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 44 development projects worth Rs 3,900 crore for Purvanchal from his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, while addressing a public meeting at Mehndiganj of Raja Ka Talab, the PM said, "Inspired by great men like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, our mantra of serving the country has been, Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas. We move ahead with that idea for the country, which has a dedicated spirit, Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas. Those who play games day and night to grab power, their principle is, Parivar Ka Saath-Parivar Ka Vikas."
He said, “Today is also the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a symbol of social consciousness. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule worked throughout their lives for the welfare of women, their self-confidence, and social welfare. Today we are taking forward their ideas, their resolutions, their movement for women empowerment, giving new energy to it.”
He said, “Today, India is the world's largest milk-producing country. In 10 years, milk production has increased by about 65 percent. This success belongs to crores of farmers of the country, to the cattle-rearing brothers of the country. This success has not been achieved in a day; for the last 10 years, we have been taking the entire dairy sector of the country forward in mission mode. We have provided the facility of Kisan Credit Card to cattle rearers, increased the loan limit for them, arranged for a subsidy, and a free vaccine programme is being run to protect livestock from foot and mouth disease.”
Modi said that in the last 10 years, the development of Banaras has gained a new momentum. "Kashi has adapted to modern times, preserved its heritage, and has taken strong steps towards making the future bright. Today, Kashi is not just ancient, but also progressive. Today's Kashi is pulling the chariot of development of Purvanchal,” he said.
While recounting the efforts of the government for the improvement of medical facilities in Purvanchal, he said, “ 10-11 years ago, we also knew the problems that were there regarding treatment in the entire Purvanchal. Today the situation is different, my Kashi is now becoming the capital of health. Big hospitals of Delhi-Mumbai have come near your home today.
This is development, where facilities come to the people. Now there is no need to sell land for treatment, now there is no need to take a loan for treatment, now there is no need to wander from door to door for treatment, now the government will pay for your treatment through Ayushman card. When you blessed us for the third time, then we too have fulfilled our duty as servants with love. I guaranteed that the treatment of the elderly will be free; the result of this is Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana. This scheme is not only for the treatment of the elderly but also for their respect,” he said.
About the changing face of Varanasi, he said, “Today, whoever comes to Kashi, praises the infrastructure and facilities here. Every day, lakhs of people come to Banaras, visit Baba Vishwanath, and take a bath in Maa Ganga. Every traveller says – Banaras has changed a lot. Today, India is moving forward with both development and heritage. Our Kashi is becoming the best model of this. There is a flow of Ganga here, and there is also a flow of consciousness of India.”
The PM said, “Tomorrow is the holy day of Hanuman Janmotsav, and today I have got the privilege of meeting you in Sankatmochan Maharaj's Kashi. Before Hanuman Janmotsav, the people of Kashi had gathered here to celebrate development.”
Apart from Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were present in Shri Modi's public meeting. Apart from them, Banas Dairy Chairman and Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Bhai Chaudhary were also on the stage.
The PM inaugurated 19 schemes worth Rs 1,629.13 crore and laid the foundation stone of 25 schemes worth Rs 2,255.05 crore. Along with this, he also transferred a bonus of Rs 106 crore to lakhs of milk producing farmers of the state associated with Banas (Amul). Shri Modi provided certificates to three GIs and Ayushman cards to three elderly people above 70 years of age.
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