PM’s address during the interaction with beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via Video Conferencing
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 08 Jan, 2024

My respectful greetings to all fellow countrymen! The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra completed its 50 days just 2-3 days ago. The participation of 11 crore people in this yatra in such a short time is unprecedented. The government is reaching out to people standing at the last rung of society with its schemes. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is not just the government’s journey; it has become the nation’s journey, a journey of dreams, resolutions and trust, and that’s why every region, every family of the country is welcoming the guaranteed vehicle of Modi with great emotion, looking at it as a hope for a better future. Whether it’s a village or a city, there is enthusiasm, zeal, and belief everywhere regarding this yatra. From the metropolis of Mumbai to the remote villages of Mizoram, from the mountains of Kargil to the coastal shores of Kanyakumari, Modi’s guaranteed vehicle is reaching every corner of the country. The poor who had spent their lives waiting for the benefits of government schemes are now witnessing a meaningful change. Who would have thought that government employees, officers, bureaucrats, and politicians would personally visit the doors of the poor and inquire whether they have benefited from government schemes or not? But it’s happening and it is happening with utmost honesty. Along with Modi’s guaranteed vehicle, government offices and representatives are reaching people’s villages and neighbourhoods. The satisfaction of those I’ve spoken to is evident on their faces. My family members, Today, Modi’s guarantee is talked about not within the country but globally also. But what does Modi’s guarantee mean? Why is the government putting in so much effort to reach every beneficiary in this mission mode? Why is the government working day and night for your welfare? What is the connection between saturation of government schemes and the resolution of a ‘Viksit Bharat’? Many generations in our country have lived in scarcity, and life with incomplete dreams has become their reality. They considered scarcity as their destiny and remained compelled to live with it. The struggle for small necessities has been most intense among the poor, farmers, women, and youth in our country. Our government wants to ensure that the current and future generations do not have to undergo the difficulties faced by your ancestors, the hardships endured by your elders. That’s why we are working so hard with the aim of eliminating the daily struggles for the smallest of needs faced by a significant population of the country. That’s why we are focusing on the future of the poor, farmers, women, and youth. And these are the four biggest castes of the country for us. When the poor, farmers, women, and youth—the four castes that are very dear to me —will become empowered and strong, Bharat will undoubtedly become powerful. That’s why the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has begun and is reaching every corner of the country. Friends, The main aim of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is that no deserving individual should miss out on the benefits of the government schemes. Many times, some people are deprived of the benefits of these schemes due to lack of awareness or various other reasons. The government sees it as its duty to reach out to such people. That’s why Modi’s guaranteed vehicle is going from village to village. Since the beginning of this yatra, approximately 12 lakh new beneficiaries have applied for the free LPG connection under the Ujjwala scheme. A few days ago, I visited the home of the 100 millionth beneficiary of Ujjwala when I was in Ayodhya. In addition to this, a significant number of applications have been received for schemes like Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and PM SVANidhi during this yatra. Friends, Health check-ups for more than two crore poor individuals have been conducted during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. At the same time, screening for tuberculosis has been done for one crore people, and 22 lakh individuals have been screened for sickle cell anemia. After all, who are these beneficiaries, these brothers and sisters? They are people from villages, the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities, for whom reaching to a doctor was a major challenge in previous governments. Today, doctors are conducting their check-ups on the spot. Once the initial screening is done, they are eligible for free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Yojana. Free dialysis facilities for kidney patients and affordable medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are also available for them. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs being established across the country are becoming significant health centres for villages and the poor. In other words, Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has proven to be a blessing for the health of the poor as well. My family members, I am happy that the significant efforts of the government are benefiting millions of our mothers and sisters. Today, women are stepping forward and achieving new milestones. In the past, there were many sisters who had skills like sewing, knitting, etc., but they lacked the means to start their own business. The Mudra Yojana has given them the confidence to fulfill their dreams; it is Modi’s guarantee. Today, new opportunities for employment and self-employment are emerging in every village. Today some of them are Bank Mitra or Pashu Sakhi while some others are involved in Asha-ANM-Anganwadi. In the last 10 years, 10 crore sisters have joined women self-help groups. These sisters have been assisted with more than 7.5 lakh crore rupees. Many of them have become ‘Lakhpati Didi’ over the years. In view of this success, I have envisioned and resolved to make two crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’. The figure of two crores is huge. Imagine the impact when the number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ reaches two crores; it will be a massive revolution. The government has also initiated the Namo Drone Didi Yojana. I have been told that a demonstration of nearly one lakh drones took place during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. For the first time in the history of the country, the people are being connected through technology in this mission mode. Currently, training for using drones is being provided in the agriculture sector. But its scope is expected to expand to other sectors as well in the near future. My family members, Discussions related to farmers and agricultural policies in our country were limited in previous governments. The discourse on empowering farmers was confined to the production and the sale of crops, whereas farmers face various challenges in their daily lives. Therefore, our government has made comprehensive efforts to ease each and every difficulty faced by farmers. Every farmer has received at least 30,000 rupees under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. We are continuously working to alleviate the struggles of small farmers. The promotion of cooperatives in agriculture is a result of this approach. Whether it is PACS, FPOs, or various organizations for small farmers, they are becoming significant economic forces today. We are bringing forward numerous cooperative organizations for farmers from storage facilities to the food processing industry. A few days ago, a significant decision was made for pulse farmers. Now, farmers producing pulses can also sell their produce directly to the government online. This will not only guarantee MSP for pulse farmers but also ensure better prices in the market. Currently, this facility is provided for tur and arhar dal, but it will be expanded to other pulses in the future. We are endeavouring to ensure that the money spent to buy pulses from abroad benefits the country’s farmers. Friends, I would like to commend all the employees who are managing this work during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Despite the biting cold and rains in many places and other difficulties, the local administration officials and senior officers are working with complete dedication to ensure that the maximum number of people benefit from this Sankalp Yatra, and people’s lives become better. We must move forward while fulfilling our duties to make the country developed. Once again, best wishes to all of you! I gained an understanding of various aspects and their confidence was evident when I had the opportunity to converse with some of them. Their resolutions are truly reflective of the potential in Bharat, which is propelling the country forward. We are fortunate that every citizen is working towards making Bharat a developed nation by 2047. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to joining the Viksit Yatra once again. Thank you very much!