In an effort to expedite the implementation of key government initiatives and swiftly deliver their benefits to the intended beneficiaries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a special initiative on the occasion of Janajatiya Gaurav Divas on Wednesday.
Named ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra,’ the initiative aims to raise awareness and deliver the advantages of various welfare programs, including sanitation facilities, essential financial services, electricity connections, access to LPG cylinders, housing for the underprivileged, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, and clean drinking water.
The launch of the Yatra was marked by PM Modi flagging off Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) vans in Khunti, Jharkhand. The Yatra will commence in districts with substantial tribal populations initially and is projected to cover all districts across the country by January 26, 2024.
PM Modi emphasized that his guarantee translates to the fulfillment of every commitment. He said, “Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra is, in a way, Modi’s commitment to the poor, mothers and sisters, youth, and farmers of the country.” The journey, starting on November 15, the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, will continue until January 26 next year, reaching every village in a mission mode to ensure that every impoverished and deprived individual becomes a beneficiary of government schemes.
Identifying the four pillars of developed India as women, farmers, youth, and the middle class, PM Modi highlighted the importance of strengthening these pillars for the nation’s progress. He said, “The stronger we strengthen these four pillars, the higher the pillars of developed India will rise.”
PM Modi stressed that true social justice and secularism can only be achieved when all citizens have equal access to the benefits of government schemes. He said, “For decades, there was a lot of talk in our country about social justice and secularism. But true secularism comes only when all possibilities of discrimination against any citizen of the country are eliminated.”
During the event in Khunti, PM Modi also launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Mission.’ With a budget of approximately Rs 24,000 crore, the mission aims to provide basic facilities such as road and telecom connectivity, electricity, safe housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, improved access to education, health, and nutrition, and sustainable livelihood opportunities to the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) residing in 18 states and UTs across 22,544 villages.
Additionally, the government is committed to ensuring saturation for various schemes, including PMJAY, Sickle Cell Disease Elimination, TB Elimination, 100% immunization, PM Surakshit Matritva Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, PM Poshan, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to Indian tribal activist and folk hero Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary at his native village Ulihatu in the Khunti district of Jharkhand. He garlanded the statue of Birsa Munda and visited the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park and Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi to honor the late tribal leader.
(Inputs from ANI)