Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several development projects in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday. The Prime Minister paid homage to Goddess Vagdevi, the revered mother of Dhar Bhojshala, and extended his salutations to artisans and craftsmen engaged in nation-building.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi highlighted the historical significance of Dhar, noting the bravery of Maharaja Bhoj and the sacrifice of Maharshi Dadhichi as inspirations for national service. The Prime Minister recalled that on this day in history, the Indian Army liberated Hyderabad, restoring national pride and integrating the region with India. He termed the event as Hyderabad Liberation Day, symbolizing India’s unity and honour, and emphasized that nothing surpasses the honour, pride, and glory of Mother India.
Launching the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ campaign, the Prime Minister emphasized women’s health as central to the nation’s development. He noted that screenings for conditions including blood pressure, diabetes, anaemia, tuberculosis, and cancer will be conducted free of cost, supported by the Ayushman Card for further treatment. The campaign, running from September 17 to October 2, aims to strengthen preventive and curative healthcare for mothers, sisters, and daughters nationwide.
The PM also inaugurated the eighth National Nutrition Month and highlighted schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, under which over ₹19,000 crore has been disbursed to 4.5 crore pregnant women, including 15 lakh women on Tuesday alone. Addressing tribal health, the Prime Minister distributed the one-croreth Sickle Cell Screening and Counselling Card in Madhya Pradesh, marking progress in the national mission against sickle cell anaemia.
Emphasizing women’s economic empowerment, PM Modi noted initiatives under Mudra Yojana, Bank Sakhi, and Drone Didi programs, aimed at training women as entrepreneurs and integrating them into the rural economy. He highlighted the importance of social welfare programs such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, and PM Awas Yojana in improving women’s daily lives.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the PM MITRA Park in Dhar, India’s largest integrated textile park, covering approximately 1,300 acres with over 80 industrial units allotted. Designed under the government’s 5F vision – Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign – the park is expected to generate three lakh jobs, enhance farmers’ incomes, and strengthen India’s textile exports. Investment proposals worth over ₹23,140 crore have already been committed.
On the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, PM Modi extended greetings to artisans and craftsmen, recognizing them as a key force behind the Make in India initiative. He highlighted the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, which has benefited over 30 lakh artisans with skill training, access to digital marketing, modern tools, and loans exceeding ₹4,000 crore.
The Prime Minister also launched the Adi Seva Parv for Madhya Pradesh under the Adi Karmyogi Abhiyan, aimed at empowering tribal communities through health, education, skill development, livelihood enhancement, and environmental initiatives. As part of this effort, over 10,000 women will develop community gardens under the Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam initiative.
Highlighting the importance of Swadeshi, PM Modi urged citizens to purchase Indian-made goods, stressing that domestic production generates employment, strengthens the economy, and contributes to national development. He also encouraged citizens to take advantage of reduced GST rates coming into effect from September 22 during Navratri.
Governor Mangubhai Patel, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Minister Savitri Thakur, and other dignitaries attended the event.