All resources should be diverted towards villages for development in true spirit of Constitution: PM

Bhopal. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that work is still incomplete to meet expectations made by Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar in the Constitution to strengthen the country and realize the objectives of Mahatma Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj. To complete the process, all sources and resources need to be diverted towards villages. He said that piecemeal development will not do.

Shri Modi was addressing a massive public gathering at Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace Mhow (Ambedkar Nagar) today. He launched ‘Gramoday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ on Dr. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary.

Shri Modi said that he has come to pay obeisance to Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar. He said that he had come earlier, too, but there is world of difference between then and now. He congratulated Madhya Pradesh’s government led by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan for developing Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace on a grand and glorious scale.

CM complemented for roadmap to double farmers’ income

With reference to doubling farmers’ income, Shri Modi said that farmers demand nothing. Only if they can get adequate water, they can produce gold from soil. A farmer is satisfied if he is able to feed others. He said that a resolve has been taken to double farmers’ income by year 2022. Work is difficult, but will be accomplished. He congratulated Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan for preparing a roadmap for doubling farmers’ income. He desired other states to chalk out such an action plan in accordance with their resources. Urban economy will also not grow untill villages’ purchasing power is increased.

Shri Modi said that desired improvement is yet to be witnessed in villages even 69 years after independence. He said that development of some cities and handful industries will not be enough for development of India. Villages need to be economically empowered for their constant and permanent development. He said that this year’s budget has paid maximum attention to development of villages and agriculture. Attention has been paid to fill farmers with new zeal and energy.

Shri Modi said that Baba Saheb was synonym of resolve. He devoted all his life to struggle to ensure respect and dignified life to downtrodden sections of society. He said that Baba Saheb had vast knowledge and education through which he could do anything to lead a lavish life. But he chose to dedicate his life to ensure better life to weaker sections.

Shri Modi said that credit goes to Baba Saheb for his Prime Ministership. People indulging in politics in the name of Baba Saheb have done nothing, except dividing society. Baba Saheb struggled every moment. He consumed and digested poison of humiliation. His to people greatness is manifest in the Constitution framed by him. Therefore, he intends to do good sitting at his feet.

The Prime Minister said that all villages in the country will be electrified within less than 1000 days. He said that it is about 70 years since India attained freedom. It would be unfortunate if even a single village remains unelectrified now. He said that present Central Government is accountable to the people. It works fast to fulfill people’s aspirations and expectations.

The Prime Minister said that Baba Saheb Ambedkar had called for imbibing education, be organised and struggle. He believed in economic prosperity and social empowerment through technological advances. His government is striving to fulfill this dream. It would be true homage to Baba Saheb if we orient ourselves towards villages. He said that the Central Government allocates Rs. 75 lakh annually to each village for development. This is adequate to transform villages. He stressed the need to continue awareness towards development at Gram Panchayats. They should be empowered. This is possible through inspiration from Baba Saheb.

Referring to ‘Gramoday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’, the Prime Minister said that those who called themselves champions of the poor, could not do so. Welfare of deprived sections must continue. He informed that 90 lakh families have given up subsidy on LPG in favour of poor families. One crore LPG connections were given during one year in the history of India. The Prime Minister said that 5 crore more families will be benefited in next 3 years. He said that poor families are forced to approach companies like chit fund. Now, all poor families have joined national mainstream of financial inclusion through Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana. They have got economic security. India can develop only with active participation of the poor.

Shri Modi said that India needs rapid growth. He said that 5 memorials associated with Baba Saheb will be developed as Panchtirth. It is a matter of devotion and faith. Baba Saheb has taught high values of social unity, justice and harmony. He takes pride in working while sitting at the feet of Baba Saheb. Referring to developing Alipur bungalow of Baba Saheb as a memorial, he said that the people who failed to do this earlier should not get disturbed and rather repent.

Shri Modi urged villagers to become partners in transformation and make full use of government’ schemes. Shri Modi concluded his speech with slogan ‘Jay Bhim’. Chairman of Ambedkar Memorial Society, Indore Bhante Sanghsheel presented book ‘Dhamma Pad’ to the Prime Minister. Shri Modi complemented Indore district for becoming open defecation free. He said that now every district will make efforts in this direction.

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Shri Modi is the first Prime Minister of India who has come to pay tribute at Baba Saheb’s memorial. People of Madhya Pradesh take pride that Baba Saheb was born here. Shri Chouhan expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for developing 5 memorials associated with Baba Saheb as Panchtirth. He said that previous governments could not do this. Earlier, devotees had to face difficulties at Mhow. The then state government had started construction of the memorial in 1991. This work has been completed now.

Referring to innovative welfare schemes for SCs and STs, the Chief Minister said that houseless families will be given housing facility. He said that it was dream of Baba Saheb that society becomes educated. Fulfilling this dream, education facilities have been expanded in the state. As a result, 117 students belonging to SCs and STs succeded in taking admission in prestigious institutions like IIT and IIM last year. These students’ tuition fee is also being borne by the state government. Similarly, the state government will also pay fee of students taking admission in engineering and medical colleges. The state government also gives adequate assistance to students going for study to foreign countries.

On the occasion, ‘Gramoday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ was launched by handing over Abhiyan’s flag by the Prime Minister to the Chief Minister. The flag will go to all Gram Panchayats.

Harmony Day on April 14, Constitution Day on November 26: Union Minister Shri Gehlot

Union Minister for Social Justice Shri Thawarchand Gehlot said that 190 countries as well as United Nations are celebrating Baba Saheb’s birth anniversary. He said that inclusive philosophy is necessary for world peace. He informed that a decision has been taken to observe Harmony Day on April 14 and Constitution Day on November 26.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister presented cheques under state government’s innovative schemes Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana, Yuva Udyami Yojana and other schemes to selected beneficiaries. The Prime Minister released book ‘Anusuchit Jati Vikas Ke Das Sal Bemisal’. The Chief Minister presented a CD of song of ‘Gramoday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ to the Prime Minister.

Lakhs of followers of Baba Saheb were present on the occasion. Those present on the occasion included Social Justice Minister Shri Gopal Bhargava, MP and State BJP President Shri Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan, Forest Minister Dr. Gaurishankar Shejwar, Minister of State for GAD Shri Lal Singh Arya, Dhar MP Smt. Savitri Thakur, BJP’s National General Secretary Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, All-India Bhikkhu Sangh’s Sanghnayak Dr. Bhadant Dhamma Dhiriyo. Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister Shri Gyan Singh proposed a vote of thanks.