If villages are strong, India will develop faster: PM Modi on launching Rs 13,480-crore projects in Bihar
Patna: On the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive public gathering in the Madhubani district of Bihar and inaugurated a series of development projects across key sectors, including railways, infrastructure, LPG, and rural empowerment -- collectively worth over Rs 13,480 crore.
The event began on a solemn note, with the Prime Minister urging the crowd to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
He also paid tribute to the renowned national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on his death anniversary.
'Before we speak of development, let us remember those who were taken from us. Let's pay our respects with silence,' he said.
Emphasising the importance of village self-governance, PM Modi reflected on Mahatma Gandhi's vision of strong villages being key to India's progress.
'If the villages of India are strong, the country will develop faster. This is the soul of Panchayati Raj,' he stated.
In the past 10 years, the Modi government has connected over two lakh Gram Panchayats to the Internet, built 5.5 lakh Common Service Centres in rural areas, constructed 30,000 Panchayat Bhawans, allocated Rs two lakh crore in Panchayat funds, and directly invested in rural development.
'Today, Panchayats can issue certificates like birth, death, and land records digitally. Technology has brought transparency and efficiency to grassroots governance,' PM Modi added.
Praising Bihar's pioneering move to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in Panchayats, PM Modi called it an example of real social justice.
'Thousands of our sisters and daughters from marginalised communities are now decision-makers. This is the true strength of democracy,' he said.
PM Modi highlighted the success of the 'Jeevika Didi' self-help group movement, announcing Rs 1,000 crore in fresh financial assistance for women-led SHGs in Bihar.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone or inaugurated projects in Rail connectivity, including multiple new lines and Amrit Bharat and NaMo Bharat express trains.
PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the LPG bottling plant at Hathua block in Gopalganj district, a project worth Rs 340 crore to enhance bulk LPG transportation and streamline the supply chain.
He also inaugurated projects related to the power sector worth Rs 1,170 crore and Rs 5,030 crore worth of power infrastructure projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
PM Narendra Modi also flagged off new trains -- the Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Mumbai, the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Jaynagar and Patna, and regional connections between Pipra, Saharsa and Samastipur, Supaul-Pipra and Hasanpur-Bithan rail lines, and Rail Overbridges in Chapra and Bagaha and also dedicated the Khagaria-Alauli rail line to the nation.
PM Modi also distributed Rs 930 crore under the Community Investment Fund to over two lakh Self-Help Groups (SHG) in Bihar under Day-NRLM. Linking the event to Bihar's historical legacy, PM Modi said: 'The entire country is connected to the soil of Mithila. The work launched today will create new job opportunities and drive growth in the region.'
A total of 1.5 lakh families in Bihar received new pucca homes under PMAY-G, approval letters for new homes handed over to 15 lakh families nationwide, including 3.5 lakh from Bihar, financial assistance disbursed to 10 lakh poor families across the country, including 80,000 rural and one lakh urban families from Bihar.
'Houses of the poor have been built in villages, roads paved, gas and water connections reached every doorstep. This is modern infrastructure building the foundation of a developed India,' PM Modi stated.
He said that over 12 crore rural families now have tap water connections, 2.5 crore homes have been electrified, and LPG cylinders have reached countless households previously reliant on firewood.
PM Modi hailed the cultural and economic value of Makhana, an aquatic crop native to Mithila: 'Makhana has received the GI (Geographical Indication) tag, officially recognising its origin in Bihar. The Makhana Research Centre has been given national status. A dedicated Makhana Board, announced in the Union Budget, is expected to empower local farmers and boost exports,' he said.
'Makhana is not just food, it's culture. Now, it will also be a source of prosperity,' the Prime Minister emphasised.
PM Modi previewed India Steel 2025, a two-day summit focused on strengthening India's strategic and high-grade steel production, especially for defence and aerospace.
"India was once dependent on imported steel. Today, the steel used in our first indigenous aircraft carrier is made in India. Our Chandrayaan Mission too rode on the strength of Indian steel,' he said proudly.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Best gift for our son': Varanasi couple celebrates kid's birthday aboard Kashmir's first Vande Bharat train
A couple from Varanasi chose a unique way to celebrate their son's sixth birthday inside Kashmir's first-ever Vande Bharat Express train. Rakesh and Neha Jaiswal marked the occasion by cutting a cake with their son Moksh as the train passed over the newly inaugurated Anji Khad Bridge, the tallest railway bridge in India. The celebration coincided with a historic moment for the region. On June 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Vande Bharat Express train to Kashmir, flagging it off from Jammu after the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. Modi also flagged off a train from Srinagar to Katra on the same day. Rakesh Jaiswal told ANI, 'It was a coincidence that it was our son's birthday the same day PM Modi was going to flag off this train. We thought we should celebrate our son's birthday on the first journey of this train so that his birthday becomes memorable for him.' Also read: 'Be aware of this notice': Chinese forecasters ask weather deities to keep skies clear for Children's Day His wife Neha Jaiswal added, 'This is the best gift for our son... We made this plan because of PM Modi.' A video shared by ANI captures the moment: the family can be seen seated inside the Vande Bharat Express, clapping joyfully as young Moksh cuts his birthday cake, creating a memorable moment aboard the inaugural service. The Vande Bharat Express now connects Jammu's Katra with Srinagar, marking a significant milestone in improving connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. Until now, train services in the region operated between Banihal and Baramulla, north of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley, and between Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra in the Jammu region. Also read: 'Revenge' stabbing: Florida man arrested after video shows him knifing shark for stealing his fish
India.com
24 minutes ago
- India.com
Modi govt's big achievement in 11 years, extreme poverty rate drops to..., extremely poor people are from states like...., world bank says...
Modi govt's big achievement in 11 years, extreme poverty rate drops to..., extremely poor people are from states like...., world bank says... According to the latest data of the World Bank, as an important achievement under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made progress in reducing its extreme poverty rate in the last decade. The extreme poverty rate in the country has been recorded to have come down from 27.1 percent in 2011-12 to 5.3 percent in 2022-23. A total of 344.47 million people were living in extreme poverty in India during 2011-12, which has come down to about 75.24 million people during 2022-23. According to the World Bank data, as a significant progress in India, 269 million individuals were lifted out of extreme poverty in about 11 years. 65 percent of India's extremely poor people lived in five states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh during 2011-12. At the same time, these states contributed to two-thirds of the total decline in extreme poverty by 2022-23. The latest World Bank data shows that in absolute terms, the number of people living in extreme poverty has fallen from 344.47 million to just 75.24 million. The World Bank's assessment is based on the international poverty line of $3.00 per day (using 2021 prices), which shows widespread deprivation in both rural and urban areas. According to World Bank estimates, the share of Indians living in extreme poverty at $2.15 per day (the previous poverty line based on 2017 prices) is 2.3 percent, down sharply from 16.2 percent recorded in 2011-12. According to the latest data, the number of people living below the poverty line of $2.15 per day is recorded at 33.66 million in 2022 from 205.93 million in 2011. The data also revealed that this sharp decline was observed uniformly, with rural extreme poverty declining from 18.4 per cent to 2.8 per cent and urban extreme poverty declining from 10.7 per cent to 1.1 per cent in the last 11 years. Moreover, India has also made tremendous progress in reducing multidimensional poverty. According to the data, the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) declined from 53.8 per cent in 2005-06 to 16.4 per cent by 2019-21 and further declined to 15.5 per cent in 2022-23.
Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Govt to boost domestic earth magnet production, provide fiscal incentives amid Chinese export curbs
The government is conducting talks with companies to build long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by providing fiscal incentives for domestic production, according to a report by Reuters citing people aware of the development. This stockpile will help to reduce dependence of India on supplies from China, which curbed exports of rare earth minerals from April 4 onwards, raising concerns among major industries across the globe, particularly the auto industry. Currently, China processes 90% of these magnets, which are also utilised in industries like clean energy and defence. The current NDA government, led by PM Modi, aims to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities and is exploring the possibility of providing production-based fiscal incentives to companies, the report said. A scheme drafted by the Ministry of Heavy Industries plans to partly fund the difference between the final cost of domestically produced magnets and the price of the Chinese imports, it added, citing a person aware of the development. This scheme aims to attain cost parity and enhance local demand. However, the funding for this scheme remains undecided as the government may meet industry officials next week, the report said. The Ministry of Heavy Industries did not officially confirm the development. Livemint could not independently verify the report. The government's move to ramp up domestic production amid concerns across the globe over supply disruption due to Chinese export curbs. Suzuki Motors has halted production of its Swift car in Japan due to restrictions imposed by China. Meanwhile, SIAM, India's auto industry body, has privately informed the government that it anticipates production "to come to a grinding halt" from late May or early June onwards. The Heavy Industries Ministry may also send a delegation of auto industry executives to meet officials in Beijing for quicker approvals over supply concerns, the report said. However, the industry officials cautioned that it was the only near-term solution. "The short-term solution has to be to get Chinese authorities to clear things," an executive told Reuters. 'A radical shift in supply chain is not possible in the short term,' it added. Certain auto manufacturers and their suppliers could potentially remain operational until the end of June. However, beyond that point, the situation may become "really scary," another executive said, who warned that this will impact not only electric vehicles but all types of cars. Notably, India possesses the world's third-largest reserves of rare earths, estimated at 6.9 million tons, according to the US Geological Survey. However, a small amount is extracted due to limited investments from private companies.
