PM Modi says Bijapur will no longer be known as backward, appeals naxals to give up arms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invoked Dr. BR Ambedkar and said that Bijapur will no longer be known as a backward district, while appealing to the weaker sections of the society not to join Naxals.

“Bijapur was labelled a backward district. So were more than 100 other districts in the country. After so many years of independence these districts still remain backward. Ambedkar's Constitution had provided many opportunities for development of these districts but still they remained backward. I want to make these districts not only 'abhilashi' (aspirational) but also 'mahtvakanshi' (ambitious) so that they emerge as a development model,” said the prime minister.

Boosting the confidence of the Bijapur crowd, Modi said, “These three months have passed. If all people of the district and local administration, public representatives make an effort together then something which has not be done in the past 70 years can be achieved in a short time.”

Leading the crowd into cheer of Jai Bhim, PM Modi said, “Bastar aur Bijapur ke aasman mein Babasaheb ke naam ki goonj humein, aap sabhi ko dhanya kar rahi hai. Unke goonj mein jo aasha judi hai, jo akanksha judi hai, main pranam karta hoon (The chant of Babasaheb’s name in Bastar and Bijapur has made me and all of you blessed. I bow to the hope and aspiration that’s associated with that chant).”

The prime minister was in Bijapur to inaugurate a health awareness centre at the primary level titled Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Mission, which is the first of the kind among the proposed 1.5 lakh centres at the village level across the country under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

PM Modi, in his speech, said that the Centre had always worked in the favour of the poor, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, downtrodden, oppressed, deprived, backward, and women.

“We want the benefits of our schemes to reach the last person and that is why the Gram Suraj Abhiyan will be held from today to May 5. I have confidence that on Babasaheb Jayanti, the schemes that we have launched will create new frontiers of development,” Modi said.

The health and wellness centres will offer free diabetes, cancer, and hypertension check-up, along with other diseases. The centres will be equipped with teleconferencing technology for consultations between the mid-level professionals posted there and the doctors at the district hradquarters.

PM Modi, along with inaugurating the health and wellness centre, flagged off a train from Bhabupratppur railway station in Kanker district vio video conferencing.

Modi said, “Babasahab could have lived a life of great comfort. But he did not do this. After studying in a foreign land, he came back and he gave his life for the backward classes, Dalits and Adivasis. He wanted to give Dalits their rights, and the opportunity to live an equal life… If your friend is the country’s PM today, it’s because of Babasaheb.”

Modi, while giving his speech, also appealed to Maoists to give up the violence path and live a dignitary life.

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Modi said, “I want to tell the youth who have taken to the path of violence that Babasaheb has given us the Constitution, all the protection you want is in the Constitution. To worry about your rights is the responsibility of the government. You do not need to ruin your life. I want to say to their mothers and fathers, your daughters and sons have walked down this path. But ask who their head is. Not one of them is from your area. They have not been born on your soil. They have come from outside. They don’t fight. They live in the forests and hide while your children are out and die. Do you want to trust such people and ruin your children’s lives? The government is duty-bound to protect your interests. We have to go on the path of development.”

Apart from the first phase of Ayushman Bharat scheme, Modi launched the Van Dhan scheme proclaimed in the budget. Under the scheme, Van Vikas Kendras will be set up to ensure better marketing and value addition to forest produce.

PM Modi, along with launching these new schemes, launched a row of projects like Internet services, roads, and bridges in the city.