- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 at Bharat Mandapam today, emphasizing the importance of transforming villages into dynamic centers of growth and celebrating the essence of rural India.
Running from January 4 to 9, this six-day festival will include workshops, discussions, and cultural performances that highlight India’s heritage while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and economic resilience in rural areas. The event, themed “Building a Resilient Rural India for Viksit Bharat 2047” and carrying the motto “Gaon Badhe, Toh Desh Badhe” (If the village progresses, the country progresses), aims to empower rural communities through innovation, infrastructure development, women’s empowerment, and financial inclusion, with a particular focus on the North-East.
In his address, PM Modi highlighted the potential of rural India, stating, “Those of us connected to villages know their immense power. The village lives within those who reside there.”
He outlined his government’s efforts over the past decade to uplift rural areas, from economic policies to specific initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers, especially the rising global prices of DAP fertilizers, and reassured them of the government’s commitment to alleviating their burdens.
“Our goal is to provide maximum economic support to villagers while creating new employment and self-employment opportunities. Over Rs 3 lakh crore has been disbursed to farmers through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, and agricultural loan amounts have increased 3.5 times in the last ten years,” he stated.
PM Modi also emphasized the role of cooperatives in enhancing rural economies, noting that 70,000 cooperative societies are being digitized to ensure better prices for farmers. He mentioned the Vishwakarma Yojana, which aids artisans such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and potters by training them in new skills, boosting productivity, and providing affordable assistance.
“In the last decade, we have consistently raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops. Initiatives like the Svamitva Scheme have also provided property papers to villagers, while policies supporting MSMEs and the Credit Link Guarantee Scheme have stimulated local economies,” he added.
The Prime Minister shared insights from a recent survey, revealing that rural consumption has nearly tripled since 2011.
“The purchasing power of rural households has significantly improved. For the first time, rural spending on food has dropped to less than 50% of income, allowing for increased expenditure on other essentials,” he explained.
Highlighting the narrowing gap between rural and urban areas, PM Modi remarked, “The disparity in consumption between urban and rural areas is decreasing. Efforts over the past decade have yielded tangible results. A recent study by the State Bank of India shows that rural poverty, which was 26% in 2012, has now fallen to less than 5%.”
PM Modi stressed the significance of border villages, referring to them as “first villages,” and advocated for equal development for tribal areas under the PM JANMAN Yojana.
“For decades, rural SC, ST, and OBC communities faced neglect, resulting in migration and poverty. Our initiatives are reversing these trends,” he stated.
Women’s empowerment was another key focus, with PM Modi commending the impact of “Bank Sakhis” and “Insurance Sakhis” in transforming rural economies.
“We have empowered 1.15 crore women as ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ earning over Rs 1 lakh annually. Our target is to elevate 3 crore women to this status while implementing special schemes for Dalit and tribal women,” he said.
He highlighted improvements in rural infrastructure, noting the construction of nearly 4 lakh kilometers of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. He also pointed out the digital revolution in villages, with over 94% of rural households now having access to mobile services.
“Banking services and UPI are available in villages, and Common Service Centres have expanded from less than 1 lakh in 2014 to over 5 lakh today, providing numerous government services online,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also praised NABARD’s efforts in supporting initiatives like self-help groups and the Kisan Credit Scheme. He called for the establishment of more Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives like Amul to enhance agricultural profitability.
“Milk production has become one of the highest revenue sources for farmers. We are advancing natural farming in mission mode to ensure sustainable practices,” he noted.
The Grameen Bharat Mahotsav celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural heritage of rural India while promoting economic stability, financial security, and gender equality. With a focus on North-East India, the event aims to equip rural populations to contribute to India’s progress and realize the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
