SABKA Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas and Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai. These are the two new slogans which Prime Minister Narendra Modi added on August 15 tothe repertoire of catchy phrases that he uses to convey his man kibaatto the countrymen. Delivering a power-packed speech on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, the Prime Minister listed the achievements of his Government and talked about India@100. This future-gazing with confidence can prove to be a master stroke for the BJP Government in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Dwelling at length on development for all, the Prime Minister spoke of the need to focus on Antyodaya. It was in 2014 that he had announced commemoration of the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on September 25 as Antyodaya Diwas. Focusing on skill development, he said people working in the unorganised sector needed special help and attention so that their lives could improve.
To help artisans who are associated with traditional professions, work with hands, and are contributing to keeping Indian crafts alive and well, he announced a new scheme, called the ‘Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana’ to provide financial help, establish the identity of craftspersons and give their skills a place in the market.
Under this scheme, a loan of Rs 1 lakh will be provided at 5 percent interest and then more money will be made available in the next phase. The scheme will be launched next month on Vishwakarma Jayanti, i.e., on September 17. The Government will make an allocation of Rs 13,000 crore – Rs 15,000 crore for this scheme. It is expected to specially benefit people who are working as barbers, washermen, carpenters, masons and street vendors etc. The aim is to nurture artisans and craftsmen with traditional skills and improve their products by linking them with domestic and global markets.
Today’s Vishwakarmas can become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, said the PM. The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojanais meant to empower workers in Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes categories, women, and weaker sections of society. This segment has a large voter base in the country. In such a situation, the success of the Vishwakarma Yojana can also give an advantage to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Prime Minister also mentioned another important scheme in his address. He informed that the Government will soon launch a scheme to provide agriculture drones to thousands of women-led self-help groups. The women will be trained to fly drones as well as repair them. This scheme will bring about a big change in rural areas, and can prove to be very important in the direction of women empowerment.
Initially, the scheme will be launched among 15,000 women’s self-help groups. About 10 crore women in the country are associated with self-help groups. PM Modi said that women-led development will take the country forward. His dream is that two crore women should become millionaires, and the Government is considering various measures to achieve this goal.
This scheme will not only empower women but also create a large support group for the BJP Government. All that is needed now is to seriously implement these schemes on the ground.
