Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, government’s top most priority is to ensure that the poorest of the poor receive best medical treatment. He said, crores of people are benefiting from free medical treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The Prime Minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre at Nagpur in Maharashtra. He also highlighted the importance of Janaushadhi Kendras, where poor and middle-class citizens can access affordable medicines. Further emphasizing the government’s focus on healthcare, the Prime Minister added that the number of medical colleges and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country has doubled in recent years, with medical seats increasing threefold.
Mr Modi said, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers are working selflessly in various spheres and parts of the country. He highlighted their disciplined efforts during disaster management, comparing them to soldiers in the field. The Prime Minister also highlighted the contributions of RSS founders Dr Keshav Hedgewar and Madhavrao Golwalkar in inspiring the national spirit in India. He described the RSS as the ‘banyan tree’ of India’s immortal culture and modernisation.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present on the occasion.
Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre is a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute and Research Centre. Established in 2014, it is a premier super-specialty ophthalmic care facility located in Nagpur. The upcoming project will feature a 250-bed hospital, 14 outpatient departments, and 14 modular operation theatres, with an aim to provide affordable and world-class eye care services to the people.
Later, Prime Minister Modi also visited the Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited’s ammunition facility in Nagpur. He inaugurated the newly-built 1250 metre long and 25 metre wide airstrip for Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the live munition and warhead testing facility to test the Loitering Munition and other guided munitions.
Earlier, Mr Modi visited Deekshabhoomi and paid homage to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Deekshabhoomi is the place where Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his followers in 1956.
In his message penned in the visitors’ diary at the venue, Prime Minister Modi said, building a developed and inclusive Bharat will be the true tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar. He further said that Deekshabhoomi energises people to move ahead with a system of equal rights and justice for the poor, less privileged and the needy.
The Prime Minister also visited Smruti Mandir in Nagpur this morning and paid homage at memorials dedicated to the founding fathers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Dr Keshav Hedgewar and Madhavrao Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji. Mr. Modi’s visit coincides with the Sangh’s Pratipada programme, marking Gudi Padwa, the beginning of the Hindu New Year.
Founded in 1925 by Dr.Keshav Hedgewar at Nagpur, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is celebrating its centenary this year.
From Maharashtra, the Prime Minister will travel to Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh at around 3:30 PM, to lay the foundation stone, and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over 33,700 crore rupees. The projects are related to power, oil and gas, rail, road, education and housing sectors. Special focus will be on development of multiple rail and road projects to improve connectivity, especially in the tribal and industrial regions of Chhattisgarh. In a major boost to education infrastructure in the region, Prime Minister will dedicate 130 PM SHRI Schools across 29 districts in Chhattisgarh. Realising the vision of Housing for all, Griha Pravesh of 3 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) will be held in Chhattisgarh. Prime Minister Modi will also address a public meeting.
