Our government is committed to ensuring women’s participation in the country’s policy-making: PM
The mission to build a developed India continues relentlessly; and when I talk about a Viksit Bharat its strongest pillar is India’s Nari Shakti: PM
As the Member of Parliament from Kashi and as the Prime Minister of the nation, I seek your blessings to achieve a significant goal in the national interest and this major goal is implementing women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies: PM
Our government’s policies have consistently accorded top priority to women’s welfare: PM
Alongside ensuring convenience and security, we have laid emphasis on enhancing the economic participation of women: PM
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed a massive gathering of women at a convention in Varanasi, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth thousands of crores of rupees.
Describing the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister noted that Kashi is the land of divine powers including Mother Shringar Gauri, Mother Annapurna, Mother Vishalakshi, Mother Sankatha, and Mother Ganga. The massive gathering of sisters and daughters had transformed the event into something truly sacred. “On this land of Kashi, I bow to all of you mothers, sisters, and daughters of Kashi,” remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting that the occasion celebrated both Nari Shakti and development, the Prime Minister noted that projects covering every type of development in Kashi had been inaugurated, along with works enhancing connectivity between Kashi and Ayodhya. Two Amrit Bharat trains, from Kashi to Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai, were flagged off, providing modern connectivity options for people across Maharashtra to reach these holy cities. “This will further improve connectivity between UP and Maharashtra, giving people another modern option to reach Ayodhya Dham and Kashi Vishwanath Dham,” stated Shri Modi.
Emphasising the critical role of women in nation-building, the Prime Minister described Nari Shakti as the strongest pillar of Viksit Bharat. He sought the blessings of the gathering for achieving a major national goal, implementing reservation for women in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. “I assure you that I will leave no stone unturned in ensuring your reservation right becomes reality,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Underlining the transformative power of women’s empowerment, the Prime Minister noted that when a woman is empowered in the household, the entire family gains strength, which in turn strengthens society and the country. Reflecting on the historical barriers faced by Indian women, the Prime Minister recalled the dismissive questions and commands that generations of girls have endured, questions about capability, necessity, and propriety. Acknowledging that such discrimination was not limited to Kashi but present throughout the entire nation, he noted that society had normalized this injustice. “These obstacles were simply accepted as the natural order, and this must change,” asserted Shri Modi.
Recalling his commitment to breaking regressive perceptions, the Prime Minister shared that 25 years ago when he became Chief Minister of Gujarat, he launched two pioneering schemes for girls, Shala Praveshotsav to ensure more girls attend and complete school, and Mukhyamantri Kanya Kelavani Nidhi to help with their fees. “From then until today, women’s welfare has been given the highest priority in our government’s policies continuously,” noted Shri Modi.
Detailing the comprehensive welfare initiatives since 2014, the Prime Minister highlighted that over 12 crore toilets were built, bank accounts were opened for more than 30 crore sisters, electricity connections were provided to more than 2.5 crore homes, and tap water reached more than 12 crore households. These initiatives placed sisters and daughters at the centre of national development, including schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Mudra Yojana, Matru Vandana Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat. “Sisters and daughters were placed at the centre of every major scheme, reflecting our true commitment,” noted Shri Modi.
Highlighting a successful campaign in Kashi, the Prime Minister recalled that two years ago, Sukanya Samriddhi accounts were opened for 27,000 girls in just one month, with Rs 300 transferred to each account. The scheme has strengthened girls’ education while Mudra Yojana has ensured their earnings, and for the first time, crores of sisters have property registered in their names through PM Awas Yojana. “Today our mothers and sisters are truly becoming the owners of their homes,” remarked Shri Modi.
Emphasising that convenience and security form the foundation of empowerment, the Prime Minister contrasted the current situation in UP with the past when it was difficult for girls to even step out of their homes. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has provided new confidence with quick decisions in crimes against women, while the network of women police stations and counseling centres continues to expand. “Anyone with wrong intentions toward daughters now knows very well what their fate will be,” stated Shri Modi.
Underlining the importance of economic empowerment, the Prime Minister noted that when women’s economic power increases, their voice in the household becomes equally strong. In the past 11 years, nearly 10 crore women have been connected to Self-Help Groups, including about 1.25 lakh sisters in Kashi, with lakhs of rupees in assistance enabling them to work independently. “Through such efforts, 3 crore sisters so far have become Lakhpati Didis, including thousands from Banaras,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Highlighting the dairy sector’s contribution to women’s empowerment, the Prime Minister congratulated lakhs of sisters associated with Banas Dairy who received Rs 106 crore directly as bonus today. Encouraging women in Kashi’s dairy sector to expand their work, he expressed confidence in continued growth. “This is just the beginning, Banaras will grow, Banas Dairy will grow, and this bonus will also keep increasing,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Describing how the government is positioning women as change-makers, the Prime Minister highlighted efforts to make them self-reliant and entrust them with the leadership of campaigns to build a Viksit Bharat. He observed that Banking Sakhis are advancing digital payments, Insurance Sakhis are leading insurance initiatives, Krishi Sakhis are promoting natural farming, and Namo Drone Didis are spearheading the agricultural drone revolution. Furthermore, new avenues have opened up for daughters in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Sainik Schools, and defence academies. “Our government means women’s empowerment, women’s upliftment, and making women’s lives easier,” asserted Shri Modi.
Emphasising that women deserve greater roles in policy-making and national decision-making given their excellence across all fields, the Prime Minister noted that the idea of sisters’ participation was a major reason behind building the new Parliament. The first work after the new Parliament was built was passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act in 2023, providing 33 percent reservation for women after being stuck for 40 years. “Now it is necessary that this law be implemented as soon as possible,” stated Shri Modi.
Expressing disappointment over recent parliamentary proceedings, the Prime Minister noted that a constitutional amendment was brought to enable more women to reach Vidhan Sabha and Parliament, but could not be passed. Expressing satisfaction, the Prime Minister pointed to record voting by women in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
Outlining the government’s citizen-centric approach with the mantra of “Nagarik Devo Bhava,” the Prime Minister emphasised that education, earnings, healthcare, irrigation, and grievance redressal remain the top priorities. He noted that with this sentiment, Kashi’s development has been expanded today with multiple significant projects. “The signature bridge being built on the Ganga will strengthen Purvanchal’s connectivity,” observed Shri Modi.
Pointing out Kashi’s emergence as a major health hub for North and Eastern India over the past decade, the Prime Minister stated that the 500-bed multi-super speciality hospital will further strengthen the healthcare ecosystem. Additionally, he mentioned that the foundation stone for a 100-bed critical care block has also been laid. “This will add a massive facility in Kashi for treating serious illnesses,” observed Shri Modi.
Describing the comprehensive and sensitive nature of Kashi’s development, the Prime Minister listed various initiatives including cleaning of the Ganga, development of ghats, construction of governance buildings, storage facilities for farmers in Harhua and Bhawanipur, old age homes, and women’s hostels. “All these projects directly benefit Banaras’s residents and reflect our commitment to sensitive, people-centric development,” remarked Shri Modi.
Emphasising the continuous campaign to strengthen Kashi’s heritage and legacy, the Prime Minister highlighted the development of Sant Kabir Sthali and restoration of Sant Ravidas Park in Nagwa as integral parts of this effort. “These are part of our ongoing campaign to preserve and strengthen our heritage,” stated Shri Modi.
Concluding his address by drawing a parallel between Kashi’s eternal nature and the ongoing development campaign, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the gathering for their blessings while extending best wishes for the development works being undertaken. “Our Kashi is imperishable and runs continuously, similarly, this campaign of development is also continuously dynamic,” affirmed Shri Modi.
