Bapu’s Life Is Unique Message For Entire Humanity: President Murmu

A definitive surge has been reported in household consumption in tier 2, 3 and 4 cities and even beyond, evidenced by the sales growth of two-wheelers, ACs, refrigerators, smartphones and FMCGs in small towns and cities.

According to FM Sitharaman, “Rural India is no longer a passive observer of India’s growth, it is an active driver of it”.

The Finance Minister said that under the PMJDY, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, over 53 crore bank accounts have been opened, bringing millions of rural Indians into the formal financial system for the first time.

With more than 80 per cent of Indian adults now holding formal financial accounts, up from a mere 50 per cent in 2011, PM Modi has spearheaded the most transformative financial inclusion drive in modern Indian history, she noted.

Reports mention that 62 per cent of two-wheeler purchases in rural India are now driven by credit, crossing urban figures at 58 per cent. There has been a noticeable growth in electronics and smartphone sales too. According to the industry, various consumer financing options have made this stupendous growth possible.

According to the government, these bank accounts have garnered a deposit balance of Rs 2.3 lakh crore and resulted in the issuance of over 36 crore free-of-cost RuPay cards, which also provide for a Rs 2 lakh accident insurance cover.

The total number of PMJDY accounts has risen from 14.7 crore with deposits of Rs 15,670 crore in March 2015 to 53 crore with a total balance of Rs 2.31 lakh crore. The rise in both account numbers and deposits underscores the scheme's role in driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

According to FM Sitharaman, India’s rural population was abandoned by a system that "paid lip service to financial inclusion", and even blocked expansion of such credit access to the poor.

"It took the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring the rural poor into the financial system and unlock their potential. The opposition blocked progress while PM Modi empowered rural India with pro-poor reforms and welfare policies,” she mentioned.

The RBI said recently that household consumption is poised to grow faster in the second quarter of the current fiscal (FY25) as headline inflation eases, “with a revival of rural demand already taking hold”. (IANS) 

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The event will witness the participation of 24 countries from 6 continents and will feature 16 men's and 16 women's teams who will come together to celebrate the spirit of Kho Kho and foster global unity.

Kho Kho has its roots in India, and this World Cup will highlight the rich cultural heritage and competitive spirit of the sport. In recent times, the sport that started in the mud and has gone to the mat now has a global presence, with 54 countries playing the sport across the world.

Ahead of the World Cup, the KKFI plans to take the sport to 200 elite schools across 10 cities to promote the sport. The federation will also run a membership drive for the school students with the aim of registering at least 50 lakh players ahead of the World Cup.

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event and said that the tournament will bring nations together.

"We are incredibly excited to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup. This tournament is not just about competition; it's about bringing nations together, promoting cultural exchange, and showcasing the beauty and intensity of Kho Kho to the world. Our ultimate goal is to see Kho Kho recognized as an Olympic sport by 2032, and this World Cup is the first step towards that dream," Mittal was quoted in a release from the Kho Kho Federation of India as saying.

The tournament will feature a week-long series of matches, with top-tier athletes from across the globe demonstrating their skills, agility, and teamwork.

Meanwhile, the Kho Kho World Cup aims to elevate this indigenous Indian sport to an international stage. By hosting this landmark tournament, the KKFI aspires to secure Kho Kho's place in the Olympic Games by the 2032 edition, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history. (ANI)

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The event marks the completion of 10 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission, a significant mass movement for cleanliness initiated by the Prime Minister in 2014.

During the event, PM Modi launched various projects related to sanitation and cleanliness worth over Rs 90,600 crore, including projects under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, and 15 Compressed Biogas Plant projects under the GOBARdhan Scheme.

The theme for Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, 'Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata', highlights the nation's renewed commitment to cleanliness, public health, and environmental sustainability.

In his address, PM Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, stating, "The dream of India that Gandhiji and other prominent figures of the country envisioned motivates us to fulfil that dream today."

Reflecting on the 10-year journey of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he expressed gratitude to the citizens, sanitation workers, religious leaders, sports figures, NGOs, and media for embracing the mission as their own and turning it into a mass movement.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the contributions of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, former Presidents and Vice Presidents, Chief Ministers, and public representatives in advancing the mission.

He highlighted the recent 'Seva Pakhwada,' which saw more than 27 lakh events and over 28 crore participants, underscoring the mission's widespread impact.

Labelling the mission a "Jan Andolan" (mass movement), PM Modi reflected on the early days of the campaign, noting how it energised citizens of all ages.

He recalled discussing cleanliness extensively on his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program and receiving numerous suggestions from the public on hygiene and sanitation.

"In Mann Ki Baat, I talked about cleanliness almost 800 times. People send letters and suggestions for cleanliness and hygiene," he said.

PM Modi also criticised past leaders for neglecting Mahatma Gandhi's emphasis on cleanliness, stating that while Gandhi championed a clean India during the independence struggle, "those who claimed to follow his teachings ignored the importance of sanitation."

He highlighted how the lack of toilets and sanitary facilities disproportionately impacted women and children, stressing the mission's success in addressing these issues.

The event celebrated India's decade-long achievements in sanitation, as well as the accomplishments of the recently concluded Swachhata Hi Seva campaign.

It set the stage for the next phase of the national cleanliness drive, with widespread participation from local governments, women's groups, youth organisations, and community leaders.

Under Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, over 19 lakh programs have been completed with the involvement of more than 17 crore people.

Around 6.5 lakh Cleanliness Target Units have been transformed, nearly one lakh SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir camps have been organised, benefiting over 30 lakh Safai Mitras, and over 45 lakh trees have been planted under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. (IANS) 

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