Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai is a symbol of the invaluable contribution of women power in nation building – Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Bhopal: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai is a symbol of the invaluable contribution of women power in nation building. Paying his respectful obeisance to Lokmata Devi Ahilya who brought about a big change in the society, Prime Minister Shri Modi recalled Devi Ahilya’s inspiring statement “Whatever we have got is a debt given by the people – which we have to repay”. He said that our government is working on the same values ​​of Lokmata Ahilyabai, “Nagarik Devo Bhava” is the mantra of governance at present. The 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai is an inspiration for all the countrymen and an opportunity to contribute to the herculean efforts for nation building. Devi Ahilyabai believed that “the purpose of governance is to serve the people and improve their lives”, our government is committed to take this thinking of her forward. Our government is making the vision of women led development the pivot of development, mothers, sisters and daughters are at the center of every major scheme of the government. Four crore houses have been built for the poor in the country and most of these houses are in the name of mothers and sisters, they have become the owners of the house for the first time. The government is providing tap water to every house, electricity and Ujjwala gas have also been provided so that mothers and sisters do not face any inconvenience and daughters can focus on studies. These facilities are a humble effort to honor mothers and sisters. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was addressing the Women Empowerment Maha Sammelan at Jamboori Maidan in Bhopal on the occasion of the 300th birth anniversary year of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.

Prime Minister Shri Modi visited the exhibition focused on Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai. The exhibition showcased the activities conducted by Lokmata Ahilyabai for good governance, women’s self-reliance, upliftment of religious places. Along with this, books and research papers focused on Devi Ahilya were also displayed. Prime Minister Shri Modi interacted with women dedicated to handloom-handicrafts and Drone Didi. Prime Minister Shri Modi also obtained information about the ongoing activities for women empowerment in the state, initiatives being taken by women in the field of rural housing scheme, rural tourism, agriculture etc. and women representation in rural and urban bodies. Prime Minister Shri Modi also observed the activities conducted under infrastructure development in the state, development of various religious places and other development-oriented innovations of the state in the exhibition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi garlanded the statue of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav were present on the occasion. Governor Mangubhai Patel greeted Prime Minister Modi by presenting him a portrait of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar made of zari zardosi. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav welcomed Prime Minister Modi by putting a turban on him and presenting him a Pushpak Viman made of Bhareva craft of Betul district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also welcomed by four women of the state, symbols of women empowerment and self-reliance. In this sequence, Ms. Gyaneshwari Devi, dedicated to the care of cancer patients in Jabalpur, Ms. Prachi Yadav, the first Indian canoeist and Arjun Awardee, Mrs. Aarti Patel, Sarpanch of village Tirla-District Dhar, dedicated to cleanliness and development work at the village level, and Ms. Meenakshi Thakle of Nageshwari Self Help Group Maheshwar, engaged in the production of Maheshwari sarees, greeted him.

Prime Minister Shri Modi presented Devi Ahilya Bai National Award to tribal artist Dr. Jayamati Kashyap of Chhattisgarh. Prime Minister Shri Modi released a postage stamp and a coin of Rs 300 dedicated to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Prime Minister Shri Modi also inaugurated Datia and Satna airports and Indore Metro. Prime Minister Shri Modi also made a virtual transfer of Rs 483 crore under the first installment for the construction of 1271 new Atal Gram Seva Sadan (Panchayat Bhawan) in the state.

Prime Minister Shri Modi said that the launch of Indore Metro and the connectivity of Datia and Satna with air services will increase facilities in Madhya Pradesh, speed up development and also create new employment opportunities. Many development works are being carried out in Madhya Pradesh. Indore, India’s cleanest city, has now got the recognition of Metro. The central government has approved the development of railway lines to expand transport facilities in the Malwa region. With Datia and Satna being connected with air services, darshan of Maa Pitambara and Maa Sharda Devi will become more accessible. Connectivity of Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand will increase. Today India has to increase its hard work and capability with the inspiration of Ahilyabai. Names like Rani Kamlapati, Rani Durgavati, Rani Avantibai, Rani Chennamma fill us with pride. We have to strengthen the foundation of India. Prime Minister Shri Modi said that Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai had preserved the heritage along with development during her tenure. Today’s India is also moving ahead with the same resolve.

Prime Minister Shri Modi said that today daughters are becoming doctors, engineers and scientists. Bank Sakhis are strengthening the banking system in every village. There was a time when women were kept away from new technology but today the sisters of the village are helping in farming by becoming Drone Didi. They are getting a different identity in the village. Earlier women used to hide their diseases so that the burden of treatment does not fall on the family but now women can get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Yojana. In the last 11 years, our central and state governments have empowered women economically. Our government has opened 30 crore Jan Dhan accounts, in which money is being sent to them. Sisters are becoming financially strong. Most of the women taking advantage of Mudra Yojana are entrepreneurs. 10 crore sisters across the country are associated with self-help groups and are earning. The government has pledged to make 3 crore sisters Lakhpati Didi. So far 1.5 crore sisters have become lakhpatis under Namo Drone Yojana. The number of girls studying science and maths in the country is constantly increasing. More than 100 women scientists were involved in the Chandrayaan 3 mission. The number of startups in the country is increasing, 45 percent of these are led by women. For the first time in our government, full-time women became the defense and finance ministers. This time 75 MPs are women, the participation of women representatives is also increasing in panchayats. The same sentiment is behind the Nari Shakti Vandan Act of the government. Now women have been given reservation in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies as well. The Government of India is empowering sisters in every field.

Prime Minister Shri Modi, while paying obeisance to Maa Bharati and the women power, said that I am blessed to have met the mothers and sisters who came in large numbers to attend the Maha Sammelan. Hearing the name of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar brings a feeling of reverence in the mind. Her resolutions teach us that no matter how adverse the circumstances are, they can be accomplished with willpower. 250-300 years ago, when the country was in the shackles of slavery, she completed these works. She always carried a Shivling with her. She took charge of the state in adverse circumstances and gave prosperity to the state. Devi Ahilyabai was the protector of India’s heritage. When our temples and pilgrimage sites were being attacked across the country, she worked to protect them. She built many temples including Kashi Vishwanath. Prime Minister Shri Modi said that it is his good fortune that Kashi has also given him the opportunity to serve. The statue of Devi Ahilyabai can also be seen in Kashi.

Prime Minister Shri Modi said that Devi Ahilyabai adopted such a model of development in which priority was given to the poor and the deprived. She promoted industry, farming and water conservation. Currently, efforts are being made to save every drop of rain through Catch the Rain. Devi Ahilyabai showed us the path of water conservation 250-300 years ago. She inspired farmers to cultivate cotton. Devi Ahilya encouraged farmers to diversify crops in addition to paddy and wheat cultivation. Devi Ahilya set up new industries for Maheshwari sarees. She was a connoisseur of skill; she promoted the saree industry by bringing some weaver families from Junagadh (Gujarat) to Maheshwar. Today Maheshwari saree has become the choice of women of the country. Devi Ahilyabai worked towards social reforms. She always thought about the development of women power. She took steps to stop child marriage. She gave full support to social reformers. She formed a contingent of women in the army of Malwa. During the tenure of Maa Ahilya, women’s village security squads were formed. People of the West try to belittle us in the name of mothers and sisters, but Devi Ahilyabai’s thoughts and actions were dedicated to women’s empowerment. She was a ruler who brought change for nation building. May her blessings remain on all of us.

Prime Minister Shri Modi said that India is a country of culture, Sindoor is our tradition. It is offered to Lord Hanuman and is a symbol of respect for sisters. This same Sindoor has now become a symbol of India’s bravery. In Pahalgam, the terrorists not only shed the blood of Indians, but also attacked our culture. They tried to divide India. The terrorists challenged the Nari Shakti of India, but this power proved fatal for them. Operation Sindoor has not stopped, it is the most successful operation against terrorists. As far as the Pakistani army had not thought, the Indian army has penetrated hundreds of kilometers inside and killed them. Now, whoever helps the terrorists will also have to pay a heavy price for it. Every citizen of India is saying that if you fire a bullet, the bullet will be answered with a shell. Operation Sindoor has become a symbol of the strength of our Nari Shakti.

Prime Minister Shri Modi said that BSF has played a big role in this operation. BSF daughters were handling the front from the border. They have shown amazing bravery by destroying many enemy posts. Today the world is seeing the bravery of India’s daughters in national defense. For the first time, the Government of India has opened the doors of Sainik Schools for girls. Before 2014, only 25 percent of the cadets in NCC were girls. Our government has increased it to 50 percent. He told that just yesterday the first batch of women cadets from NDA has passed out. Now daughters are being deployed on the front. Daughters are handling warships and flying fighter planes. Two brave daughters of the Navy have circumnavigated the world in a boat in 250 days. This boat runs only on air, it shows that no matter how big the challenge is, India’s daughters can overcome it. Daughters are becoming the shield of security even in Naxal operations.

In his welcome address, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the hero of the world’s largest republic, has come to the holy land of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Today is a unique day for us. Lokmata Ahilya Maharani was born 300 years ago. She ruled as an ideal daughter-in-law and an ideal wife. Devi Ahilya explained the difference between the wealth of the home and the wealth of the government. If we look at her tenure, today the entire governance system is running on the basis of the good governance of Ahilya Mata. If we look at the last 500 years in Madhya Pradesh, Rani Durgavati of Gondwana defeated Akbar thrice. Similarly, Rani Avantibai also never compromised with self-respect in front of the Mughals. Rajmata Scindia of Gwalior also strengthened Indian democracy. Prime Minister Shri Modi increased the prestige of the state by giving the responsibility of Lok Sabha Speaker to Sumitra Tai of Indore. Today the President is also a woman. Programs are being organized across the country on the occasion of the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilya Devi.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, the Indian Army has defeated the terrorist government and terrorists. The whole country is congratulating you. The terrorists who destroyed the vermilion of sisters have been taught a lesson. He said that India has achieved the feat of becoming the fourth largest economy of the world by leaving Japan behind. The Madhya Pradesh government is working hand in hand with the central government for the welfare of every section including the poor, farmers, youth and women. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, India will reach the top in the world.

Deputy Chief Ministers, Mr. Jagdish Devda and Mr. Rajendra Shukla, MP Khajuraho Mr. V.D. Sharma, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Mr. Prahlad Singh Patel, Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Mr. Chaitanya Kumar Kashyap, Public Health Engineering Minister Mrs. Sampatiya Uike, Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Nirmala Bhuria, Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Mrs. Krishna Gaur, Culture Tourism Religious Trust Minister Mr. Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Mrs. Pratima Bagri, Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development Mrs. Radha Singh, Bhopal MP Mr. Alok Sharma and Bhopal Mayor Mrs. Malti Rai were present in the program. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Shri Tokhan Sahu and State Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya from Indore, Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur and State Minister for Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Shri Andal Singh Kansana from Datia, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol from Satna and State Minister of State for Cottage and Village Industries Shri Dilip Jaiswal participated virtually in the program.