New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a special event in Lucknow after unveiling the statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Lok Bhawan in the UP capital on his 95th birth anniversary on Wednesday. He also laid the foundation stone for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University in the Uttar Pradesh capital. The state government has given 50 acres of land for the varsity. The event coincided with the birth anniversary of Vajpayee, who represented Lucknow in the Lok Sabha five times -- 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004.
Earlier in Delhi, Modi launched the Atal Bhujal Scheme for better management of groundwater, stressing on the need to use technology which helps prevent wastage of water in various spheres, including agriculture. He also named Rohtang passageway in Himachal Pradesh as Atal Tunnel to mark the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
PM Modi in Lucknow | UPDATES:
"I request and tell these protesters that if good roads, facilities, and a clean sewerage system is a citizen's right, maintaining them correctly is their responsibility as well," says PM.
"Everyone who has protested violently and has vandalized property in recent times must ask himself, was this the right way?" asks PM.
About 2 crore houses have been built for the poor people of India. We're working very hard to provide a house to the people who do not have one. Roads and railway connectivity are being extended and the work is being done at great speed: PM.
"From 2014 to 2019, we've challenged the challenges. More than half of India's population did not have toilets. Today, almost every family has one. Every family has gas connections today. Everyone has electricity," says Modi.
"The Ramjanmabhoomi case had gone on for decades. It finally ended, peacefully. The 130 crore people of India have also found the solution for the religiously-persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who turned to India as refugees," says the PM.
"India is entering the new decade with unprecedented success. We're perpetually trying to solve the problems of the past. We had Article 370, it was our responsibility to solve them, and we did," says the PM.
Now that we're entering a new decade, we must remember Atal Ji's saying: 'The judgement of a generation's contribution to India's growth will be based on 2 parameters. Solving problems we have got from the past & how strong a base have we built for India from our initiative.': PM.
In the last few years, over 2 dozen medical colleges have been approved for UP. They have either started functioning or are being built. National Poshan Abhiyan is one of the several schemes working for healthcare of children and mothers: Modi.
There have been a record number of increase in medical seats in the last few years. This year, we've approved 75 new medical colleges in India. This takes forward our vision of having at least one medical college every 3 Lok Sabha seats' region: PM.
"11 lakh people have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat only in UP. The Jan-Aushadhi Yojana is providing medicines at a cheaper price. People who have to buy medicines regularly are Rs 1000-1500 per month. People are liking the medicines provided under this Yojana," says Modi.
Due to Ayushman Bharat, about 70 lakh poor people of India have been accorded free treatment. It is the world's largest healthcare scheme. The number of beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat is larger than the entire population of US, Canada & Mexico: PM.
For the development of health sector in UP and India, our vision and direction have been clear since day one. We have concentrated on health-related facilities and healthcare equally: PM Modi.
The Atal Medical University will give a new lease of life to medical education in Uttar Pradesh. The University will better the quality of medical education in Uttar Pradesh: PM Modi.
As MP, Atal ji had started several works to develop Lucknow. Rajnath Singh is continuing on his legacy and is taking care of the developmental work that was started by the former PM: PM.
The Atal Medical University has been inaugurated in Lucknow as well. This place was his working ground for a long time. A feel immensely lucky to be here today: PM.
"I started the Atal Jal Yojana before coming in Lucknow. It is worth Rs 6,000 crore. It will be implemented in 7 states across India including Uttar Pradesh. It will help in rehabilitation of groundwater level," says PM Modi.
