New Delhi, Sept 30: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched a unique week-long programme for Aspirational Blocks in the country called ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. He also launched the Aspirational Blocks Programme Portal and inaugurated the exhibition showcased on the occasion.
The Prime Minister also interacted with three Block Level Officers, one of them was Shri Mikehenchard Ch Momin from Meghalaya. While interacting with Shri Momin, Jr. Rural Development Officer from Resubelpara, North Garo Hills, Meghalaya, the Prime Minister inquired about the solutions to the difficulties faced due to the extreme weather conditions in the region. Shri Momin mentioned issuing preliminary orders to stock up on essential goods and creating a team to monitor the progress.
Upon the Prime Minister’s inquiry about the changes in the quality of the output brought by the introduction of regional designs and owner-driven construction in PM-Awas (Gramin) to improve ease of living, Shri Momin replied in the affirmative.
When the Prime Minister asked about the production and marketing of cashews produced in the region, Shri Momin said that cashew produced in the region is of top quality throughout the nation and mentioned MNREGA and self-help groups being used to encourage its production.
Shri Momin also urged the Prime Minister to set up more cashew processing units in the region. The Prime Minister also touched upon the popularity of music in the region to increase awareness. He underlined the critical role of Gram Panchayat in the Aspirational Block and District programme.
“In any list of the top 10 programmes of Independent India, the Aspirational District Programme will figure in golden letters,” said the Prime Minister. The Aspirational District Programme has transformed the lives of about 25 crore people in 112 districts, he said.
The success of this programme became the basis of the Aspirational Blocks programme, he added, mentioning the global accolades for the programme. The Prime Minister underlined that the Aspirational Blocks programme is bound to be a huge success not only because the scheme is unprecedented, but also because the people working towards it are prodigious.
Recalling his interaction with the three Block Level Officers a while ago, the Prime Minister highlighted that his self-confidence increased manifold after witnessing the morale of those working on the ground level.
Shri Modi emphasized that he wishes to work alongside the ground-level officers as a member of their team and expressed confidence that the goals of the programme will be achieved before time.
Prime Minister Modi underlined that the programme will be meticulously monitored by him not because he wants to test their skills but because the successes on the ground level give him more energy and enthusiasm to work tirelessly. “The progress chart of the Aspirational District programme became an inspiration for me,” he added.
Noting the completion of five years of the Aspirational District Programme, the Prime Minister expressed happiness about the third-party evaluation of the programme. Mentioning the simple strategy of the programme, the Prime Minister said that these are the lessons in meeting the challenging tasks of governance.
Emphasizing the importance of holistic development, the Prime Minister said that all parts and regions of the country should be looked after. “Absence of all-encompassing development, touching everyone, benefitting all may show numerical development but basic development does not take place. That is why it is important that we should move while covering every grassroots parameter.”
‘Sankalp Saptaah’ is linked to the effective implementation of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). The Prime Minister launched the nationwide programme on January 7, 2023. It aims to improve governance at the block level in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens.
It is being implemented in 500 Aspirational Blocks across 329 districts in the country. Chintan shivirs were organized at village and block levels across the country to implement the Aspirational Blocks Programme and to prepare an effective block development strategy. The ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ is a culmination of these chintan shivirs.
‘Sankalp Saptaah’ will be observed in all of the 500 Aspirational Blocks. Each day in ‘Sankalp Saptaah’, from 3rd October till 9th October 2023, is dedicated to a specific development theme on which all Aspirational Blocks will work.
The themes for the first six days include ‘Sampoorna Swasthya’, ‘Suposhit Pariwaar’, ‘Swachhta’, ‘Krishi’, ‘Shiksha’, and ‘Samridhi Diwas’. The last day of the week i.e., October 9, 2023, will be a celebration of the work conducted during the entire week, as ‘Sankalp Saptaah – Samavesh Samaroh’.
The inaugural programme will witness the participation of about 3,000 panchayat and block-level people’s representatives and functionaries from across the country in Bharat Mandapam. In addition, nearly two lakh people including block and panchayat level functionaries, farmers, and persons from other walks of life, will join the programme virtually.
