Published By : Admin | December 3, 2013 | 17:50 IST
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"“People’s participation is the key, and a united effort is the need of the hour: Shri Modi"
"“Strength comes from uniting, and my effort is focused at eliminating the discrepancy arising in collaboration:” Shri Modi"
"Nearly Rs. 5500-5600 crores has been allotted for the healthcare segment in the current year, as opposed to Rs. 1200-1300 crore allotted in 2007-08."
The need for a holistic approach towards comprehensive healthcare was the crux of Shri Narendra Modi’s address at the conference on ‘Healthy Gujarat ‘Agenda for Action’. Conducted at Mahatma Mandir on December 3, the conference, which focused on charting a progressive approach for the medical spectrum, had Shri Modi highlighting the significance of an inclusive approach to facilitate the reach of better healthcare services to the rural and urban population of Gujarat.
Stating that singular approaches would not suffice in giving desired results, Shri Modi urged the medical fraternity of the state to come together, whilst encouraging all government departments to unite in the direction of providing holistic and comprehensive medical services. “Our goal is to have a ‘Swastha Samaj’, which promises good health to its residents. Our effort is aimed at collaborating with all government departments, charting a roadmap for further action, resource mobilization, and ensuring optimum utilization of human capital, to achieve the desired results. Only if this happens, will the State be able to take a quantum jump in the healthcare sector,” said Shri Modi.
Citing the example of preventive healthcare wherein the aspect of cleanliness assumes supreme significance, Shri Modi stressed that all efforts to ensure impediment of diseases will go in vain if a particular department does not follow the required cleanliness standards. “Strength comes from uniting, and my effort is focused at eliminating the discrepancy arising in collaboration. In the context of health, we need to sensitize all departments, initiate coordination, facilitate cooperation and make them proactive,” said Shri Modi.
Underscoring Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on cleanliness, Shri Modi encouraged the medical fraternity to focus on achieving the status of - ‘Swachch Gujarat, Nirmal Gujarat’. “Let us affirm that when we celebrate Gandhiji's 150th birth anniversary, we will have a movement for a clean Gujarat. The medical fraternity of Gujarat needs to dedicate atleast one hour every week and take an initiative at raising awareness on social and personal hygiene by conducting classes in schools and rural areas. As important as personal hygiene is social hygiene. We need to create an atmosphere for awareness on both. Improvement in urban health could also be brought upon by individual initiatives, whereby doctors from across the state come together once in a month, and discuss about the disease patterns in their region. This step will go a long way in preventing the breakout of epidemics, as timely intervention and coordination with various departments could be facilitated.”
“My focus is not merely a beautiful city, but a city that’s made beautiful on the parameters of good health and cleanliness,” stressed Shri Modi, while calling upon the members of the healthcare segment to collaborate and create a healthier society by the year 2022, when the Nation will celebrate 75 years of freedom. Shri Modi also mentioned about the need to avail the benefits of the ‘Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana’.
Stating the current-day relevance of technology intervention in the healthcare segment, Shri Modi spoke about the need to train the medical fraternity, and proposed the provision of a personal e-library to medicos and hospitals, so as to facilitate easy and quick access to the latest updates on healthcare, globally. He underlined the need for knowledge dissemination by the State’s renowned doctors, whilst underscoring the importance of providing prompt medical services.
Declaring the quantum rise in the State’s budget for healthcare, Shri Modi said that lack of funds should never be a concern for the fraternity since nearly Rs. 5500-5600 crores has been allotted in the current year, as opposed to Rs. 1200-1300 crore allotted in 2007-08.
Encouraging the medical fraternity, across the village, district and city levels, to unite, Shri Modi concluded by emphasizing on the need to make Gujarat shine on the healthcare spectrum, in the coming years.
Shri Nitinbhai Patel, Minister for Health and Family welfare, Government of Gujarat, Shri Parbatbhai Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Nata Menabde, Representative to India, WHO, Dr Genevieve Begkoyian, Chief of Health, UNICEF, India country office and Prof. K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
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The Indian diaspora in Guyana has made an impact across many sectors and contributed to Guyana’s development: PM
You can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian: PM
Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply,Culture, cuisine and cricket: PM
India's journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability: PM
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive: PM
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots,They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values: PM
Your Excellency President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President Donald Ramotar, Members of the Guyanese Cabinet, Members of the Indo-Guyanese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
Seetaram !
I am delighted to be with all of you today.First of all, I want to thank President Irfan Ali for joining us.I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival.I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me.
I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that, over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother, we also planted a tree. It is part of our initiative, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", that is, "a tree for mother”. It was an emotional moment that I will always remember.
Friends,
I was deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of Excellence’, the highest national award of Guyana. I thank the people of Guyana for this gesture. This is an honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3 lakh strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.
Friends,
I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
Friends,
Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy. You have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies. From humble beginnings you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: "It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.”He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
President Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals, Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets, Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet, Many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
Friends,
Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply. Culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa.
This year, the Diwali was special as Ram Lalla returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong.
I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
Friends,
Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them. The food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that Dhal Puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.
Friends,
The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship.
Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year.
Your cheers for the ‘Team in Blue’ at their match in Guyana could be heard even back home in India!
Friends,
This morning, I had the honour of addressing the Guyanese Parliament. Coming from the Mother of Democracy, I felt the spiritual connect with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean region. We have a shared history that binds us together. Common struggle against colonial rule, love for democratic values, And, respect for diversity.
We have a shared future that we want to create. Aspirations for growth and development, Commitment towards economy and ecology, And, belief in a just and inclusive world order.
Friends,
I know the people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India. India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability.
In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.
We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world.
Friends,
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive. Our digital public infrastructure is empowering the poor. We opened over 500 million bank accounts for the people. We connected these bank accounts with digital identity and mobiles. Due to this, people receive assistance directly in their bank accounts. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest free health insurance scheme. It is benefiting over 500 million people.
We have built over 30 million homes for those in need. In just one decade, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Even among the poor, our initiatives have benefited women the most. Millions of women are becoming grassroots entrepreneurs, generating jobs and opportunities.
Friends,
While all this massive growth was happening, we also focused on sustainability. In just a decade, our solar energy capacity grew 30-fold ! Can you imagine ?We have moved towards green mobility, with 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.
At the international level too, we have played a central role in many initiatives to combat climate change. The International Solar Alliance, The Global Biofuels Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Many of these initiatives have a special focus on empowering the Global South.
We have also championed the International Big Cat Alliance. Guyana, with its majestic Jaguars, also stands to benefit from this.
Friends,
Last year, we had hosted President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. We also received Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in India. Together, we have worked to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas.
Today, we have agreed to widen the scope of our collaboration -from energy to enterprise,Ayurveda to agriculture, infrastructure to innovation, healthcare to human resources, anddata to development. Our partnership also holds significant value for the wider region. The second India-CARICOM summit held yesterday is testament to the same.
As members of the United Nations, we both believe in reformed multilateralism. As developing countries, we understand the power of the Global South. We seek strategic autonomy and support inclusive development. We prioritize sustainable development and climate justice. And, we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address global crises.
Friends,
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An Ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.
You, the Indo-Guyanese community, are doubly blessed. You have Guyana as your motherland and Bharat Mata as your ancestral land. Today, when India is a land of opportunities, each one of you can play a bigger role in connecting our two countries.
Friends,
Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz has been launched. I call upon you to participate. Also encourage your friends from Guyana. It will be a good opportunity to understand India, its values, culture and diversity.
Friends,
Next year, from 13 January to 26 February, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite.
It is for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be held in Bhubaneshwar in January. If you come, you can also take the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Now with so many events and invitations, I hope to see many of you in India soon. Once again, thank you all for the love and affection you have shown me.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And special thanks to my friend Ali. Thanks a lot.
