Government builds an average of 91 kilometers of rural roads daily in FY 2015-16, 6500 habitations connected
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana targets poverty alleviation through sustainable livelihoods
Government links 3 crore households to Self Help Groups, due monitoring of the loans to be done using Aadhaar
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on Monday reviewed the progress of rural development schemes.
The Prime Minister was given a presentation on the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, (PMGSY) and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY), by the NITI Aayog.
An average of 91 kilometers of rural roads have been built daily in the Financial Year 2015-16, resulting in a total addition of 30,500 km of rural road length. 6500 habitations have been connected in this Financial Year, as a result.
The Prime Minister was informed of the use of innovative best practices in PMGSY, to further speed up the rural road construction progress. These include the use of GIS and Space Imagery for planning and monitoring; efficient fund flow by minimizing the number of layers; and citizen grievance redressal through the app – "Meri Sadak."
The Prime Minister directed concerned officials to put in place an effective mechanism for stringent quality monitoring of the roads being built under the scheme. He said quality checks should be made at the material procurement stage, the construction stage, as well as the maintenance stage.
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana targets poverty alleviation through sustainable livelihoods. The Prime Minister was informed that 3 crore households have so far been linked to Self Help Groups (SHGs). The Prime Minister asked for due monitoring of the loans being given to SHGs, using Aadhaar. He emphasized that loans must reach the intended beneficiaries, for this scheme to be successful.
India has been under the international spotlight this week, with significant developments in diplomacy, economic growth, technological advancement, and cultural recognition. From pivotal diplomatic visits to groundbreaking achievements in defense and technology, India’s story has been one of progress and influence on the world stage.
Diplomatic Triumphs
One of the focal points of this week was the achievements of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait on Dec 21-22, the first bilateral prime ministerial visit to the Gulf nation in 43 years. The world sees the visit PM Narendra Modi’s strategic move to strengthen ties in a region undergoing significant transitions. It not only closes a crucial gap in India’s diplomacy with the Gulf but also signals the nation’s proactive stance in navigating the complex geopolitics of West Asia.
Economic and Technological Advances
In the realm of finance and technology, India has made headlines by surpassing China to top the Asian IPO rankings. According to data from Dealogic for 2024, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest equity fundraising market, a testament to the robust investor confidence in the Indian market. This achievement reflects India’s economic resilience and growth potential.
India has also taken significant steps towards semiconductor self-reliance. The initiation of construction for semiconductor fabrication and packaging units marks a promising start in the nation’s quest to carve a niche in the global semiconductor industry. Read more about this here.
Additionally, India’s maritime sector is set for a transformation, with an investment of $10 billion over the next 25 years to make India one of the world’s top shipbuilding nations. This development not only aims at bolstering India’s maritime capabilities but also positions it as a key player in the global maritime industry.
Defense and Strategic Developments
India’s strides in defense technology have also been a topic of global conversation. The successful test of a hypersonic missile places India among an elite group of nations with such capabilities, enhancing its strategic posture in regional geopolitics. This advancement underlines India’s growing military prowess.
Adding to the narrative of self-reliance, Prime Minister Modi’s push for domestic production of defense equipment, including the K9 Vajra-T artillery platforms, has been highlighted. This initiative not only boosts the ‘Make in India’ campaign but also fortifies national security through indigenous innovation.
Cultural and Leadership Recognition
In the cultural sphere, the influence of Indian cinema was acknowledged with tributes to Shyam Benegal, an influential director known for his contributions to India’s ‘parallel cinema.’ Benegal’s work from the 1970s, which challenged mainstream Bollywood by focussing on social issues, has been celebrated, reflecting India’s rich cultural fabric on the international stage.
Moreover, the week saw accolades for Indian-origin individuals in leadership roles abroad. Nirav Patel’s appointment as CEO of Mastech Digital in the US stands out, highlighting the global recognition of Indian talent in tech and business leadership.
Religious Freedom and Vision for the Future
The discourse on India’s democratic ethos was enriched by statements from figures like Mary Millben, who praised India’s commitment to religious freedom as a hallmark of its democracy. Such endorsements bolster India’s image as a pluralistic society.
India’s goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 as envisioned by PM Modi has received endorsement from Indermit Gill, chief economist at World Bank. Complementing PM Modi on his vision, Gill believes that India will see its prime potential over the next two decades. Read more about India’s future prospects here.
The week has painted a picture of India as a nation on the move, not just in terms of economic metrics but also in cultural, technological, and diplomatic arenas. The global coverage reflects a growing recognition of India’s multifaceted development and its increasing influence on the world stage.
From the Gulf’s diplomatic corridors to the cutting-edge labs of defense technology, from the boardrooms of American companies to the cultural dialogues of cinema, India’s story this week has been one of global engagement, innovation, and leadership.
