NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth around Rs. 12,100 crore in Darbhanga, Bihar. The development projects comprise health, rail, road, petroleum and natural gas sectors.

Addressing the gathering, the PM said that voting is going on in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand and the people of the state are casting their votes for a Viksit Bharat. He urged the citizens of Jharkhand to come forward in large numbers. The PM also paid tributes to Late Sharda Sinha ji and lauded her uncomparable contributions to music, especially her compositions of Chathh Mahaparv. 

The PM underlined that the state of Bihar along with entire India was witnessing the progress of major developmental targets. He added that unlike in the past when the schemes and projects were just on papers, today they are being successfully implemented on ground. “We are treading steadfastly towards Viksit Bharat”, exclaimed PM Modi. He added that our current generation was fortunate enough to be a witness to the Viksit Bharat along with contributing towards the goal.

Reiterating the government’s commitment towards the welfare of the people and service of the nation, the PM mentioned the development projects of today worth around Rs. 12,000 crore encompassing the sectors of road, rail and gas infrastructure. Moreover, the PM said that a significant step has been taken today to realize the dream of AIIMS in Darbhanga which would bring big changes in the health sector of Bihar. He informed that the regions of Mithila, Kosi and Tirhut apart from areas of West Bengal and nearing regions would benefit from this, while also catering to the patients visiting India from Nepal. He said that multiple new opportunities for employment and self-employment would also be created. The PM congratulated the people of Mithila, Darbhanga and entire Bihar for the development projects of today. 

Noting that the highest share of population in India comprises the poor and the middle-class people, the PM remarked that the people of these sections were most impacted by diseases, which leads to huge out-of-pocket expenditure for the treatment.  Modi remarked that he was well aware of how the entire family would be distraught if someone in the family was down with an illness. He added that situation of the medical infrastructure was very poor in the past due to dearth of hospitals and doctors, over-priced medicines and less diagnostic & research centers. The PM remarked that the progress of the nation was stalled due to the poor health infrastructure and difficulties faced by the poor. Hence, he added, the old thought and approach were changed. 

The PM underlined the holistic approach adopted by the government with regard to health. He outlined the focus areas of the government and said that the first focus area is prevention from diseases; secondly proper diagnosis of ailment; thirdly availability of free or low cost treatment and medicines; fourth to equip smaller towns with better medical facilities; and fifth expansion of technology in the health sector.

PM Modi highlighted the government’s emphasis on Yoga, Ayurveda, nutritional value, Fit India Movement. Pointing out that  junk food and a poor lifestyle are the main cause of common ailments, the PM listed out the government’s efforts and mentioned campaigns like Swachh Bharat, toilets in each home and tap water connection that are aimed at promoting cleanliness and reducing the scope for diseases. The PM also praised the efforts of the Chief Secretary, his team and the people of the state to carry out cleanliness campaigns in Darbhanga for the past few days and to strengthen the movement. He also urged to extend the campaign for another few days. 

The PM remarked that the severity of many diseases can be reduced if detected early. However, he noted, the high cost of diagnostics and research had prevented the people from getting known about being affected. “We have started more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the country”, said  Modi which will help in early detection of diseases. 

Noting that more than 4 crore patients were treated under the Ayushman Bharat scheme till date, the PM said that the absence of the scheme would have desisted many ill people from even being admitted to hospital.  Modi said that the scheme had alleviated the worries of many poor people due to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. He noted that around Rs. 1.25 lakh crore has been saved by crores families due to Ayushman scheme and the patients were treated in both Government and private hospitals under the scheme. 

Reaffirming the commitment of including citizens above 70 years of age in the scope of Ayushman Bharat scheme made during the elections, the PM remarked, “This guarantee has been fulfilled. Free treatment for senior citizens above 70 years has already begun irrespective of the family income.” He said that all beneficiaries would soon possess a Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card. He also touched upon Jan Aushadhi Kendras that offer medicines at extremely low costs.

Highlighting the fourth step of equipping smaller towns with better medical facilities and doctors towards better healthcare in India, the PM pointed out that there was only one AIIMS in the entire nation since 60 years of independence and the plan for establishing new AIIMS during previous governments were not completed. He informed that it was the present government that not only looked after ailments but also established new AIIMS in all corners of the country, taking the total number to around 24. The PM informed that the number of medical colleges have doubled in the last 10 years leading to more doctors. “Darbhanga AIIMS would produce many new doctors for the service of Bihar and the nation”, he added. The PM also touched upon enabling higher education in mother tongue and said that it has been his biggest tribute towards the dreams of Karpuri Thakur ji. In the last 10 years, the PM informed, 1 lakh new medical seats have been added and efforts are underway to add another 75,000 seats in the next 5 years. He further added that the option to study medicine in Hindi and other regional languages has also been created.

Emphasising the Government’s efforts to fight cancer, PM Modi noted the cancer facility being constructed at Muzaffarpur will benefit the cancer patients of Bihar. He added that this single facility would cater to the needs of various kinds of cancers and patients need not have to travel to Delhi or Mumbai. The PM was pleased to announce the availability of a new eye hospital in Bihar soon. He added that he had requested the Kanchi Kamakoti Shankarcharya ji for an eye hospital in Bihar like the recently inaugurated Sankara eye hospital in Varanasi and the work was in progress.

The PM lauded the Chief Minister of Bihar for developing a model of good governance. He said that the double engine government is committed to fast paced development in Bihar and working on the roadmap to strengthen the small farmers and industries. He said that Bihar’s identity is getting a boost with the infrastructural development, airports and expressways, as he credited the Udan scheme for the development of a new airport in Darbhanga. He also mentioned other development projects of today including expressways worth Rs 5,500 crore and City Gas Distribution (CGD) network worth around Rs 3,400 crore. “Mahayajna of development is taking Bihar to new heights”, the PM said, adding that new employment opportunities are being created. 

The PM said that the development of farmers,Makhana producers and fisheries sectors in the region are the top priorities for the government. He informed that the farmers of Bihar have received more than Rs 25,000 crore under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, including farmers from Mithila. He credited the One District One Product scheme for the progress of Makhana producers and also informed that Makhana Research Center has been given the status of a national institution. “Makhanas have also received a GI tag”, he added. He also mentioned fish breeders availing the benefits of Kisan Credit Cards and PM Matsya Sampada Yojna. He emphasised that the government aims to develop India as a huge fish exporter in the world.

The PM reiterated that the Government was undertaking all efforts to provide relief to the people from the recurrent floods in Kosi and Mithila.He added that a comprehensive plan was announced in this year’s annual budget to tackle the floods in Bihar. He expressed confidence that a solution to the floods would be arrived at with the cooperation of Nepal and related development works worth over Rs 11,000 crore were underway.

“Bihar is the biggest center of India's heritage”, said PM Modi, adding that cherishing this legacy is a responsibility of all of us. Therefore, he added, that the Government was following the mantra of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”. The PM underlined that Nalanda university was treading forward today to reclaim its long lost popularity. 

Underlining the need for conservation of languages, the PM informed that Pali language, which scripts the teaching of Lord Buddha and Bihar’s glorious past, has been conferred the status of a Classical language. He reminded that it was the present government that included Maithili language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. “Maithili has been accorded the second language of the state in Jharkhand”, he added.

The PM informed that Darbhanga is one of the more than 12 cities in the country to be connected with Ramayana Circuit, thereby giving a boost to tourism. He said that Amrit Bharat train on Darbhanga - Sitamarhi - Ayodhya route has hugely benefited the citizens.