Dhar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several development initiatives in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, marking the occasion with strong messages on women’s empowerment, poverty alleviation, and industrial growth.
Bowing to Goddess Vagdevi at the revered Bhojshala, the Prime Minister also paid tributes to Lord Vishwakarma, describing him as the eternal symbol of skill and craftsmanship. He saluted crores of artisans across India, calling them “a major force behind Make in India”.
Linking history with present-day aspirations, Mr Modi reminded the gathering that 17 September marks Hyderabad Liberation Day, a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s iron will when the Indian Army integrated Hyderabad into the Union. “Nothing surpasses the honour, pride, and glory of Maa Bharti,” he declared, stressing that India today responds to threats with strength, citing Operation Sindoor and the army’s swift response to cross-border terror.
Women at the centre of new campaigns
Launching the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ campaign, Mr Modi said women’s health was fundamental to the nation’s well-being. He urged mothers, sisters, and daughters to undergo free screenings for conditions such as diabetes, anaemia, tuberculosis, and cancer. The campaign, running until 2 October, will see more than one lakh health camps nationwide—the largest outreach of its kind in India. Medicines and diagnostics will be free, backed by Ayushman Bharat insurance.
The Prime Minister also kicked off the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, reiterating the government’s mission to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, financial assistance worth over ₹450 crore was credited to 15 lakh pregnant women in a single click during the event. To date, 4.5 crore women have benefited from this scheme, with disbursals exceeding ₹19,000 crore.
From Dhar, he also marked the milestone distribution of the one-croreth Sickle Cell Screening and Counselling Card, part of a nationwide mission to protect tribal communities from the genetic disease. More than five crore people have already been screened.
Boost to industry and jobs
On the industrial front, Mr Modi inaugurated India’s largest integrated textile hub, the PM MITRA Park in Dhar, a facility spread over 2,150 acres. Built on the government’s **5F Vision—Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign—**the park is expected to transform India’s textile value chain by consolidating spinning, processing, designing, and exports under one roof.
The project, with investment proposals worth ₹23,140 crore, is projected to create around three lakh jobs while ensuring cotton farmers get better returns. Over 80 industrial units have already been allotted land in the park, with construction and infrastructure development to proceed simultaneously.
Focus on women’s economic empowerment
Highlighting initiatives like Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Ayushman Bharat, the Prime Minister said these schemes had eased the daily struggles of women across India. He praised the growing network of women entrepreneurs under Mudra Yojana, pointing out that nearly two crore have already become “Lakhpati Didis”. Women are also being trained as “Drone Didis” and Bank Sakhis, strengthening rural economies.
Mr Modi also launched the ‘Adi Seva Parv’ in Madhya Pradesh, an initiative focusing on the socio-economic uplift of tribal communities through education, health, nutrition, and livelihood programmes.
Call for Swadeshi during the festive season
The Prime Minister used the occasion to push for Swadeshi, urging citizens to prefer Indian-made goods this festive season—from toys and idols to electronics and textiles. “Buying Swadeshi keeps money in the country, strengthens our economy, and creates jobs,” he said, noting that reduced GST rates will come into effect from 22 September.
Reiterating his lifelong commitment, Mr Modi said, “Service to the poor is the highest purpose of my life. Those who have been left behind are our top priority.” He credited government schemes with lifting 25 crore people out of poverty in the last decade, instilling new confidence across society.
Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and Union Minister Savitri Thakur were among the dignitaries present at the event.