Imphal: Small changes can make big differences, said Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh Thursday while speaking at an “India@75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (Seminar-cum-Tree plantation)” at Sanakeithel to Leisan, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Road Ukhrul.
The programme is part of a series of similar seminars cum tree plantation drives organised by the Rural Engineering Department/ MSRRDA as part of the 75-week long Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Minister Biswajit said that roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) have connected many villages located in the interior parts of the State, helping bring development to these far-flung villages. These small achievements and positive changes contribute to bringing inclusive development in the country, he said adding that Thursday’s programme is organised to create awareness on the importance of tree plantation and to highlight the significance of PMGSY in the process of developing India.
Biswajit further asserted that it is the Prime Minister’s vision of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India, which can be realised only when all States including Manipur become self-reliant. We need involvement and participation of everyone in making Manipur self-reliant, he added.
The Minister said that the Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav is not only to celebrate but to commemorate the progress of the country and the glorious history of the people, culture and achievement. The festival began on March 12, 2021 and will continue till August 15, 2023, he said.
Highlighting the importance of active participation from everyone, the Minister said that public participation in every locality will bring an overall significant gain for the country. We should encourage involvement and participation of every citizen of the country and make the Azadi ka Amrit Mohotsav a Jan Andolan/mass movement, he added.
He said that today’s small tree plantation drive will not only beautify the roadsides constructed under PMGSY but will also help in checking the ecological imbalances affecting our planet today. The Minister also appealed to the villagers to continue the tree plantation drive further.
Minister Biswajit said that PMGSY was introduced by former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the vision to develop and improve the social, economic and educational sectors in rural areas by enhancing road connectivity between cities and villages and bring equal and balanced development.
The Minister also explained various schemes of the government and their provisions including Weavers’ Card, Yarn Passbook, National Rural Livelihood Mission among others and urge the villagers to take benefit from the schemes.
Additional Chief Secretary RD & PR, M. H. Khan said that as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, every department is conducting a set of activities. The RD & PR department is also organising several activities in different blocks and districts in the State and today’s seminar cum tree plantation is a continuation of the activities. The department needs cooperation of all villagers for successful implementation of developmental schemes; he said further seeking cooperation and suggestions from all.
Today’s programme was also attended by RED/MSSRDA Chief Engineer, Pantising Thaimei; concerned department officials, officials of District Administration, village chief and members of village authority, among others.
