BuzzBytes
Delhi 01 October 2023:Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with three Block-level officers, including one from Mankote in Poonch district of Jammu, during the inauguration of a unique week-long program for Aspirational Blocks called ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
He also inaugurated the Aspirational Blocks Programme Portal and an accompanying exhibition.
During his interaction with Dr. Sajied Ahmed, a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from Mankote, Modi expressed his affinity with the Gurjars of the region, likening them to the residents of Kutch in Gujarat, where he served as Chief Minister for nearly 13 years.
Dr. Sajied Ahmed discussed the challenges faced by migrating tribal animal husbandry communities and offered solutions to limit problems and damage during migration, drawing from his personal experiences.
Prime Minister Modi inquired about the disparity between classroom knowledge and on-ground experience. The Veterinary Assistant Surgeon emphasized the robust local breeds often overlooked in classrooms and briefed Modi on the vaccination campaign against foot and mouth disease, highlighting the significant vaccine uptake in the area.
Modi reiterated his closeness with the Gurjars of the region, who have similarities with the inhabitants of Kutch. Poonch and neighboring Rajouri districts in Jammu have a substantial Gurjar population, enjoying Scheduled Tribe status and receiving 10 percent reservations in the Legislative Assembly following the abrogation of special status in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister also interacted with other officials, including a school teacher from Uttar Pradesh and a Junior Rural Development Officer from Meghalaya.
Modi underscored the impact of the Aspirational Districts Programme, transforming 112 districts and improving the lives of over 25 crore people. He expressed his vision for at least 100 out of 500 aspirational blocks to become inspirational in the next year and announced plans to review the program’s success in 2024.
The event at Bharat Mandapam marked a transition from hosting world leaders to addressing grassroots issues, involving participation from people in far-flung areas. Modi emphasized the importance of resource optimization, convergence, and public participation in grassroots development.
The nationwide Aspirational Blocks Programme, launched on January 7, aims to enhance governance and public service delivery at the block level, benefiting citizens in 500 blocks across 329 districts.
The ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ program, from October 3 to October 9, focuses on specific development themes for aspirational blocks.
