Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
India

Disabled Have Divine Ability, Government Scheme In Guinness Records: Modi

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Dec, 2015 02:49 PM
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said physically challenged people have a "divine ability" and urged people to change the way to address them.
     
    He also said the government's "Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme" has received a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest such scheme.
     
    The action plan of 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' will be launched on January 16, Modi said, as he greeted the nation on Christmas and New Year.
     
    Addressing the public in his last monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat" for 2015, Modi said: "Start-up India, Stand-up India has brought new opportunity for the youth of our country. Be it manufacturing, service sector or agriculture, this new initiative will bring in new ideas, new ways, and new innovations." 
     
    "The action plan of 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' will be launched on January 16. A blueprint will be presented on that day," he said while extending his "greetings for Christmas and New Year to every citizen of India".
     
    Modi urged the public to change the way physically challenged people are addressed. 
     
    "We often address the physically challenged people as handicapped, disabled and specially-abled. But sometimes, when we get introduced to them, we get to know that they are endowed with 'extra power' which can't be seen with bare eyes," he said.
     
    "Then this idea came to my mind: why don't we use the term 'Divyang' (divine body) instead of 'Viklang' for the physically challenged people?"
     
     
    Modi said they are endowed with an ability which is divine. "Normal people like us are not gifted with such powers."
     
    On the government's "Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme", he said it has received a place in the record book as the largest direct benefit transfer scheme.
     
    "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme has recently found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and it has been implemented successfully."
     
    As of now, already Rs.40,000 crore has been transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries through different schemes, he said.
     
    "I believe about 35-40 schemes are being integrated with the direct benefit transfer scheme."
     
    Observing that there has been little discussion over fundamental duties in the country, Modi invited people's views on it by the Republic Day.
     
    "There is a lot of discussion on fundamental rights and there should be. But there is very little discussion on fundamental duties. Our Constitution gives importance to duties as well."
     
    He called on schools and colleges to hold essay-writing and poetry competitions on the topic "duties" before January 26. 
     
     
    Modi asked people to express their views on duties on the 'mygov.in' portal, so that he could learn what they think.
     
    He also said that before Republic Day, people should take on the task of cleaning up the statues of various personalities located in various cities, towns and villages.
     
    He also sought ideas from the youth about the 'National Youth Festival' that will commence on January 12, marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
     
    In his bid to reach out to the people, Modi invited people to connect with him by downloading the 'Narendra Modi App'.
     
    On cleanliness, he stressed the need to pay attention to tourist spots.
     
    "We must ensure cleanliness at tourist places," Modi said citing a letter by Ganesh V. Sawaleshwarkar from Pune.
     
    He said Ganesh raised a vital point on the importance of cleanliness at tourist places and pilgrimage sites.
     
    Modi welcomed Ganesh's suggestion, saying clean tourist spots will contribute to building a better image of India in the world. He said many foreigners come to visit the country during the festival season.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Three Kashmiri Youth Held Near Attari Border

    Three Kashmiri Youth Held Near Attari Border
    Three Kashmiri youths were taken into custody after they drove a speeding multi-utility vehicle (MUV) close to the international border with Pakistan near Attari on early Sunday, BSF officials said.

    Three Kashmiri Youth Held Near Attari Border

    This Indian-American Surgeon Aims To Save Lives On Indian Roads

    This Indian-American Surgeon Aims To Save Lives On Indian Roads
    Rajasthan University-educated surgeon Dr. Dinesh Vyas, an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at Michigan State University since 2011, has already trained over 4,000 first responders in India using a $200,000 simulator dummy

    This Indian-American Surgeon Aims To Save Lives On Indian Roads

    Sonia, Rahul Appear In Court, Granted Bail; Congress Lambasts Modi

    Sonia, Rahul Appear In Court, Granted Bail; Congress Lambasts Modi
    Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday appeared in a trial court here in the National Herald case filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and were granted unconditional bail.

    Sonia, Rahul Appear In Court, Granted Bail; Congress Lambasts Modi

    Nirbahaya's Gang-Rape 'Juvenile' Convict To Be Freed, Victim's Parents Dismayed

    Nirbahaya's Gang-Rape 'Juvenile' Convict To Be Freed, Victim's Parents Dismayed
    The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) said it will challenge the release by writing to President Pranab Mukherjee, and the chief justices of the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court.

    Nirbahaya's Gang-Rape 'Juvenile' Convict To Be Freed, Victim's Parents Dismayed

    'India Is Building A Secret N-City In Karnataka'

    'India Is Building A Secret N-City In Karnataka'
    India could "deeply unsettle" its neighbours Pakistan and China as it is building a secret facility in its southern Karnataka state to augment its nuclear power for civilian use and upgradation of its weapons, a foreign policy journal has reported.

    'India Is Building A Secret N-City In Karnataka'

    AAP-BJP War Rages On, Jaitley Terms Charges 'Untruth'

    AAP-BJP War Rages On, Jaitley Terms Charges 'Untruth'
    Continuing its attack on Jaitley over alleged corruption when he headed Delhi's cricket association, Kejriwal said Jaitley must resign or should be sacked. The BJP and the central government rejected the demand.

    AAP-BJP War Rages On, Jaitley Terms Charges 'Untruth'