PM launches Gujarat government’s `Swavalamban Abhiyaan’ for the poor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched `Swavalamban Abhiyan', a set of 11 new pro-poor initiatives of the Gujarat government, at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, which, he said, would ensure dignity and self-sufficiency to the needy in the state.

Stating that the schemes designed by the previous government for uplifting the poor would only make them more dependent, Modi stressed on the need to frame policies which would ensure dignity with self-sufficiency for the needy.

Addressing a large gathering on the occasion, the prime minister said, "Three things are important for the shram yogi: self reliance (swavalamban), self dependence (swashray) and self-dignity (swabhimaan)."

"A person breaks down completely when he becomes dependent on others. In such a situation, he would think of dying instead of living such life. There is no better thing than bringing such persons out from that miserable situation," Modi said.

He congratulated the state government for chosing `Vishwakarma Day' to launch `Swavalamban' initiatives.

Gujarat government has launched these pro-poor initiatives for the benefit of `shram yogis', especially women and youth, so that they are empowered to fight poverty, he added. This is in keeping with the spirit of "Shrameva Jayate," he said.

The prime minister said the neo-middle class will also receive protection through the `Swavalamban' initiative of `Ma-Vatsalya Yojana'.