Want ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ scheme: PM

New Delhi, November 29

Amid the ‘intolerance’ debate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he proposes to put in place the ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ scheme aimed at strengthening the country’s unity and harmony and invited suggestions in this regard.

“Internal vigilance is the prize of liberty. Unity of the nation … this culture should continue ... on the occasion of Sardar Patel’s anniversary on October 31, I had talked about ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat (One India, Supreme India)’... I want to give ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ the shape of a scheme,” he said in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

He asked people to give suggestions on the portal MyGov.com as to what should be its structure, the logo and how to increase public participation in it.

“It is expected to be a very specific scheme. Apply your creative mind and give suggestions as to how to connect each and every Indian with the mantra of unity and harmony and ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’,” the Prime Minister said.

He said suggestions should be with regard to what kind of scheme it should be, the kind of programme under it and what should the government, the society and the civil society do.

“It should be full of life and a prestigious scheme and connect everybody in an easy manner,” Modi said.

His proposal to bring out a scheme to enrich the culture of unity and harmony assumes significance against the backdrop of allegations by some sections that ‘intolerance’ is growing and that the government is doing nothing about it.

The Prime Minister also exhorted people to come forward in greater numbers to donate organs and talked about how people with disabilities can be a source of inspiration as they overcome their weaknesses.

In this context, he specifically highlighted the case of one Javed Ahmed of Kashmir who was shot by terrorists in 1996 and became disabled as he suffered spinal injuries.

"He lost the capacity to stand on his feet again ... the biggest thing was that an innocent had to suffer in such a manner, his youth was endangered but there was no anger or outrage," Modi said while narrating Ahmed's story.

"But he did not accept defeat ... he converted this crisis into opportunity to serve the masses and devoted his life to social service. For the last 20 years, he has been teaching children. He is also working to see how the infrastructure for the disabled can be improved, including in public places and government buildings ... .

"He has become a messiah for the disabled people. His devotion is being specially remembered on the occasion of 'Disability Day' on December 3. There are several like Javed Ahmed in every corner of the country who keep inspiring us," he said.

The Prime Minister also referred to the MUDRA Bank scheme launched sometime back for the benefit of small entrepreneurs and said, "The speed I want is yet to come but the beginning has been good."

He said the scheme is focused on three Es — Enterprises, Earning and Empowerment — and about 66 lakh people have got Rs 42,000 crore from it. He said he was happy to note that out of these 66 lakh, 24 lakh are women and most of those helped belong to SC, ST, OBC categories. — PTI

— PTI