Gujarat has made me who I am today, says PM Modi at Rajkot

"When people's efforts connect with government's efforts, our strength to serve increases," he said while pointing out that the Matushri KDP Multispeciality Hospital in Atkot is an example of this vision.

Rajkot:"Gujarat has made me who I am today," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after inaugurating the newly built Matushri KDP Multispeciality Hospital at Atkot on Saturday. "I have never compromised on serving the nation," he said emphasising that his commitment to serve the poor of the country emanates from the values he has inculcated from his home state, Gujarat.

"We made honest efforts to build India of the dreams of Bapu and Sardar Patel. Bapu wanted an India that would empower the poor, Dalits, victims, Tribals, women; a country where hygiene and health can become a way of life and whose economic system has indigenous solutions," he said while addressing a public function.

Modi said that the government and the citizens had worked together to ensure welfare for all. "When people's efforts connect with government's efforts, our strength to serve increases," he said, adding that the inauguration of the multispeciality hospital earlier in the day stands testimony to his vision.

Reeling out the list of welfare programs undertaken by his government in the past eight years, Modi said that his government has delivered pucca houses to over 3 crore poor, 10 crore houses have been made Open Defecation Free, 9 crore women have got LPG cylinders, over 2.5 crore poor families gave got electricity supply, and over 6 cr families have been provided with tap water connection.

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"This is not just data but evidence of our commitment to safeguard the dignity of the poor," Modi said. During the pandemic, the government opened up its food grain stocks for poor people and ensure vaccination to each and every citizen, the PM added.

"Cash was directly transferred to Jan Dhan bank accounts of every poor woman and to the bank account of every farmer. Free gas cylinders were arranged so that the poor can cook. When the challenges of medical treatment increased, testing norms were eased and treatment facilities were made available at a minimal rate," Modi said.

The multispeciality hospital will make available high-end medical equipment and provide world-class healthcare facilities to the people of the region. The hospital would play a key role in addressing the healthcare needs of people in Saurashtra, Prime Minister Modi had said.

Later at 4 pm, the Prime Minister will address a seminar of leaders of various cooperative institutions on 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. More than 7,000 representatives from various cooperative institutions of the State will participate in the seminar. Modi will also be inaugurating a Nano Urea (Liquid) Plant constructed at IFFCO, Kalol.