Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Centre's focus is to ensure farmer welfare and it will leave no stone unturned to achieve this. His statement comes at a time when farmers have launched a 'Delhi Chalo' march and are in talks with the Union government over their demands.
Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said, "Farmer welfare is our main focus and we will leave no stone unturned for it. We have built 60,000 Amrit Sarovars to strengthen rural economy. We want to equip farmers with modern technology. Our aim is to improve the livelihood of small farmers and improve horticulture, pisciculture and animal husbandry."
He said that for the first time, Kisan Credit cards were given to cattle and fish farmers and modern seeds were given to farmers to combat climate change. He also attributed the success of dairy sector to 'Nari Shakti' and said that government is committed towards women empowerment.
"We are the largest milk-producing country and eight crore people are associated with the dairy sector that has a turnover of Rs 10 lakh crore," he added.
Lauding Amul's growth, PM Modi said several brands have come up after independence but there is none like Amul. "Amul means trust, development, public participation. The brand remains as the identity of the livestock keepers," he said adding, "Amul signifies 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and farmer empowerment. It means big dreams, resolutions and accomplishments."
Earlier in the morning, PM Modi offered prayers at the Valinath Dham temple in Visnagar taluk in Gujarat's Mehsana district.
Speaking at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple, PM Modi said that the country is going through a unique phase where both the 'dev kaaj" and "desh kaaj" are going simultaneously and at a fast pace. He said that the temples are not simply 'devalays' but symbols of culture and tradition as well as centres of knowledge. "We are building 'devalays' on one hand and on the other hand, houses for the poor are being constructed," he said.
On the occasion, the prime minister inaugurated a host of projects related to infrastructure, connectivity, textiles and others.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who was accompanying PM Modi, said that India's cultural heritage is being recognised by the world under PM Modi's leadershop. Patel said that a system has been developed wherein no work is stalled due to dearth of funds. "PM Modi has issued the slogan of 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi' and development projects are underway across Gujarat. Today's event will turn 'Uttar Gujarat' into 'Uttam Gujarat'," he said.
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