PM Modi inaugurates Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025, highlights rural transformation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the theme "Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat." The event showcased India’s achievements in rural development and aimed to strengthen its resolve to empower rural communities.

In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister emphasized the government's vision of transforming villages into vibrant centres of growth and opportunity. He highlighted efforts since 2014 to ensure basic amenities, improve livelihoods, and reduce poverty. “Ensuring a dignified life for rural India is the priority of my government,” PM Modi stated, adding that initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Awaas Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission have significantly improved rural living standards.

The Prime Minister remarked on the achievements of the past decade, including lifting over 25 crore people out of poverty and reducing rural poverty from 26% in 2012 to below 5% in 2024. He attributed this progress to comprehensive rural development strategies focused on agriculture, infrastructure, and self-employment. Programs like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, which disbursed ₹3 lakh crore to farmers, and the expansion of Kisan Credit Cards to livestock and fish farmers, were lauded for empowering rural households.

Highlighting the role of cooperatives, PM Modi said, “India is moving toward prosperity through cooperation.” He noted that the computerization of 70,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and the strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are ensuring better prices and opportunities for farmers. Additionally, initiatives like the Vishwakarma Yojana are helping artisans and traditional craftsmen gain new skills and financial support.

PM Modi underscored the government's commitment to women empowerment in rural areas. He celebrated the achievements of self-help groups and programs like Lakhpati Didis, which have enabled over 1.15 crore rural women to achieve financial independence, to reach 3 crore women. He also highlighted rural women’s growing roles as Bank Sakhis and Bima Sakhis, revolutionizing rural banking and insurance access.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the critical role of rural infrastructure development. Over the past decade, nearly 4 lakh kilometres of rural roads were constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and over 94% of rural households now have access to mobile and banking services. The number of Common Service Centers has increased from less than 1 lakh in 2014 to over 5 lakh today, bringing essential services and digital connectivity to villages.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing the event, commended the Prime Minister's vision for rural development. She highlighted the exhibition’s focus on rural products with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, natural farming, women empowerment, and tribal welfare. She emphasized that schemes like PM MUDRA Yojana and SVAnidhi Yojana have provided significant financial support to rural businesses.

The event underlined the government’s dedication to empowering rural communities by diversifying income sources, supporting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing access to markets. PM Modi called for collective efforts to preserve village harmony, participate in environmental initiatives like Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and ensure the success of projects like Amrit Sarovar.