Inaugurating the Chouri Choura Mahotsava, the PM Narendra Modi lauded the important role that farmers played during the Chauri Chaura incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that earlier farmers were considered as a vote bank but the situation has changed now, as his government believed in taking all countrymen along with it as the unity of the country matters the most.
“Amidst the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, our agriculture sector grew strongly and the farmers showed their might and clicked a record production. If our farmer becomes stronger, the progress of agriculture will be further accelerated,” the prime minister said.
He recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters as he inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the historical Chauri Chaura incident virtually.
He also released a postal stamp dedicated to the Chauri Chaura centenary, marking the beginning of the year-long celebrations.
Talking about the Union Budget 2021, the prime minister said that many people were critically looking at the budget as they were sceptical that during this period of COVID-19 pandemic, the budget would take the hit.
“But with the Budget 2021, we have shown that nothing can stop us from making the dream of a self-reliant India come true,” he said.
Pointing out that the Budget 2021 had a special focus on strengthening the agriculture sector and boosting farmers’ income, the prime minister said: “We have announced the inclusion of 1,000 more mandis or agriculture product marketing committees (APMCs) to be linked to the e-National Agriculture Market.”
The prime minister also said that the aim of the budget was not to increase the burden on the countrymen, rather the government had decided to spend more and more money to make the country self-reliant.
“For me and my government, the thing that matters the most is the unity of the country. We believe in taking every countryman along with us,” he said
Stating that every village and town would have a proper health system, the prime minister said that his government was making efforts to have a proper system of treatment in every village and town so that the people of the particular location did not suffer and migrate to big cities for treatment of every small disease.
“The infrastructure fund for the rural sector has been increased to Rs 40,000 crore which will directly benefit the farmers of the country. All these decisions will make our farmers self-reliant and make agriculture a profitable business,” he said.
Talking about the Chauri Chaura incident, the prime minister said it was more than a fire at a police station. It was symbolic of the fire that was ignited in the hearts of the freedom fighters.
He also paid tributes to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur, on February 4, 1922.
It may be mentioned that the UP government has planned a year long celebrations till February 4, 2022 in all 75 districts of the state. During the year-long event, essay writing, debate, poetry recitation, painting and other competitions will be organised in schools. In addition, exhibitions, book fairs, and other events will also be held.
