Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The theme for the event, Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2024, reflects India’s commitment to rural development. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister wished everyone a happy 2025 and praised the efforts of NABARD and others for organizing the event.
Shri Modi, drawing from his personal experiences of growing up in a village, highlighted the immense potential of rural India. He remarked that villagers, though hardworking, often lack access to capital and opportunities. The Prime Minister emphasized that the challenges faced by rural communities, such as natural calamities and market access, inspired his government’s approach to rural development.
Since 2014, Prime Minister Modi has prioritized rural development. Ensuring a dignified life for rural citizens has been central to his vision. Programs such as Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Awaas Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission have made significant strides in improving living conditions in rural India. The government has focused on providing essential services like toilets, pucca houses, and clean drinking water to millions of rural households.
The government’s initiatives have brought healthcare services closer to rural communities. Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs now provide health facilities. Digital technologies, especially telemedicine, have enabled villagers to consult the best doctors and access healthcare remotely through initiatives like e-Sanjeevani. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rural India’s resilience was further demonstrated as vaccines reached every corner of the country.
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The Prime Minister stressed the importance of economic policies that benefit every section of rural society. Through programs like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers have received approximately ₹3 lakh crore in financial support. Additionally, agricultural loans have increased by 3.5 times in the last decade. The government is also supporting livestock and fish farmers by providing them with Kisan Credit Cards.
The government has implemented various programs to support rural youth. Initiatives like Mudra Yojana, Start-Up India, and Stand-Up India provide avenues for entrepreneurship. Over one crore rural MSMEs have benefited from the Credit Link Guarantee Scheme, enabling them to thrive. The Vishwakarma Yojana also aims to uplift traditional artisans like blacksmiths, carpenters, and potters by providing skill development opportunities.
The Prime Minister emphasized the role of cooperatives in transforming the rural economy. The government’s efforts to computerize around 70,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) will ensure farmers receive better value for their products. The establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 underlines the government’s commitment to cooperative growth.
Recent surveys indicate a significant improvement in the quality of life in rural areas. Consumption in rural India has nearly tripled since 2011, with people spending less on food and more on their desires and needs. The consumption gap between urban and rural areas has also reduced, reflecting the growing prosperity of rural citizens.
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Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the development of border and tribal areas. The government has launched the Vibrant Villages Scheme and the PM Janman Yojana to ensure equal rights and opportunities for these historically neglected regions. The focus on these areas has led to improved incomes and development for residents.
In the last decade, 25 crore people, mostly from rural areas, have been lifted out of poverty. A recent study by the State Bank of India revealed that rural poverty in India has decreased from 26% in 2012 to less than 5% in 2024. The Prime Minister noted that these results show real progress, not just slogans.
The Prime Minister concluded by highlighting the government’s focus on rural development as the key to national progress. The efforts of the past decade have transformed rural India, and the country is now witnessing a real reduction in poverty and a rise in living standards.
