PM Modi launches mega rural outreach campaign on Ambedkar anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched Gram Uday se Bharat Uday, an 11-day intensive rural outreach programme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched Gram Uday se Bharat Uday, an 11-day intensive rural outreach programme under which states have been told to reach out to every village panchayat and implement plans for their all-round development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Bhim Janma Bhoomi Memorial on BR Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary in Mhow, Indore on Thursday. (PTI)

Around eight states, including MP, have been selected under the pilot project to be held from April 14-24. The government chose Ambedkar Jayanti to start this campaign at Ambedkar’s birth-place in Mhow in order to shed its anti-Dalit, anti-farmer image. It is also designed to match Ambedkar’s core vision of achieving social justice and equality.

At a public rally, Modi attacked opposition parties for doing little for the poor.

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He also launched Ambedkar Panch Teerth Yojana, a scheme that entails connecting five places associated with as socio-economic pilgrimages. They include his birthplace Mhow, his Alipur road house in Delhi, his house in London where he received higher education, Indu Mills in Mumbai where he was cremated, and, where he converted to Buddhism.