Port Blair, Nov. 15: The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today launched the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ and Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Mission from Khunti District of Jharkhand marking the celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, 2023. The programme which was live streamed across the nation was witnessed by the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and others present at a function organised by the A&N Administration at Community Hall, Campbell Bay – the Southernmost part of India.  As part of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) today flagged off Information, Education, and Communication Vans from Campbell Bay. The Lt. Governor also paid floral tributes to the portrait of Bagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion.

The focus of the Yatra is to reach out to people and create awareness and provide benefits of welfare schemes like sanitation facilities, essential financial services, electricity connections, access to LPG cylinders, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, clean drinking water, etc.

The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobars, Ms Jyoti Kumari, Senior Officers of A&N Administration, Pramukh Panchayat Samiti, Campbell Bay, Shri E S Rajesh, Chief Tribal Captain, Shri Barnabas, PRI members, Office Bearers of Tribal Council and general public attended the programme.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor expressed his happiness in participating in the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' being organized on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas under the enlightened guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji. The Lt. Governor stated that this Yatra will play a pivotal role in creating awareness about various welfare schemes and programs run by the Government of India through public participation.

The Lt. Governor remarked that this ‘Yatra’ has become more meaningful as it begins on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the great freedom fighter and ideal of tribal society. It is a matter of great pride that this initiative is being launched in these Islands from Great Nicobar, the Southern-most Tribal dominated Nicobar District of the country, the Lt. Governor added.

The Lt. Governor said, for wider publicity of Government of India's initiatives like sanitation facilities, essential financial services, LPG connections, housing for poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable health services, pure drinking water and quality education in the entire archipelago, the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' will start in North & Middle Andaman and in South Andaman Districts from the third week of November, 2023.

The Lt. Governor stated that under the able guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister and Island Development Agency (IDA), the development in the Islands has gained new momentum. With investment plans of more than Rs 95,000 crore in infrastructure in the last six years, this strategically important archipelago for the country is rapidly moving towards becoming a Global Growth Destination. Among these, transformative projects like International Container Transhipment Terminal, Green-Field Airport and Township will prove to be a milestone in the development of the Islands, the Lt. Governor said. He stated that ambitious projects like CANI Submarine OFC Project, newly constructed Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Azad Hind Fauj Bridge on Humphrey Strait etc. have proved to be game changers in the multifaceted development of the Islands. Further, initiatives like 20 MW solar energy and Environmental Friendly Electric AC buses reflects our sensitivity towards the environment, the Lt. Governor remarked.

The Lt. Governor mentioned that it is a matter of pride that our archipelago, apart from being the first clean water State in the country, has also earned 2 National Awards in the Swachhata Survekshan-2022 and Ayushman Excellence Award in the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. These Islands have the distinction of having 100 percent digital and Aadhaar-based fund transfer for all 36 DBT Schemes and Grade 1++ in PGI (Performance Grading Index) Ranking under Samagra Shiksha, he said.

The Lt. Governor further informed that in order to make the Islands 'Unemployment free-UT', the Island Administration is continuing its recruitment campaign by identifying all the vacant posts. Recently, Appointment Letters were handed over to 988 successful youth in the ‘Employment Fair’ held on 26th September, 2023, the Lt. Governor added.    The Lt. Governor urged the Islanders to make this campaign successful by taking advantage of the welfare schemes of the Government of India through maximum public participation.

The Lt. Governor assured that under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, he along with the Administration are committed to ensure multifaceted development of the Islands, so that the Islands can play a significant role in realizing the dream of a developed India.

The Lt. Governor also flagged off mobile Demo Van-cum-ATM of State Cooperative Bank. The General Manager, NABARD was also present on the occasion.  This van has been funded by NABARD.

Earlier, the school children presented a welcome dance followed by a tribal dance. The beneficiaries of various schemes shared their experience on the occasion. A drama based on ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ showcasing impact of various schemes in transforming Vulnerable Families/Pariwar to ‘Viksit Pariwar leading to Viksit Bharat’ besides a skit was by the Self Help Group was presented on the occasion.

The Vans will travel to rural and urban areas, disseminating information through audio-visuals, brochures, pamphlets and other mediums in regional languages. One of the major components of this yatra is that, it will not only disseminate information but also collect feedback about the schemes. During the Yatra, people will be able to share their experiences 'Kahaani Meri Zubaani’ and participate in on spot Quiz Competition. Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat will be live telecast through these vans. In addition, virtual question and answer session will be held with the Prime Minister. On-the-spot services such as Health Camps, Aadhaar enrolment, MY BHARAT volunteer enrolment would also be facilitated during the Yatra. Krishi activities like drone demonstrations and interaction with progressive farmers on Soil Health Cards and natural farming will also be the key objectives of the Yatra.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner (Nicobars), Ms Jyoti Kumari welcomed the gathering.