PM Narendra Modi’s Durga Puja address to WB: ‘Mission to empower women is going in at rapid pace in India’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the people of West Bengal on Thursday, on the festivity eve of Durga Puja, which is the biggest festival of West Bengal.

Addressing the Durga puja on the sixth day of Navaratri festival or Durga Shasthi, PM delivered the address via video-conferencing, expressing his joy for the festivities, and inaugurating the Durga Puja Pandal.

Modi commenced his speech by addressing the people in Bengali, and said he was blessed to be a part of Maa Durga Pujo’s Mahashashti celebrations. He said the power of Maa Durga and the dedication of the civilians, makes him feel present right in West Bengal among the celebrations. He also iterated on maintaining precautions pertaining to Covid-19.

Speaking about the festival, PM said it reflects unity and strength of India and the royal traditions and culture of the people from Bengal.

On the occasion of Durga Pujo, the Prime Minister’s address was centred on the women empowerment and the efforts the government, at the state level and the Centre is putting forth for ensuring their safety, well-being and growth. He highlighted the various drives for women, which included Mudra Yojna, Beti-Bachao Beti Padhao, Triple talak bill, free-check up facilities for pregnant woman, nutrition drives, building toilets in the houses based on Swaach Bharat, increasing the leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, permanent posting for the army and safety for working in night shift.

PM Modi further said work is being done for ensuring women safety and that rape punishments have become more stringent.

Modi then shifted his address talking about the progress of Bengal. Iterating on Atma Nirbhar Bharat, PM said ‘Sonar Bangla’ objective will be met.

Highlighting on the progress by attempts in Bengal, Modi revealed that in Bengal, 30 Lakh houses have been build for the poor, 90 L women have got free gas connection, 4 crore poor have bank accounts, 4 L houses have been accessible to free drinking water, persistent efforts for improving the infrastructure of the state are also going on, PM said.

Modi further revealed that Rs. 8,500 crore have been sanctioned for Kolkata’s East West Metro.

He concluded the address by expressing his joy and pride in being a part of the festive celebrations and lauded the people of Bengal on the festivities.