New Delhi: Highlighting the Central government's focus on promoting millets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India has successfully demonstrated the nutritional value of the crop, transforming it into a globally recognised "superfood." He underscored that the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are not merely about electing MPs but also about reinvigorating the "Viksit Bharat" campaign.
Speaking at a public rally in Rajasthan's Karauli, PM Modi said, "The result of June 4 is clearly visible here in Karauli. It is saying '4 June 400 paar' and the whole Rajasthan is saying 'Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar'." "The Lok Sabha election of 2024 is not just limited to choosing the MP. is an election to provide new energy to the Vikshit Bharat campaign," he also said, ANI reported.
The Prime Minister emphasised that Rajasthan is a major producer of "Shree Anna," or millet, and that the millet is now well-known throughout the world. He also remembered that millets had been served at the state banquet in the White House during his state visit.
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"Rajasthan is much ahead in producing 'Shree Anna' like jowar, bajra...Earlier, no one paid heed to the farmers producing 'coarse grain'. We carried out the Millet Mission and showed the world that our millet is a 'superfood'. Today, it is recognised as 'Shree Anna' and its demand is rising globally," he added." Last year, in the White House, US President (Joe Biden) had invited me. A huge banquet was organised, which had an all-vegetarian menu, and even included our coarse grain," he further added.
Notably, at the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations proclaimed 2023 to be the "International Year of Millets."
Modi's Jibe At Congress
He also criticised the Congress party for failing to address the problems of the underprivileged, pointing out that millions of people now benefit from central government programmes like Ujjawala and Kisan Samman Nidhi. PM Modi further stressed his government's achievements for carrying free vaccinations for cattle and livestock.
"In the last 10 years, the BJP brought solutions to those problems on which the Congress had given up. Congress gave the slogan of 'Gareebi Hatao' for decades but Modi brought 25 crore of Indians out of poverty. Congress left farmers on their own but the BJP government is working to make farmers prosperous. Today 10 crore farmers are receiving Kisan Samman Nidhi," PM Modi said." "It is the first time that any government has been concerned for cattle too. In Rajasthan, domesticated animals of more than 80,000 farmers have been given free vaccinations," he further expressed, ANI quoted saying.
Rajasthan has 25 Lok Sabha MPs. BJP secured victory in all 25 seats in the state in 2014. Similarly, in 2019, the BJP-led coalition emerged victorious in all 25 constituencies, with the BJP clinching 24 seats.