Wednesday, December 17, 2025
ADVT 
India

Disabled Have Divine Ability, Government Scheme In Guinness Records: Modi

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Dec, 2015 02:49 PM
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said physically challenged people have a "divine ability" and urged people to change the way to address them.
     
    He also said the government's "Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme" has received a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest such scheme.
     
    The action plan of 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' will be launched on January 16, Modi said, as he greeted the nation on Christmas and New Year.
     
    Addressing the public in his last monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat" for 2015, Modi said: "Start-up India, Stand-up India has brought new opportunity for the youth of our country. Be it manufacturing, service sector or agriculture, this new initiative will bring in new ideas, new ways, and new innovations." 
     
    "The action plan of 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' will be launched on January 16. A blueprint will be presented on that day," he said while extending his "greetings for Christmas and New Year to every citizen of India".
     
    Modi urged the public to change the way physically challenged people are addressed. 
     
    "We often address the physically challenged people as handicapped, disabled and specially-abled. But sometimes, when we get introduced to them, we get to know that they are endowed with 'extra power' which can't be seen with bare eyes," he said.
     
    "Then this idea came to my mind: why don't we use the term 'Divyang' (divine body) instead of 'Viklang' for the physically challenged people?"
     
     
    Modi said they are endowed with an ability which is divine. "Normal people like us are not gifted with such powers."
     
    On the government's "Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme", he said it has received a place in the record book as the largest direct benefit transfer scheme.
     
    "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme has recently found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and it has been implemented successfully."
     
    As of now, already Rs.40,000 crore has been transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries through different schemes, he said.
     
    "I believe about 35-40 schemes are being integrated with the direct benefit transfer scheme."
     
    Observing that there has been little discussion over fundamental duties in the country, Modi invited people's views on it by the Republic Day.
     
    "There is a lot of discussion on fundamental rights and there should be. But there is very little discussion on fundamental duties. Our Constitution gives importance to duties as well."
     
    He called on schools and colleges to hold essay-writing and poetry competitions on the topic "duties" before January 26. 
     
     
    Modi asked people to express their views on duties on the 'mygov.in' portal, so that he could learn what they think.
     
    He also said that before Republic Day, people should take on the task of cleaning up the statues of various personalities located in various cities, towns and villages.
     
    He also sought ideas from the youth about the 'National Youth Festival' that will commence on January 12, marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
     
    In his bid to reach out to the people, Modi invited people to connect with him by downloading the 'Narendra Modi App'.
     
    On cleanliness, he stressed the need to pay attention to tourist spots.
     
    "We must ensure cleanliness at tourist places," Modi said citing a letter by Ganesh V. Sawaleshwarkar from Pune.
     
    He said Ganesh raised a vital point on the importance of cleanliness at tourist places and pilgrimage sites.
     
    Modi welcomed Ganesh's suggestion, saying clean tourist spots will contribute to building a better image of India in the world. He said many foreigners come to visit the country during the festival season.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    U.S. States With Legal Pot Grapple With Edible Treats, Impaired Driving

    U.S. States With Legal Pot Grapple With Edible Treats, Impaired Driving
    VANCOUVER — A Colorado official has some sobering words of advice for Justin Trudeau if he fulfils his promise to legalize pot in Canada.

    U.S. States With Legal Pot Grapple With Edible Treats, Impaired Driving

    Under Fire Over suspension, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar Reinstates Panj Pyaras

    Under Fire Over suspension, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar Reinstates Panj Pyaras
    In an unprecedented move, the Panj Pyaras of the Akal Takht on October 23 had asked the SGPC to remove the Jathedars of five Takhts after they failed to turn up in the Golden Temple complex

    Under Fire Over suspension, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar Reinstates Panj Pyaras

    Punjab Violence: Badal Replaces Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh With Suresh Arora

    Punjab Violence: Badal Replaces Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh With Suresh Arora
    Arora, a 1982-batch IPS officer, was serving as the Director General of Police-cum-Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau. 

    Punjab Violence: Badal Replaces Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh With Suresh Arora

    Teenage Girl Falls From 3rd Floor In South Delhi, Dies

    Teenage Girl Falls From 3rd Floor In South Delhi, Dies
    A teenaged girl died after allegedly slipping and falling from third floor balcony of her house in the Safdarjung Enclave area here on Saturday, police said.

    Teenage Girl Falls From 3rd Floor In South Delhi, Dies

    Amaravati, An Ancient City's Rebirth As Modern Capital

    Amaravati, An Ancient City's Rebirth As Modern Capital
    No development of a new state capital has generated so much excitement as has Amaravati, whose foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

    Amaravati, An Ancient City's Rebirth As Modern Capital

    Defence Ministry Nod To Women As IAF Fighter Pilots

    Defence Ministry Nod To Women As IAF Fighter Pilots
    While the first batch would be commissioned in the IAF in June 2016, after one year of advanced training women will be flying fighter jets by 2017

    Defence Ministry Nod To Women As IAF Fighter Pilots