PM inaugurates Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital at Dharampur in Valsad, Gujarat
PM also lays foundation stone of Shrimad Rajchandra Centre of Excellence for Women and Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital, Valsad, Gujarat
“New Hospital strengthens the spirit of Sabka Prayas in the field of healthcare”
“It is our responsibility to bring to the fore ‘Nari Shakti’ as ‘Rashtra Shakti’”
“People who have devoted their lives to the empowerment of women, tribal, deprived segments are keeping the consciousness of the country alive”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur in Valsad district, Gujarat via video conferencing. Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel was among those present on the occasion.


Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said hospital projects will prove to be of great service to women and other needy sections of society. He praised the spirit of silent service of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission.

Recalling his long associations with the Mission, the Prime Minister praised their record of service and said that this spirit of duty is the need of the hour in today's time of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The PM expressed happiness over the commendable work done by the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission under the leadership of Pujya Gurudev in the field of rural health in Gujarat. He said that the Mission’s commitment to the service of the poor gets strengthened by the new hospital. This hospital and the research centre will make affordable quality healthcare accessible to everyone. “This is going to give strength to the vision of a healthy India in the ‘Amrit Kaal’. This also strengthens the spirit of Sabka Prayas (everyone's efforts) in the field of healthcare”, he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated, that “in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the country is remembering its children, who made efforts to bring India out of slavery. Shrimad Rajchandra ji was such a saint whose great contribution is part of the history of this country.” He also narrated the admiration of Mahatma Gandhi for Shrimad Rajchandra ji. He expressed gratitude to Shri Rakesh Ji for continuing the work of the Shrimad.

The Prime Minister said that such people who have devoted their lives to the empowerment of women, tribal people and deprived segments are keeping the consciousness of the country alive. Referring to the big step in the form of the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Women, the Prime Minister said that Shrimad, Rajchandra ji was very much insistent on the empowerment of daughters through education and skills. Shrimad spoke earnestly about women empowerment at a very young age. It is the responsibility of all of us to bring the women's power in the country to the fore in the form of national power in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said.

The Prime Minister remarked that the central government is trying to remove every obstacle that is being faced by the sisters and daughters, which prevents them from progressing. The Prime Minister also stated that the health policy that India is following today concerns the health of every living being around us. India is running a nationwide vaccination campaign not just for humans but also for animals.

About the project

The project cost of Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital at Dharampur in Valsad is around Rs. 200 crores. It is a 250-bed multispecialty hospital with cutting-edge medical infrastructure that will provide world-class tertiary medical facilities, especially to the people of the Southern Gujarat region.

Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital is going to be a 150-bed hospital and will be built at a cost of around Rs. 70 crores. It will be equipped with top-class facilities and a dedicated team of veterinarians and ancillary staff. The Hospital will provide holistic medical care alongside conventional medicine for the care and upkeep of animals.

Shrimad Rajchandra Center of Excellence for Women will be built at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 crores. It will have facilities for recreation, classrooms for self-development sessions, and rest areas. It will employ over 700 tribal women and subsequently provide a livelihood to thousands of others.

Click here to read full text speech

Explore More
Today, the entire country and entire world is filled with the spirit of Bhagwan Shri Ram: PM Modi at Dhwajarohan Utsav in Ayodhya

Popular Speeches

Today, the entire country and entire world is filled with the spirit of Bhagwan Shri Ram: PM Modi at Dhwajarohan Utsav in Ayodhya
India’s digital economy enters mature phase as video dominates: Nielsen

Media Coverage

India’s digital economy enters mature phase as video dominates: Nielsen
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
Cabinet approves increase in the Judge strength of the Supreme Court of India by Four to 37 from 33
May 05, 2026

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the proposal for introducing The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament to amend The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 for increasing the number of Judges of the Supreme Court of India by 4 from the present 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).

Point-wise details:

Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 provides for increasing the number of Judges of the Supreme Court by 04 i.e. from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).

Major Impact:

The increase in the number of Judges will allow Supreme Court to function more efficiently and effectively ensuring speedy justice.

Expenditure:

The expenditure on salary of Judges and supporting staff and other facilities will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Background:

Article 124 (1) in Constitution of India inter-alia provided “There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges…”.

An act to increase the Judge strength of the Supreme Court of India was enacted in 1956 vide The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956. Section 2 of the Act provided for the maximum number of Judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India) to be 10.

The Judge strength of the Supreme Court of India was increased to 13 by The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1977. The working strength of the Supreme Court of India was, however, restricted to 15 Judges by the Cabinet, excluding the Chief Justice of India, till the end of 1979, when the restriction was withdrawn at the request of the Chief Justice of India.

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986 further augmented the Judge strength of the Supreme Court of India, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 17 to 25. Subsequently, The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2008 further augmented the Judge strength of the Supreme Court of India from 25 to 30.

The Judge strength of the Supreme Court of India was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the Chief Justice of India) by further amending the original act vide The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019.