The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted with Ujjwala beneficiaries across the country, through video conference.
Three Ujjwala beneficiaries were present at each of over 600 centres across the length and breadth of the country, for this interaction.
An estimated 10 lakh people viewed the interaction through various platforms, which included the Narendra Modi App and various television news channels and social media platforms, among others.
Expressing happiness at being able to interact with the beneficiaries, and share their experiences, through technology, the Prime Minister said that the Ujjwala scheme has become a symbol of progress. He added that it is driving remarkable social transformation, which is in turn, influencing the holistic development of the country.
Approximately 4 crore women in rural areas have received LPG connections so far, through the UjjwalaYojana. In all, nearly 10 crore new LPG connections have been issued in the four years since 2014, as compared to 13 crore in the nearly six decade period from 1955 to 2014.
In his initial remarks, the Prime Minister quoted a story written by MunshiPremchand in 1933, to highlight the importance of easing the lives of home-makers. He said Ujjwala has brought about benefits through better health outcomes, freedom from poisonous smoke andcleaner fuel. He said women now have a greater opportunity to earn extra income, as time spent on cooking has been reduced.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Union Government has been paying attention to ensure that there are no middlemen involved in this scheme, and the beneficiaries are chosen through a transparent process.
He said that 69 percent villages in India now have 100 percent LPG penetration, while 81 percent villages have more than 75 percent LPG penetration.
Interacting with the Prime Minister, beneficiaries explained how the LPG connection had reduced time spent on cooking, and enhanced the quality of life for the entire family.
Happy to be connecting with people from all over India. Technology is truly transforming lives.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
Ujjwala Yojana has positively impacted the lives of several people across India: PM @narendramodi
Ujjwala Yojana has strengthened the lives of the poor, marginalised, Dalits, Tribal communities. This initiative is playing a central role in social empowerment: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/vmRPtYigRh
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
Till 2014, 13 crore families got LPG connection. This means, for over six decades the figure stood at 13 crore. It was mostly the rich people who got LPG connections.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
In the last 4 years, 10 crore new connections have been added and the poor benefitted: PM @narendramodi
When I was young, I would see that the rich and big people would have gas connections. They would tell us, the poor people- it is unsafe to have a gas connection at home. When we would ask them why do they have it in their homes, they were silent: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
I will never forget one of Premchand's stories, Idgah.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
The story is about young Hamid, who does not buy sweets or gifts during Id but buys a 'Chimta' so that his grandmother does not burn her hands while cooking. This story is extremely emotional: PM @narendramodi
Ujjwala Yojana is leading to better health for India's Nari Shakti: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
When I was young and my mother would be cooking, we remember the smoke. I also remember the pains she took so that us, her little children to inhale the smoke: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
LPG Panchayats are being held across India, where key information regarding Ujjwala Yojana, safety measures are discussed: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
Suchsmita Kabata from Mayurbhanj in Odisha talks about how Ujjwala has transformed her life. She says that due to Ujjwala Yojana she cooks faster and spend more time with her children. She also says now her children do not go hungry during monsoons and she can cook new things.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
A group of women from Chhattisgarh are interacting with PM @narendramodi. One of the women got her connection in 2016 and she feels it has enhanced the quality of life for her entire family. She adds that her children are particularly happy.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
When I was young, I had many Muslim neighbours. Many of my friends were Muslims. I remember during Ramzan, women woke up particularly early but the coming of the Ujjwala Yojana would have changed that too: PM @narendramodi while interacting with a group of women from Anantnag
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
Ujjwala Yojana gives us more time to pursue other things like stitching. During Ramzan in particular life has become easier thanks to Ujjwala Yojana: Ms. Arjumana
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
This is the month of Ramzan. We read the Holy Quran daily. We are going to pray daily for you and we hope that you continue to serve us as the Prime Minister: group of women from Anantnag tell PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 28, 2018
