Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today inaugurated the Surat District Co-Operative Milk Producer’s Union Limited (SUMUL) cattle feed plant at Bajipura in southern Gujarat. He also laid the Foundation Stone for three Lift Irrigation Schemes, and inaugurated the Drinking Water Supply Scheme for Vyara Town and Jesinhpur-Dolvan Groups of Tapi district.
Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister recalled having worked in this area for a long time. He said that the SUMUL has empowered several people in the nearby areas. He said the stretch from Umbergaon to Ambaji has been transformed and this has benefited the tribal communities of Gujarat. “Here, in SUMUL we see the positive results that can be achieved when Sahkar (Cooperatives) and Sarkar (Government) work together,” the Prime Minister said. He said that the SUMUL also illustrates the good that happens when farmers and dairies work closely.
The Prime Minister said that Tapi district is one of the newer districts of Gujarat, and he is happy to see it achieve remarkable progress.He called for value addition in the agriculture sector, and focus on increasing per capita milk production.
Modi also inaugurated the Kiran Multi-Speciality Hospital, and the Diamond Manufacturing Unit of Hare Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd in Surat. He described the effort devoted towards making the hospital as “commendable”, and added that the state-of-the-art hospital would benefit citizens. He emphasized that the poor must have access to quality and affordable healthcare. In this context he talked about the Union Government’s initiatives to bring down the prices of medicines, stents etc. He said that he is committed to providing affordable healthcare for the poor and the middle class. Calling for focus on preventive healthcare, the Prime Minister said that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is linked to efforts towards a healthier India.
The Prime Minister said Surat has made a mark in the diamond industry but there is now need to look at the entire gems and jewellery sector. He said that as far as the gems and jewellery sector is concerned, our aim should not only be ‘Make in India’ but also ‘Design in India’.
