PM Modi Highlights Economic Support Schemes and Youth Campaigns in 137th 'Mann Ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to citizens to unite against drug abuse to secure a stronger future for the country's youth. Speaking during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, the Prime Minister noted that drug addiction impacts not just individuals, but entire families and societies.

Highlighting the 'Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India' (Nasha-mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat or NMBA) campaign, the Prime Minister stated that the initiative is gaining momentum across the country. Launched on August 15, 2020, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), the flagship government campaign focuses on preventing substance abuse through community participation, awareness generation, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.

During his address, the Prime Minister encouraged young musicians, students, and theatre groups to use their creativity to design powerful slogans, songs, and short plays highlighting the dangers of substance abuse and the path to recovery. He also urged content creators to leverage social media platforms to spread awareness using the hashtag #NashaMuktYuva.

Shifting focus to government welfare schemes, the Prime Minister discussed the PM SVANidhi Yojana, noting its impact on street vendors. Launched in June 2020 to help street vendors recover from the financial setbacks of the Covid pandemic, the scheme provides financial support and formal recognition to workers in the informal economy.

According to the Prime Minister, nearly 46 percent of the beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi Scheme are women, translating to approximately 35 lakh women utilizing the scheme to expand their businesses and increase their household incomes. Initially slated to run until December 31, 2024, the scheme's timeline has been extended to March 31, 2030.

Concluding his address ahead of the festive season, the Prime Minister urged citizens to adopt a 'Vocal for Local' approach. He emphasized that buying Indian-made products is a crucial step toward achieving self-reliance and boosting domestic economic growth.

"The emphasis on grassroots economic support systems, such as the PM SVANidhi Scheme supporting women street vendors, highlights the crucial role micro-entrepreneurs play in the broader Indian economy. Formalizing and extending such welfare frameworks through 2030 provides much-needed stability to informal businesses. Additionally, the call for creative industries and content creators to build awareness campaigns around social initiatives like drug prevention demonstrates how public engagement can drive meaningful community and economic outcomes." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes