As Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi marks his birthday on September 17, Madhya Pradesh will light 58 lakh "Aashirwad Ke Deepak (lamps of blessings)" across the state, including at Mahakal Lok in Ujjain, as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan initiated by state Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav.

The campaign will commemorate what the Chief Minister described as PM Modi’s 25 years of dedicated public service and commitment to the nation.

CM Dr Yadav said that from his tenure as Gujarat chief minister to his present role as Prime Minister, Modi had worked to bring the poor, farmers, youth, women and deprived sections into the mainstream of development.

The lighting of the lamps, he said, would be an expression of gratitude for the Prime Minister’s journey in public life, which began on October 7, 2001, when he assumed office as Gujarat chief minister.

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan will be organised across Madhya Pradesh from September 17 to October 17, reaffirming the commitment to making public service an important political ethos.

Garib Kalyan at centre of governance

According to the state government, Garib Kalyan has remained at the centre of governance under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Crores of people have benefited from free foodgrains, while millions of families have received support through housing, sanitation, social security and healthcare schemes.

The government also highlighted PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat chief minister, when agriculture, industry and investment, along with speed and outcome-oriented governance, became key features of his administrative approach.

It said India had emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy and was playing a more confident role on the global stage. The government also pointed to initiatives such as Start-up India, Skill Development, Make in India, Digital India, Khelo India and Fit India as measures that have opened new opportunities for young people.

Push for self-reliance and welfare

The state government also highlighted the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and National Education Policy 2020 as major initiatives. Ayushman Bharat, it said, had helped protect poor families from the financial burden of serious illnesses.

Several programmes aimed at empowering women were also cited, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ladli Behna, Lakhpati Didi and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

The government said India had also made progress in energy diversification and self-reliance, with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana promoting rooftop solar power and efforts to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities.

MP steps up development push

CM Dr Yadav said his government was committed to translating the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas into action.

More than 85,000 young people have been appointed to government services in the state, while the government has set a target of creating public-sector employment opportunities for more than one lakh youth every year in the coming years.

The Ladli Behna Yojana, the government said, has strengthened women’s economic confidence and their role in household decision-making. It also highlighted initiatives under Krishak Kalyan Varsh, including compensation equivalent to four times the market value for agricultural land acquired in rural areas and continued expansion of irrigation capacity.

Investment, infrastructure and heritage in focus

Madhya Pradesh has received investment proposals worth nearly ₹34 lakh crore, of which proposals worth around ₹15 lakh crore have reached the implementation stage, the government said, adding that the state had emerged as the third-highest recipient of investment in a single year.

Airports in Rewa, Datia and Satna have taken the state’s total number of airports to eight. The Ken-Betwa Link Project and the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project are also expected to expand irrigation facilities.

The state is developing two metropolitan regions; Indore-Ujjain-Dewas-Dhar and Bhopal-Sehore-Raisen-Vidisha-Biaora, while targeting 50 per cent of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030.

Mahakal Lok, Omkareshwar, Orchha, Chitrakoot, Amarkantak, Sanchi and Khajuraho are being developed as centres showcasing India’s civilisation and cultural heritage.

CM Dr Yadav said that inspired by the Prime Minister’s 25-year journey of public service, his government remained committed to building a developed, prosperous and self-reliant Madhya Pradesh alongside a developed India.