The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a nationwide initiative aimed at offering credit support to the marginalized segments of society today, where Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest of the event.

During the event, PM unveiled the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan' (PM-SURAJ) national portal online which symbolized the ministry’s dedication in placing the underprivileged at the forefront, towards uplifting the most marginalized sections of society, and supported credit assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs hailing from disadvantaged communities.

Prime Minister Shri Modi personally interacted with beneficiaries from various states who have been benefitted under schemes like NAMASTE, VCF-SC,VCF-BC, ASIIM from disadvantaged groups, that includes Scheduled Castes, backward classes, and Safai Mitras.

Furthermore, Ayushman health cards and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits were distributed by the ministry to sewer and septic tank workers (Safai Mitras) under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).

The Ayushman health card is a form of identification issued under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a government-sponsored health insurance scheme in India. It provides beneficiaries with access to cashless and paperless healthcare services at empaneled hospitals. The card contains essential information about the beneficiary, including their unique identification number and details of covered healthcare services.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits consist of various protective garments and accessories designed to shield individuals from potential health hazards or infections. These kits typically include items such as masks, gloves, goggles, face shields, gowns, and shoe covers. PPE kits are crucial for ensuring the safety of frontline workers, especially those who are exposed to hazardous environments or infectious diseases, such as sewer and septic tank workers.

The event witnessed the reaffirmation of the government's commitment to "Vanchiton Ko Variyata" , ensuring that those who have been historically underserved or overlooked are given the attention and support they deserve. This dedication to prioritizing the marginalized reflects the government's broader vision of "Viksit Bharat," where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India's development journey.

The event also saw active participation, with over three lakh individuals attending offline, and an additional three lakh viewers tuning in online. This overwhelming engagement underscores the collective determination to foster inclusivity and prosperity for all sections of society. Through collaborative efforts and concerted initiatives, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment remains steadfast in its mission to leave no one behind and build a more equitable and empowered society.

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MG/MS/VL