New Delhi / Mumbai : 30 May 2022

 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released benefits under PM CARES for Children Scheme today via video conference. Union Minister Smt Smriti Irani, many other members of the Council of Ministers, and Chief Ministers were among those connected to the event.

 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister empathized with the difficulties in the lives of those children who lost their loved ones due to Corona. “Every day's struggle, every day's challenges. It is difficult to put into words the pain of the children who are with us today, for whom this program is happening”, a moved Prime Minister told the children. He told them that he is speaking as a member of the family, not as a Prime Minister.

In such a scenario, the Prime Minister said “PM CARES for Children is a small effort to reduce the difficulties of such corona affected children who lost both their mother and father. PM CARES for children is also a reflection of the fact that every countryman is with you with the utmost sensitivity.” The Prime Minister informed that if someone needs an education loan for professional courses or higher education, then PM-CARES will help in that too. For other daily needs, arrangements have also been made for Rs 4,000 every month for them through other schemes. Apart from Rs 10 lakh on attaining the age of 23 years the children will be given health coverage through the Ayushman Card and emotional counselling through Samvad helpline for psychological and emotional help.

The Prime Minister saluted the children for facing the most painful impact of the pandemic so bravely and said that nothing can compensate for the love of the parents. “Maa Bharati is with all you children in this hour of difficulty”. The nation is trying to meet its responsibility through PM CARES for Children, he said.

The Prime Minister recalled the instances of human kindness during the pandemic, especially how people contributed to the welfare of the affected people. The Prime Minister noted that this fund also helped a lot in preparing hospitals, buying ventilators and setting up oxygen plants during the Corona period. Because of this many lives could be saved, and the future of many families could be saved.

The Prime Minister advised the children not to allow despair to turn into defeat. He asked them to listen to their elders and their teacher. He also said that in these difficult times good books can be their reliable friends. He also asked them to stay disease-free and get involved and lead Khelo India and Fit India Movement. He also asked them to participate in the Yoga day also. He said that in that atmosphere of negativity, India relied on its strength. “We trusted our scientists, our doctors, and our youth. And, we came out as a ray of hope, not a worry for the world. We did not become the problem but we came out as the solution giver.”

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that today when his government is completing its 8 years, the confidence of the country, the confidence of the countrymen in themselves is unprecedented.

Union Ministers join the programme from Maharahtra, distribute benefits

Union Ministers from the state of Maharashtra joined the programme online from various locations across the state and distributed the folders containing scheme documents for the beneficiary orphan children who had lost their parents due to COVID-19 pandemic during the period starting from 11^th March, 2020 to 28^th February, 2022.

In the presence of Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari at the District Collector's Office in Nagpur, certificates were given to the children orphaned by the pandemic under the PM Cares for Children  scheme. Shri Gadkari appealed to the children to take advantage of these schemes and stand on their own feet. In Nagpur, 10,000 deaths were caused by COVID-19, including some children's parents. The Union Minister said that such orphans would be able to get out of this crisis and re-create their future with new hope as they would get health insurance, monthly stipend and many other benefits from the PM Cares scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In Mumbai, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Shri L Murugan handed over the certificates to 18 such orphan children. He said that PM CARES for Children is a small attempt to alleviate the plight of children affected by Corona. “Prime Minister Modi has pledged to stand behind the orphans and support them like a family member, urging them to move on with their lives” he said.

MoS for Railways, Coal and Mines Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve joined the event from Ratnagiri, MoS - Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil from Raigarh and MoS – Finance Dr. Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad joined from Chandrapur and MoS for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism Shri Shripad Yesso Naik joined in the conference from Nashik in Maharashtra. The Ministers interacted with the orphan children and handed over the scheme documents and a letter from PM to them. A total of 217 children from the state, including 35 children aged above 18 years from the state were identified by the District Collectors with the assistance of Police, District Child Protection Units and civil society organizations for receiving benefits of the PM Cares for Children.

 

 

MoS Kapil Moreshwar Patil in Raigad

 

MoS Rao Saheb Patil Danve in Ratnagiri

MoS Dr. Bhagwat Karad in Chandrapur

PIB Del/Mum/SC/PM

 

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