Govt. committed to upliftment of specially-abled children, assures PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured the nation that his government is taking measures for the welfare of specially-abled children.

Addressing the nation over All India Radio for the second time in 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Prime Minister Modi praised the officers of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development for coming up with two innovative schemes for specially-abled children.

"The first is: one thousand scholarships for specially-abled children to pursue technical education. The second is: a grant of one lakh rupees each to all Kendriya Vidyalayas and all Central Universities for creating appropriate infrastructure for the specially-abled," he added.

Congratulating his government for coming up with this thought, Prime Minister Modi informed that funds have been allotted for building of special infrastructure for the specially-abled children.

The Prime Minister further expressed concern over the increasing drug menace in the country, especially among the youth, and asked the people to share more information regarding this issue.

"One person wrote to me about the drug menace in the country. Please share more information with me, I will discuss it in my next address of 'Mann Ki Baat'. It's true that not everybody has access to Facebook and Twitter, so write to me on postal address, I will read that too. I will try and speak to you next month again," said Prime Minister Modi.

"Till when will such issues be brushed under the carpet? We have to address them with good intentions. We can't keep hiding things. We have to focus on these problems afflicting the society, it's time to tackle it," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further recalled his visit to the Siachen on the occasion of Diwali and praised the jawans for keeping the nation safe and secure.

"I experienced in how much difficulty they spend their lives," he said, and added that the people of the country could celebrate Diwali only because of them.

He congratulated the army men, who had recently won the Cambrian Patrol event in Britain, where armies from 140 countries had participated.

Prime Minister Modi also appreciated the country's sportspersons for bringing laurels to the nation.

Prime Minister Modi's first ''Mann Ki Baat' programme was held on October 3 this year.