PANAJI: On his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched major initiatives for women’s health and child nutrition, including the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA), the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, the Suman Sakhi Chatbot, and direct transfers under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Speaking after the state-level Seva Pakhwada programme at Kala Academy in Panaji today, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant described the launches as “landmark steps towards women empowerment and nutritional security.” He said the SNSPA would see over one lakh health camps across Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and CHCs, adding, “In Goa, free screenings for anaemia, hypertension, diabetes and cancer will be held at PHCs and CHCs. I appeal to all our mothers and sisters to take full advantage of this campaign.”
The CM noted that under PMMVY, women beneficiaries will receive Rs 5,000 on the birth of their first girl child and Rs 6,000 on the birth of a second. “Through direct benefit transfer, the support reaches the mother instantly and transparently,” he said. Sawant also welcomed the launch of the Suman Sakhi Chatbot, calling it “a useful digital tool that will guide women on maternal and child health.”
Highlighting Goa’s efforts, Sawant said nearly 50,000 women are connected through self-help groups under the Rural Development Agency. “In a small state like Goa, we have disbursed more than Rs 350 crore in revolving loans to self-help groups without any collateral. Today alone, loan cheques worth Rs 62 crore were distributed. This is true women's empowerment in action,” he said.
He further pointed to initiatives like the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan and Aadi Seva Parv for tribal welfare, and the PM’s call for Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat. “By giving the slogan ‘Garv se hum Swadeshi bechte hai,’ the Prime Minister has reminded us that every rupee spent on Indian goods strengthens our economy and honours the hard work of our people,” Sawant said.
“On behalf of the people of Goa, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the Prime Minister on his birthday. His vision has brought both infrastructure and human resource development to our state, from the Mopa International Airport, super speciality hospitals, IIT and NIT institutions, and the National Water Sports Institute. Under a double-engine government, we will continue this journey of Seva aur Samarpan,” the CM added.
