Stories of hope and dignity: how PMAY and Welfare Schemes uplifted ordinary citizens

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared touching memories from his visits to Odisha in 2024 highlighting the transformative impact of welfare schemes. One of the most memorable moments occurred during his visit to Gadakana in Bhubaneswar where he was offered ‘Khiri’ an Odia sweet by a tribal family benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The emotional highpoint of the visit came when PM Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the home of Antaryami Nayak a daily laborer. Antaryami once living in a crumbling mud house had never imagined owning a solid brick home. Thanks to PMAY he now lives in a sturdy pucca house with his family. Antaryami’s daughter, Sadhabi, prepared the traditional dessert of kheer which PM Modi enjoyed. He later mentioned that the kheer reminded him of his late mother making the moment even more poignant.

Sadhabi reflected on the experience, saying, “Meeting the Prime Minister and Chief Minister felt like a blessing. When they tasted the kheer I made, I felt so proud and grateful. It was a day our family will never forget.”

In the same village, shopkeeper Jhuna Dehuri and his wife Minati expressed their gratitude for the positive changes brought by various government schemes. Besides PMAY, the Subhadra Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana have provided them with access to a proper home and clean cooking fuel. Minati even presented the Prime Minister with a framed photograph of Lord Jagannath. Jhuna said, “The Prime Minister asked us about our well-being and how these schemes had changed our lives. We felt deeply honoured.”

The stories of Antaryami, Jhuna, and others underscore the profound impact of the PMAY and other welfare schemes on the lives of ordinary citizens. Gadakana Upara Sabar Sahi, a village now being transformed into a model settlement, stands as a beacon of change, with 36 families having benefited from the PMAY.

These initiatives not only provide homes but also offer hope, security, and dignity to families who were once struggling. As children play in front of their new homes, the village stands as a testament to the power of development that truly puts people first.