Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday (June 29), highlighted the remarkable expansion of India’s social welfare landscape, noting that around 95 crore citizens are now benefiting from one social security scheme or another.
“Today, around 95 crore people of the country are getting the benefit of some or the other social security scheme; whereas, till 2015, the government schemes were reaching less than 25 crore people,” he said.
Quoting a recent report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), PM Modi said, “More than 64% of the population of India is now definitely availing some sort of social protection benefit or the other." He called it "one of the biggest coverages in the world," underscoring India’s leap in delivering welfare to its population.
The Prime Minister emphasised that from healthcare to financial security, India is advancing with a "feeling of saturation in every field."
“This is also a great picture of social justice,” PM Modi stated, adding, “These successes have instilled a belief that the coming times will be even better; India will become even stronger at every step.”
He also celebrated a significant public health achievement—India being declared Trachoma-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection once a major cause of preventable blindness, is no longer a public health threat in the country. PM Modi lauded healthcare professionals, calling the milestone a “remarkable” victory for public health.
Turning to culture and spirituality, he extended best wishes to those embarking on various religious yatras, saying, “I also commend those who are engaged in making these Yatras successful and safe with a spirit of service.”
He praised the role of citizens in driving grassroots environmental efforts, noting that people across India are becoming “catalysts of change” in conservation, helping protect the planet for generations to come.
PM Modi also touched on India's cultural diplomacy, sharing that people in Vietnam expressed heartfelt appreciation to India for facilitating the darshan of relics of Bhagwan Buddha—a gesture that, he said, reflects “our timeless cultural bond.”