Thrissur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed over 2 lakh women at the BJP State Mahila conference at Naikkanal here after a massive roadshow.
He greeted the women gathering in Malayalam before starting his speech. The Prime Minister thanked women for arriving in large numbers to greet him in the land of Thrissur pooram.
Women power
"The UDF and LDF have time and again ignored the power of women. Only the BJP government could pass the Women's Reservation Bill for the welfare of the women," he said.
The Prime Minister also listed a series of initiatives, which he called the 'Modi's guarantee', taken by BJP government in the past 10 years to help women -- Ten crore LPG connections under Ujjwala scheme, 11 crore water pipe connections, 12 crore toilets, Suvidha scheme, bank accounts for women etc were some of the schemes he listed.
"Today is the birth anniversary of Velu Nachiyar and Savitribai Phule," Modi said at the beginning of his speech. The PM also remembered the contributions of activists like A V Kuttimalu, Rosamma Ponnoose and Accamma Cherian during the Mahila conference.
"Karthiyaniamma and Bhageerathi Amma proved that age was no bar for education.Tribal singer Nanjiamma was recognised with a National Award under this government," he said.
Religious sentiments
Modi also slammed the INDIA front for hurting the religious sentiments of the people and considering temples as mere revenue generating sources. In a veiled reference to the increase of ground fee for Thrissur pooram, he said, "The political game surrounding the festival is unfortunate." He added that the LDF's mismanagement of Sabarimala pilgrimage has also hurt the sentiments of devotees. "We all know about the gold smuggling game which happens at offices here," he said.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the Christmas lunch he hosted and the blessings received from the Christian community leaders.
Roadshow
BJP state president K Surendran and Suresh Gopi, tipped to be the party's candidate for Lok Sabha election from Thrissur, accompanied Modi in the road show vehicle.
Thousands of people thronged the Swaraj Round to get a glance of the Prime Minister. With crackers, pulikkali, chenda melam, band music and various other cultural programmes, the BJP recreated a Thrissur pooram ambience in the city for the PM.
The Prime Minister, who arrived at Nedumbassery by a special flight from Agathi, reached Thrissur's Kuttanalloor in a helicopter. The PM was received by Thrissur Collector V R Krishna Teja. BJP state leadership also organised a reception for Modi at Kuttanalloor as well as near the Thrissur District General Hospital before the roadshow.
The Mahila Conference
The 'Sthree Shakthi Modikk Oppam' (Empower Women with Modi) convention held at the sprawling Thekkinkadu ground, is being organised by the Kerala unit of the BJP to congratulate Modi for successfully passing the Women's Reservation Bill in both Houses of Parliament.
While addressing the Mahila Conference, BJP senior leader Sobha Surendran gave a clear hint that Suresh Gopi will be the BJP lok sabha candidate from Thrissur.
Around 2 lakh women from diverse backgrounds, including anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers, entrepreneurs, artists, MGNREGA and neighbourhood network workers, and social and cultural activists, are expected to participate in the event.
Mariyakutty, who went on strike against the State government to get welfare pension, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, Indian women cricketer Minnumani, Malayalam actor Shobhana, social activist Uma Preman, entrepreneur Beena Kanna, Padma Shri winner Dr Sosamma Iype, singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi and others will share the stage with the Prime Minister.
Union Minister V Muraleedharan, Prakash Javadekar, Radha Mohan Aggarwal, AP Abdullakutty, Tom Vadakan, Anil Antony, BJP State President K Surendran and others will accompany the Prime Minister. Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi will also attend the event.
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