NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a reduction of Rs 100 in cooking gas cylinder prices on Friday on the occasion of International Women's Day.
This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting “Nari Shakti” (women power), Modi said in a post on X.
“By making cooking gas more affordable, we also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment. This is in line with our commitment to empowering women and ensuring ease of living for them,” he said.
In a related decision, the government announced the extension of Rs 300 per LPG cylinder subsidy to poor women under the Ujjwala Yojana for the next fiscal starting April 1.
Later, addressing the National Creators' Awards at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital amid chants of "abki bar 400 paar", Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that he will address next year's function as well. He said that this is not “Modi’s guarantee”, but “the guarantee of 140-crore citizens of India”. He also urged the content creators to start the “Create on India Movement”.
Noting that the Lok Sabha polls were round the corner, Modi said, "I give you the guarantee that on the next Shivratri, which could be on some other date, it will be me who will preside over such a programme."
The Prime Minister said that he is confident that the BJP-led NDA will do well in the impending Lok Sabha polls because he believes that people feel strongly for him.
"You feel strongly for me, as I live for you. There are many people willing to die for those who live for others," he said, asserting that the people of the country are his family.
The Prime Minister urged the content creators to spread awareness among the youth and first-time voters in the country to instill the feeling that voting is not carried out to declare winners and losers in an election but to become a part of the decision-making process that crafts the future of such a massive country.
He noted that even though many nations became prosperous in different ways, they eventually opted for democracy. “India has taken the resolve to become a developed nation by taking pride in 100 per cent democracy,” the Prime Minister said.
In a veiled message to the Opposition parties, the Prime Minister said that there is going to be a "safai" (clean-up) in the upcoming elections.
Handing out the “Swachhta Ambassador Award” to Malhar Kalambe, Mr Modi took a dig at the Opposition and said, "Har prakaar ki safai mein kaam aa sakta hai, iss chunaav mein bhi safai hone wali hai (There is going to be a clean-up in this election too)."
Speaking after presenting the first-ever National Creators Award, Mr Modi urged the content creators to start a “Create on India Movement” and share the country’s stories, culture, heritage and traditions with the whole world.
Modi said: “Come, let us start a Create on India Movement. Let us share India’s stories, culture, heritage and traditions with the whole world. Let us ‘Create on India’ and ‘Create for the World’.”
The Prime Minister urged the content creators to engage the global audience to create content that not only makes for maximum likes for the creator but also for the country. Noting the curiosity of the world towards India, the Prime Minister urged content creators to develop work in UN languages such as German, French, Spanish, among others, to amplify their reach.
The Prime Minister underlined that the potential of content creators can take India's branding to a new height at the national and international levels.
Highlighting the impact of a multiplier effect of one scheme or policy on the development journey of the nation, Mr Modi mentioned the data revolution in the last 10 years and the availability of low-cost data. He credited the Digital India campaign for the formation of a new world for content creators and lauded the efforts of the youth in this direction.
"Youth, with their positive actions, have urged the government to look towards content creators,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister wished women on International Women's Day and urged content creators to showcase the capabilities of "Nari Shakti" of India and gave ideas of a mother conducting her daily tasks and women from rural and tribal areas engaging in economic activity.
“Content creation can help in rectifying incorrect perceptions,” he said.
Urging to create content that highlights the negative effects of drugs on youth, Mr Modi said, “We must say drugs are not cool.”
More than 1.5 lakh nominations across 20 different categories were received for the National Creators' Awards. Subsequently, in the voting round, about 10 lakh votes were cast for digital creators in various award categories. Following which, 23 winners, including three international creators, were decided.
Those awarded included Ranveer Allahbadia, who was named the "Disruptor of the Year". Jaya Kishor was given the award for "Best Creative for Social Change", Lakshya Dabas bagged the honour of "Most Impactful Agri Creator".
The "Best International Creator Award" was won by Kiri Paul from Tanzania, Drew Hicks from the United States of America and Cassandra Mae Spittmann from Germany. Mr Hicks received the award from Mr Modi.
The "New India Champion" award was given to Abhi and Niyu, the "Heritage Fashion Icon Award" to Jahnvi Singh, the "Best Creative Creator" (female) award went to Shraddha and RJ Raunaq received the "Best Creative Creator" (male) award.
The award for "Best Creator in Food" went to Kabita's Kitchen, Naman Deshmukh received the award in the "Best Creator in Education" category, Ankit Baiyanpuria was given the "Best Health and Fitness Creator" award, Nischay was given the "Gaming Creator" award, Aridaman was adjudged the "Best Micro Creator", Piyush Purohit won the "Best Nano Creator" award and Aman Gupta, famous for his involvement in the television programme "Shark Tank India", was given the "Best Celebrity Creator" award.
