Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana became a roof of self-respect – an inspiring story of a lively conversation
The dream of three lakh poor people came true, they reached their own houses
The Prime Minister handed over the keys of the new houses to Somari Punem, Dalluram Baiga and Jagatpal Ram with his own hands
Even in remote forest areas, the poor and the deprived now have their own houses, living worry-free in their dream homes with security and respect
Raipur, 30 March 2025: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the beneficiaries during the public meeting and inauguration-foundation stone laying ceremony of development works organized in village Mohbhattha of Bilaspur district, a special moment came on the stage – a simple, brief but lively, intimate and substantial conversation between the Prime Minister and Dallu Ram Baiga.
The Prime Minister smiled and asked –
“Is the permanent house built?”
Dallu Ram replied with folded hands –
“Yes, it is built.”
The Prime Minister then asked affectionately –
“Are you feeling good or not?”
An emotional Dallu Ram replied
“I am feeling good.”
The Prime Minister finally asked –
“Is everything else fine?”
Dallu Ram confidently replied –
“It is fine.”
This conversation was not a formal question-answer session, but a living depiction of trust, compassion and partnership. Today is a very special and unforgettable day for three lakh poor families of Chhattisgarh. Today, on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated their dream homes. These include a large number of poor and deprived families from remote forest areas. These are such families who would have hardly been able to fulfill their dream of having a permanent house if there was no scheme like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. This scheme is fulfilling the big dream of lakhs of poor families of the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today handed over the keys of new houses to three tribal families from remote areas at Mohbhatta in Bilaspur. When Prime Minister Modi symbolically handed over the keys of their newly built houses from the stage to Mrs. Somari Punem of Cherpal Panchayat of Bijapur district, Dalluram Baiga of village Hathidob of Kabirdham district and Pahari Korwa Jagatpal Ram of Kardana Panchayat of Jashpur district, their happiness was worth seeing.
Food, clothing and shelter are the most basic needs of every human being. In backward rural and tribal areas where there is still a huge shortage of resources, a concrete house is not just a wall and roof, but a symbol of respect, security and self-confidence. Dalluram Baiga of the special backward tribe Baiga community once lived in the shadow of fear and insecurity in a house made of raw mud and tile. Water dripping from the roof during rains, weak mud walls and poisonous creatures crawling in the silence of the night… living with the entire family in such circumstances was a daily struggle. After Dalluram’s house was approved under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, his journey to his dream house began. Along with financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for house construction, he also got Rs 23,000 as MNREGA wages for 95 days. Basic facilities like cooking gas, toilet and electricity were also provided through other schemes. Now Dalluram and his family are not only living in a safe house, but are also making their mark in the society with self-respect and pride. The smile of the fulfillment of dreams, not of the walls
Jatagalpal Ram of village Kardana, situated in the remote area of Jashpur district, belonging to the Pahari Korba community, who is called the adopted son of the President, was living his life in a dilapidated hut for years. During the rainy season, water used to drip from the roof, there was mud all around and an atmosphere of fear inside. There was fear of snakes and scorpions, the burden of repairing the hut every year, and there was also lack of basic facilities like electricity. Pradhan Mantri Janman Awas Yojana under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan brought a ray of hope for Jagatpal. With the help of two lakh rupees received under the scheme, Jagatpal built a clean, strong concrete house which not only has rooms to live in, but also has toilet and electricity. Now his family is safe from the dangers of torrential rains, wild animals and the darkness of night. Today, when Jagatpal sits in front of his house, there is a smile of satisfaction on his face. This smile is not just of the walls, but the smile of the fulfillment of a dream. Like Jagatpal, there is a similar story of thousands of poor and deprived tribal families whose lives have been filled with happiness due to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Broken dreams got support and a roof of hope grew in the mud courtyard. While struggling for years, Somari Punem had never thought that one day she would have a concrete roof over her head. After the death of her husband, she was living her life with her son under a small leaking roof amid countless difficulties of life. When she came to know about the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana after the launch of the Niyada Nella Naar Yojana, her eyes lit up. She says – “I invested whatever little savings I had. Every day I sat with the labourers and lifted bricks myself. The house kept getting built… and so did my confidence. Finally, after months of hard work, the permanent house was ready. Now the raindrops do not scare, they bring relief… even the nights feel comfortable. Now not only the walls but also the dignity is protected from the sun.” 60-year-old Somari, who lives in Cherpal, Bijapur, says – “Today, when I enter the door of my house, I feel that I am not alone. Along with me, my late husband’s dream is also breathing in this house.” Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana did not just give Somari a house. This scheme has come into her life as the foundation of trust, walls of self-respect and the roof of the future.