Independence Day speech: Narendra Modi announces Rs 5 lakh healthcare scheme, manned mission to space by 2022
On the occasion of India's 72nd Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation for the last time in his current term. In his speech, Modi lauded the NDA government for its commitment to the development that has marked a space for India.

On the occasion of India's 72nd Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation for the last time in his current term. In his speech, Modi lauded the NDA government for its commitment to the development that has marked a space for India on the world map and also announced few schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan (Ayushman Bharat)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address on occasion of 72nd Independence Day. ANI
Putting an emphasis on affordable healthcare for citizens, mostly those who can't afford it, Modi announced the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan (Ayushman Bharat) healthcare scheme that will provide healthcare to 50 crore people. Modi said, "It is high time we ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare." The scheme will be launched on 25 September, which is the birth anniversary of RSS ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
Related Articles
The ambitious Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) aims to provide a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families.
The scheme aims to target poor, deprived rural families and identified the occupational category of urban workers' families, 8.03 crore in rural and 2.33 crore in urban areas, as per the latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, and will cover around 50 crore people.
Asserting that technology will play a crucial role in the implementation of the programme, the prime minister said that in four to six weeks, testing of these technology tools under the scheme will start.
India to launch a manned mission to space by 2022
The prime minister said that India will send an Indian astronaut, be it a man or a woman, by 2022 on board 'Gaganyaan'. The prime minister said that Indian scientists are working towards sending an Indian astronaut to space before India celebrates its 75th year of Independence in 2022. "If possible even before, an Indian son or daughter will undertake a manned space mission on board 'Gaganyaan' carrying the national flag," he said.
The prime minister also lauded India's achievements in space travel such as the Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar probe which was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation in October 2008 and operated until August 2009, and the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, which a space probe orbiting Mars since 24 September, 2014.
With inputs from PTI
also read

For ISRO, the Moon is not enough. Know why
ISRO has a bunch of missions remaining for 2023, all of whom are more exciting than the next. From the launch of the Aditya-L1 satellite to Chandrayaan-3 mission to moon, 2023 may prove to be a hallmark year for India and ISRO

For rally in Ajmer, PM Modi will offer prayer at Brahma temple
Crores of BJP workers, over 300 MPs and more than 1400 MLAs will vigorously participate in this program to take the public welfare policies and achievements of the Modi government to the public. The achievements of the BJP government will reach everyone.

'Matter of happiness that a new Parliament was constructed in 2.5 years': Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh added that the 'day is an important milestone as it will prove to be a source of inspiration in the Amritkaal'