Madhya Pradesh has begun 68 years its journey towards its transformation. In this journey, till about two decades ago, the state was in the category of a 'BIMARU' state. With continuous efforts for development, the state moved forward on the path of progress. For the last ten years, under the guidance of the successful Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state has taken a turn towards development and the state is moving towards becoming a developed state. Now we have started a new journey of public service, good governance and all-round development of the state. Together with the people of the state, work is being done towards making the state a leading state in the country.

The heart of India, our Madhya Pradesh is rich in forests, water, food grains, minerals, crafts, art, culture, festivals and traditions. We have the proximity of the holy river Maa Narmada and the blessings of Lord Mahakaleshwar. This is the land of countless heroes, martyrs and great personalities dedicated to the national culture. This is the birthplace of Lord Parashuram, the place of education of Lord Shri Krishna and the place of penance of Adi Shankaracharya. Here the heroic queen of Gondwana, Durgavati, sacrificed her life for her rights. This is the workplace of the virtuous Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, who reestablished the cultural pride in the nation. Many programmes are being organised in the year of her 300th anniversary celebrations. We are fortunate that Madhya Pradesh boasts a rich historical heritage alongside abundant natural wealth. Now we will move forward with heritage along with development.

Our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has pledged to build a developed India to make India the best in the world. For the accomplishment of this pledge, he gave a new theme of  GYAN, Garib (poor), yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers) and respect for Nari (women). These four classes are the pillars of development. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the state is going to work under the missions of Yuva Shakti (youth power), Garib Kalyan (welfare of the poor), Kisan Kalyan (welfare of farmers) and Nari Sashaktikaran (women empowerment) for development and welfare.

Yuva Shakti Mission will work in mission mode by planning education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, leadership development, cultural and social work. Along with connecting the youth with self-employment, we have started a campaign to recruit more than one lakh youth in government jobs. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to implement the National Education Policy. Launch of PM College of Excellence in 55 districts of the state, Vice Chancellors being given the honour of Kul Guru, Indian knowledge tradition, environment and yoga meditation courses have been included in education. All the works of development and growth of youth will be possible in Yuva Shakti Mission.

Garib Kalyan Mission will work in the direction of self-employment and social security schemes, housing, education and health facilities etc. Under Nari Shakti Mission, girl education, Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Ladli Behna Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, empowerment of women self-help groups etc. will be undertaken with top priority. Work will be done in the Kisan Kalyan Mission towards making agriculture and horticulture a profitable business. Along with providing relief to the farmers, concrete efforts will be made to increase the agricultural yield. I have full faith that these four missions will play a pivotal role in fulfilling the resolution of building a developed Madhya Pradesh.

Our effort is to establish industries according to the specific products of each region of Madhya Pradesh. For this, we organised Regional Industry Conclave in Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar and Rewa. Road shows in Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Mumbai and inviting industrialists to the state for investment are initiatives for industrial expansion.

(The author is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh)