Prime Minister Modi takes comfort in tea selling different skills in Goa; recalls its chaiwala past

During the interaction, the Prime Minister told Rurki Ahmad Rajasaheb: “Aap bhi sea Tarah chaiwale hai (You are also a tea seller like me).”

Rajasaheb, a small entrepreneur with different abilities, drives a tea cabinet outside Kadamba Transport Corporation’s bus station. He is one of the beneficiaries of the “Swayampurna Goa” program in the various abilities class, which is a continuation of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the central government.

He is also the best table tennis player in Vasco.

Rajasaheb told the Prime Minister how he participated in the “Swayampurna Goa” program camp in December 2020 and later became its beneficiary.

The Prime Minister said the center has sought to provide a respectful life for people with various disabilities. “The government is with you. If you make progress, the country will move forward.”

On Saturday, Modi sounded virtually next year’s Goa General Assembly election and expressed the need to continue the “twin-engine” government in order to realize Goa’s self-sufficiency.

His twin-engine reference referred to the BJP governments at the center as well as the BJP-ruled Goa, where parliamentary elections are scheduled for February next year.

“Goa can only become‘ swayampurna ’(self-sufficient) if it uses a percentage of development path and opportunities,” Modi said, adding that ‘Swayampurna Goa’ is a way to fulfill the aspirations of ordinary people.

“Swayampurna Goa is a guarantee for the well-being and health of our mothers and sisters. Swayampurna Goa offers employment opportunities for young people and the unemployed,” he added.

He said it was not just a five-month or five-year program, but it is the first step in a vision for the next phase.

(Includes agencies)