Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his first day in his new office, Seva Teerth Complex on Friday by announcing a slew of welfare schemes. The schemes focus on women, farmers, youth and vulnerable groups. These decisions include free accident treatment up to INR 1.5 lakh, doubling the target for Lakhpati Didi to 6 crore, and expanding the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to INR 2 lakh crore, alongside a new INR 10,000 crore startup fund.
The shift to the new complex came on a day that marked 95 years since the formal inauguration of New Delhi as India’s modern capital in 1931.
Dedicating Seva Teerth to the nation and inaugurating two buildings of the central secretariat, called Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2, the PM highlighted the spirit of Nagrikdevo Bhava (citizen is God) as his guiding force. On the occasion, the PM also released a commemorative postage stamp and a coin.
PM Modi said the new complex reflects a deep commitment towards public service and the welfare of citizens.
“Seva Teerth, and Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 mark an important milestone in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. These reflect our commitment to citizen-centric governance and national progress,” the PM said. PM Modi reiterated that the Race Course Road, where the prime minister’s residence is located, was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg and this was not only a change of name but it was also an effort to transform the mindset of power into a spirit of service.
“The initiative to rename is not merely a change of words; behind all these efforts lies the same ideological thread – the independent identity of independent India. A mark free from the shackles of slavery,” he said.
Earlier, Modi unveiled the plaque of Seva Teerth at the new complex — the name inscribed in Devanagari script on the wall of the complex. Below it is the motto ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (citizen is akin to God).The PMO will shift from the South Block on Raisina Hill to Seva Teerth, bringing together the offices of the Cabinet Secretariat and the National Security Council Secretariat that were located at different places.
Since 2014, the Modi Government has taken steady steps to move away from symbols of India’s colonial past and to usher a shift in mindset, officials said.
