NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the 17th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, amounting to over Rs 20,000 crores. This amount will be distributed through Direct Benefit Transfer to approximately 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers in Uttar Pradesh.

The PM-KISAN scheme, since its inception, has disbursed over Rs 3.04 lakh crore to more than 11 crore eligible farmer families, highlighting its substantial impact and widespread benefits.

During his visit to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on June 18-19, PM Modi will also launch several significant initiatives. This includes granting certificates to more than 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs), officially recognizing them as Krishi Sakhis. These women will play a crucial role in the Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP), aimed at empowering women as Para-extension Workers and transforming rural India.

The certification aligns with the objectives of the "Lakhpati Didi" Program, which seeks to enhance economic self-sufficiency among rural women.

On June 19, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar. This collaborative project between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries features modern facilities and significant capacity, as per the press release.

The new campus includes two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, accommodating around 1,900 students, and two auditoriums with a 300-seat capacity each. Additionally, the campus houses a student hostel for approximately 550 students, and various other facilities including an International Centre, an Amphitheatre with a 2,000-person capacity, a Faculty Club, and a Sports Complex.

Designed as a "Net Zero" green facility, the campus incorporates a solar plant, water treatment plants for domestic and drinking purposes, a water recycling system, and 100 acres of water bodies, ensuring sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

The modern campus revives the historical legacy of the original Nalanda University, which was established around 1,600 years ago and is considered one of the first residential universities in the world. The ruins of the ancient university were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

Prime Minister Modi's itinerary will commence in Uttar Pradesh on June 18, with his participation in the PM Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi at 5 pm, followed by attending the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple for pooja and darshan at around 8 pm.

On June 19, PM Modi will continue his engagements in Bihar, beginning with a visit to the Ruins of Nalanda at 9:45 am. He will then inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir at 10:30 am and address a gathering, emphasizing the historical and modern significance of the university.

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