Meet Om Prakash Sahu: The Youth Who Traded Guns for Fishing Nets, Featured in PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In the 124th edition of his monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the inspirational story of a youth Om Prakash Sahu from Gumla district of Jharkhand. He told how Om Prakash not only changed his life by leaving the path of Naxalism and taking up fish farming, but also brought a new wave of change in his area.
PM Modi said, “My dear countrymen, sometimes the most light comes from where there is the most darkness. One such example is Gumla district of Jharkhand. There was a time when this area was known for Maoist violence. The villages of Basia block were becoming deserted. People were living in the shadow of fear. There was no possibility of employment, lands were lying vacant and the youth were migrating… But then, quietly and with a lot of patience a change began. A young man named Om Prakash Sahu left the path of violence and started fish farming. Then he inspired many friends like him to do the same. His efforts also had an effect. People who used to hold guns earlier have now taken up fishing nets.”
PM Modi said that Om Prakash's journey was not easy, but it was full of difficulties. PM said, "Friends, Om Prakash Sahu's beginning was not easy. There were protests, threats, but his courage did not wane. When the 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' started, he got new strength. He got training from the government and help in making ponds... within no time, the fisheries revolution started in Gumla. Today more than 150 families of Basia block have joined fish farming. There are many people who were once in the Naxalite organization, now they are living a life of respect in the village and giving employment to others. This journey of Gumla teaches us that if the path is right and there is faith in the mind, then the lamp of development can be lit even in the most difficult circumstances."
PM said, “People who earlier used to hold guns are now holding fishing nets. Om Prakash's story teaches that if there is right path and strong belief, change can be brought even in the most difficult situations. This transformation of Gumla shows the power of development.
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