<span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan has said that Narendra Modi as a leader commanding popular faith for 20 continuous years either as a Chief Minister or as the Prime Minister is a rarity. Addressing a large gathering organised on the occasion of the eight years completion of the government at Mahanga in Cuttack district of Odisha today, the Minister said, the Union Government has been constantly working for the welfare of all sections of the citizens with particular focus on Garib Kalyan and Women Empowerment. Enumerating the number of beneficiaries of a host of Central schemes, the Minister highlighted that since 2014, as many as 11 crore households across the country have been equipped with toilets. He said, while nine crore gas connections to poor families have been given, about 40 lakh farmers in Odisha alone have  received about 8,000 crore rupees under PM-Kisan Scheme so far. The Minister said, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Modi, while 190 crore doses of vaccine have been given across the country, in Odisha alone, people have been given six crore 72 lakh vaccine doses against COVID-19.<br />''<br />''Underlining the benefits of Jan Dhan Yojana, Mr. Pradhan said in Odisha alone 1.90 lakh accounts out of the total 45 lakh accounts have been opened which symbolises the Prime Minister's vision of an inclusive India. Facilitating at least six progressive farmers and beneficiaries of different Central schemes, the Minister said, more than 33 lakh farmers of Odisha are receiving about 73 crore rupees directly in their bank accounts today under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. Later, the Minister along with other dignitaries and beneficiaries connected with the Garib Kalyan Sammelan at Shimla through the virtual mode.</span><br />