Paying tributes to former deputy prime minister Babu Jagjivan Ram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the government's Stand Up India initiative was being launched on his birth anniversary.
At the launch of the initiative here, Modi said Jagjivan Ram served the nation for years.
"As agriculture minister, Babu Jagjivan Ram did a lot to usher in the green revolution. In 1971, he was the defence minister, " Modi said.
"Whatever one's party is, we have to remember those who have lived for the nation, " the prime minister said.
Jagjivan Ram was a member of the Congress, and later of the Janata Party.
The initiative seeks to promote entrepreneurship among the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, by facilitating loans in the range of Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 100 lakh.