A nationwide vaccination campaign against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) was launched on Saturday, targeting girls aged 14 years and above, as part of India’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer. The programme was inaugurated in Ajmer by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally administered doses to several schoolgirls and engaged with them during the event.
The campaign aims to expand access to the HPV vaccine, providing long-term protection for millions of girls against one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to preventive healthcare and strengthening public health infrastructure.
Upon arrival at Kishangarh Airport, Prime Minister Modi was received by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the Governor, and senior state officials. He then travelled by Army helicopter to Ghughra helipad and continued by road to the public meeting venue. Women’s health formed the core focus of the visit.
The HPV vaccination drive has been positioned as a nationwide movement to eliminate cervical cancer, reflecting a strategic public health intervention at scale. Experts expect that broad immunization coverage will significantly reduce future cervical cancer incidence.
In addition to healthcare initiatives, the Prime Minister’s Rajasthan tour included inaugurations and foundation stone-laying for multiple infrastructure projects. The Jaipur–Bandikui Expressway, a four-lane Greenfield corridor, is set to ease travel towards Delhi. The Amritsar–Jamnagar Economic Corridor (Package 7), a six-lane access-controlled highway, will enhance freight movement and regional connectivity.
Urban infrastructure projects were also emphasised, with a foundation stone laid for a four-lane elevated road in Jodhpur aimed at reducing city traffic congestion. The visit included foundation stones for nine packages under the Nonera and Parwan-Akawad drinking water projects, reinforcing the government’s “Water for Every Home” initiative.
In the energy sector, the Prime Minister inaugurated a transmission system for power evacuation from Rajasthan’s Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and laid foundation stones for new 220 KV and 400 KV grid substations to strengthen electricity distribution and renewable energy capacity.
Employment generation was a key component of the visit, with over 21,800 appointment letters distributed to newly selected candidates under the Rojgar Utsav initiative across various Rajasthan government departments.
Officials highlighted that the combination of healthcare reform, infrastructure expansion, and employment generation marks a comprehensive development push for Rajasthan. The HPV vaccination campaign remains the flagship initiative, aiming to protect adolescent girls and reduce cervical cancer prevalence nationally.
The nationwide rollout is expected to cover all states and Union Territories, with focus on schools and community outreach programmes, ensuring widespread awareness and immunization coverage. By integrating public health interventions with developmental projects, the government aims to simultaneously improve healthcare outcomes, regional connectivity, and economic opportunities.
