india

Updated: Oct 02, 2019 22:55 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all Indians to take one resolution each in the country’s interest and follow it for at least a year as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary, while speaking at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

‘I want to request all of you to take any one resolve for the country, think about your duties to your country,’ he said and added, “We have to work on this front for one year starting today.”

He said “130-crore dutiful people’s collective resolve and effort can make a big difference” and if followed, it will become part of “our lifestyles”-- a “true tribute” to our father of the nation.

Prime Minister said that government run Swachh Bharat mission along with other welfare programmes could help realise Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a self-reliant and confident India.

“Swachhta (cleanliness) was the highest ideal for revered Bapu, we (Swachh Bharat campaign) are paying him a karyanjali (working tribute),” the PM said and added all governance structures will have to work towards making the gains from the campaign permanent.

“The country has to ensure that the Swachh Bharat campaign’s successes not only becomes permanent but also expands to include the left out,” the PM said.

Outlining how government schemes were aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s overall vision, the prime minister said government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Fit India, Yoga Divas were meant for a healthy India; while programmes like Make in India, Start up India, Stand-up India were aligned with Gandhi’s vision for self-reliance.

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Modi said Gandhi’s concern for creating a system that worked for the last man standing in the queue was being addressed through government programmes.

“Ujjwala scheme, PM Awaas Yojana, Saubhagya Yojana, PM Jan-Dhan scheme has made Gandhi’s talisman a part of the system,” the PM said and added that we must remember that Gandhi said it was not possible to become an internationalist before becoming a nationalist which meant India needed to herself solve her problems before she could lead the world.

Prime Minister also released a postage stamp and Rs 150 coin to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary on the occasion.

Asserting that “over 75 lakh people” have been employed due to this mission, most of it coming from the rural parts of the country, the prime minister quoted a Unicef report to claim that “in the last five years due to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, there has been a positive effect of over Rs. 20 lakh crores.”

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