Let us build India along Mahatma Gandhi's dreams, exhorts Narendra Modi(Update:Modi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged upon the countrymen to dedicate themselves towards building a nation along the lines of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams.

Ahead of his visit to Rajghat earlier this morning to pay his homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 145th birth anniversary, Prime Minister took to social micro-blogging site to express his thoughts on this occasion.

In his twitter message, Prime Minister Modi said, "Gandhiji's thoughts and beliefs remain a great inspiration for us. Let us dedicate ourselves to building the India of Gandhi ji's dreams."

Besides Prime Minister Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan along with Minister of State (MoS) for the north east, external affairs and overseas affairs-former Army chief V. K Singh and Union Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu visited Rajghat.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by former Kerala Governor and Chief Minister of Delhi Shiela Dikshit and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also paid their tributes at Rajghat.

The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti across the country. It is also marked as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Gandhi, born this day in 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat, played a key role in India's independence struggle and is known as the Father of the Nation. He was assassinated January 30, 1948.

Prime Minister Modi officially launched 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' here at Rajpath today. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also administered a cleanliness pledge to the people. Later, he flagged off a walkathon as part of the campaign.

Prior to the official launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Prime Minister also visited Valmiki Basti here in Gol Market area where he wielded the broom and interacted with the janitors present there.

Cleanliness drive is on in Delhi and other parts of the country. Lakhs of Central government employees working across the country will take a pledge of cleanliness in various public functions being organized today.

The nationwide Swachh Bharat campaign focuses on sanitation, hygiene and waste management.