On World Leprosy Day, PM Modi pledges to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's dream

In an emotional appeal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the nation has to strive hard to fulfil the dream of Mahatma Gandhi of giving a dignified life to the people suffering from Leprosy.

Prime Minister Modi also urged the people to work together for socio-economic upliftment of the cured persons and for their contribution in nation building.

"We have to strive hard to ensure that these citizens (suffering from Leprosy) of our country lead a live of dignity that Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of," said Prime Minister Modi while speaking on World Leprosy Day.

Shedding light on the government's National Leprosy Eradication Programme, the Prime Minister said, "This programme was launched way back in 1955. Rate of less than one case per ten thousand population at national level was achieved in 2005."

The Prime Minister highlighted another strategy for achieving the same, emphasising on the need to eliminate the Hansen's disease from its very roots.

"As a country, we have to leave no stone unturned to not just reach the last mile but also to work together to eliminate the social stigma at edge with this disease. A three prompt strategy for early detection of leprosy cases in the community was introduced in 2016," he said.

"Although, we have achieved our target, but at the national level, we have a long, hardest way to go to ensure that these teachable diseases are completely eliminated from our country," he added.

World Leprosy Day is celebrated internationally on January 30 or nearest Sunday to increase awareness among people about Leprosy.