PM Modi remembers Mahatma Gandhi, calls for rural development

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's assertion that 'true essence of India lies in its villages', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid emphasis on the progress of villages for development of the nation.

Prime Minister Modi while addressing the Panchayati Raj Sammelan on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day said his government is making various efforts for upheaval of social development at places outside Delhi so that more people can be connected.

"We are trying to take Central Government outside Delhi to every nook and corner of the nation. Mahatma Gandhi used to say that "Bharat gaaon mein basa hai", therefore for the first time, we have focused on rural development in our budget," said Prime Minister Modi.

"Panchayat Raj is a structure, is a democratic system but till steps for public development are not taken nothing can be achieved," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further said distance between urban and rural India is increasing, adding there is a need to narrow it down.

Asserting that it is a matter of shame that women and girls in villages are forced to defecate in open despite so much development, Prime Minister Modi pitched to the female representatives of Panchayti Raj to show their leadership skills in matters effecting villages.

"I request the women representatives in villages to take a resolution to build toilets so that no mother or woman is forced to defecate in open," he said.

Laying stress on education, Prime Minister Modi urged the panchayat members to make sure that every child in the villages should attend schools.