Urbanisation is a challenge before the country, says President

President Pranab Mukherjee said here today that successful urbanisation is a challenge before the country.
Speaking on the occasion of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) completing 151 years, the President recalled the history of urbanisation in Europe and North America, adding that these places were ahead of India by decades and perhaps even centuries.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidya Sagar Rao, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister for Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari as well as Mayor Pravin Datke were present on the occasion.
"If your look at the current rate of urbanisation, we have serious challenges which would have to be addressed collectively by the people. The voters and the elected must share the responsibility," the President said.

He said that local self government existed even in ancient times and references exist even in the Rigveda.
During the British era, Nagpur was the headquarters of erstwhile Bengal Nagpur Railways (BNR) which was the second railway company set up in India, he said.

Mukherjee said that it is heartening to note that Nagpur is a cosmopolitan city with a number of central government offices, where employees prefer to settle here after retirement due to its scenic atmosphere and cosmopolitan culture.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadanvis who was Nagpur's youngest mayor extended greetings to the civic body and said that the state government would partner the city to organise the Orange City which is held by the NMC every year.

He reiterated his commitment to develop Nagpur as an education hub.