Narendra Modi addresses Panchayats on National Panchayati Raj Day

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, addressed all Panchayats across the country, from Jamshedpur, on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.

'Gramodaya Se Bharat Uday' began from Mhow, where the great Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was born: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/Iy8hu3Nre5

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

The event also marked the culmination of the Gramoday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan, which began on the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, at Mhow, on April 14th.

Highlights of PM's speech:

Mr. Narendra Modi emphasised that facilities and services in rural areas, should be at par with the cities.

Mahatma Gandhi said India lives in the villages yet why are facilities in villages not up to the mark, at par with cities: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

Prime Minister exhorted the Panchayat Representatives to use their tenure to work towards serving the people by aiming to bring about transformative change in the villages.

Those serving in village should think: I have the opportunity to do something transformative during my tenure & serve my village: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

In particular, he said women members can play a leadership role in areas such as toilet construction.

So many women are serving in Panchayats. They can show tremendous leadership in matters affecting the villages: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

Particularly women representatives in Panchayats should ensure that there are adequate toilets in villages: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

He urged the Panchayats to pay special attention to children's education, and said if children stop attending schools, it should worry the Panchayat members.

When children of a village stop attending schools, it should worry the Panchayat members: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/Iy8hu3Nre5

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

The Prime Minister encouraged Panchayats to think beyond budgets, and focus on Jan Suvidha.

Did we build roads or not, did the budget come or not...we should rise beyond these worries and look at Jan Suvidha: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 24, 2016

After the event, Prime Minister came down from the stage and met some of the Panchayat Representatives from across the country who had gathered in Jamshedpur.

PM @narendramodi interacting with the people at Panchayati Raj Sammelan in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/FDp8IhriMi

— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 24, 2016

PM's humanitarian gesture:

PM also met the wife and daughter of one of the victims of the Patna bomb blasts, which had occurred during his rally there in 2013. Mr. Modi was the the prime ministerial candidate of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) then and he was in Patna addressing a mammoth election campaign rally.

PM met the girl child, who lost her father in bomb blasts happened during his rally in Patna, at Jamshedpur. pic.twitter.com/3F361uEmqT

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 24, 2016