People's movement alone can help achieve New India: PM Modi at Governors' conference

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the opening session of the Governors' Conference at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

He observed that all Governors can become 'catalytic agents for change in society', while upholding the sanctity of the Constitution.

Mentioning the target of New India by 2022, the Prime Minister emphasised that this can be achieved only by making it a people's movement.

The prime minister encouraged Governors to interact at length with students and teachers in this regard. Giving the example of the recent Hackathon conducted by the Union Government, where students had proposed technology solutions to several problems, he said Universities should be centres of innovation.

In the same vein, he said that youth in every State must focus on one sport. He encouraged Governors to lead by example on the cause of Swachhata or cleanliness.

He said Mahatma Gandhi, whose 150th birth anniversary will be celebrated in 2019, is a source of inspiration, as we work towards an Open Defecation Free India.

The Prime Minister said that festivals and anniversaries can be great motivators and energisers in the quest for change.

Engage MLAs in pushing development agenda: President Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind who presided over the conference said that "Governors can provide a new dimension to development of their states by communicating with legislators and inviting them to Raj Bhawan to deliberate on subjects related to public well-being."

"The obligation of Governors to preserve and uphold the Constitution and commit themselves to the service and welfare of the people is even more pronounced in the current paradigm of co-operative federalism, " the President said.

President Kovind said that given the magnitude of this task, it is necessary that the entire country works unitedly and is on the same page. "Governors should inspire and connect with all relevant stakeholders in their respective States."

The conference is being attended by 27 governors and three Lieutenant Governors. The administrators of the UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as well as of Lakshadweep are also participating as special invitees.

OneIndia News