Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the country to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of rural development as India celebrates its 75th year of independence. Speaking to over one lakh representatives from the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj institutions in his home state, Modi called for villages to become self-reliant and strong, while outlining goals for the overall development of rural centres.
The Prime Minister’s comments come one day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh and retained power in Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa. Modi was visiting his home state, Gujarat, when he made the remarks, and earlier in the day, he held a roadshow in the capital of the poll-bound state.
In his speech, Modi referred to Gujarat as the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel and highlighted the importance of rural development and self-reliance, two values that Gandhi strongly advocated for throughout his life. Modi emphasized the need for a robust Panchayati Raj infrastructure, stating that it is key to fulfilling the dream of Gram Swaraj. “All the panchayat members and sarpanchs are working towards achieving the objective,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s call for rural development and self-reliance echoes the values of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who was a strong advocate of self-sustaining villages. Gandhi believed that India’s development depended on the development of its rural communities, and he promoted the idea of Gram Swaraj or village self-rule.
The Panchayati Raj institutions, which are a system of local self-government in rural India, were created to give power to the people at the grassroots level and promote democratic decision-making. Modi’s call to action to the representatives from these institutions is a significant step towards achieving Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj.
India has made significant progress in the development of its rural areas in recent years. The government’s flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which aims to connect rural areas with all-weather roads, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which provides affordable housing for the rural poor, have had a transformative impact on the lives of millions of Indians.
However, there is still much to be done to ensure that India’s rural communities are self-sufficient and prosperous. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of India’s rural communities, with many facing job losses and economic hardship. The Prime Minister’s call to action to the Panchayati Raj institutions is a reminder that the development of rural India must remain a top priority for the country.
Prime Minister Modi’s call for the fulfillment of Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of rural development and self-sufficient villages is a crucial step towards achieving Gram Swaraj. The Panchayati Raj institutions play a vital role in promoting democratic decision-making and empowering the people at the grassroots level. As India celebrates its 75th year of independence, it is essential that the country continues to prioritize the development of its rural communities and ensure that they are self-sufficient and prosperous.
