Gandhiji taught us to remain patriots and save energy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi never told people to sacrifice their lives and go on protests every day, but gave simple lessons to promote patriotism and to save energy.

"Gandhiji never told people to sacrifice lives, go on protests every day; he gave simple lessons to promote patriotism, and save energy. In Madhya Pradesh we will be launching a massive campaign of saving electricity by replacing all street lights by LED bulbs. Saving electricity and utilizing resources judiciously is also a form of patriotism. Even weaving khadi is patriotism said Gandhiji" the Prime Minister said. "We have the privilege of clean air, as our ancestors did not pollute the air we intake today. We have clean water and air because our ancestors used it prudently. We owe same to future generations. It is our responsibility to utilize power judiciously, so that our future generations will not be deprived of it," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Singaji Thermal Power Project at Dongliya village in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa District. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

The first phase of the Singaji Thermal Power project is of 1200 mega watt capacity. The project will give impetus to the state government's 'Atal Jyoti Abhiyan', which aims at providing 24 X 7 power supply across the state.