Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the first thing he thought of doing after assuming charge of his office, was to launch a cleanliness drive.
Pledging to work for cleanliness, he said, "Tourism has great potential, but what stops us is the filth all around. Mahatma Gandhi believed in and respected cleanliness. On his 150th anniversary, we must pledge to work towards this goal of a cleaner India."
Referring specifically to the situation prevailing in a majority of villages in India, he said, "It is shameful that our women have to wait for darkness to go out in the open and defecate. Yes, this is a shameful thing to speak about from the ramparts of the Red Fort. There will be criticism that I am talking about toilets from the Red Fort, but I am from a poor family, I have experienced and seen poverty, and I sincerely believe and am very determined that the poor of India must have their dignity restored. This is important."
"I believe we must talk about only those things which can be fulfilled during our lifetimes," he added.
"I ask parliamentarians to choose one village each from the constituencies that they represent, fix parameters and make it a model one by 2016. Thereafter, take on two or three more villages and do the same by the time the next general elections come along in 2019, and thereafter, set yourself ten-year-long village or rural improvement projects. I am sure all of us want a better, efficient and improved India. Parliamentarians want to do several things, but must do them step-by-step and not waste opportunities," added Modi.
During the course of delivering his address, the Prime Minister also announced the 'Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna'.
Announcing the scheme for cleanliness drive, Modi said, "There are several schemes under Prime Minister's name. But today I announce a scheme under Parliament's name, 'Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna'.
The blue print of Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana will be declared before the nation on October 11, the birth anniversary of Jaiprakash Narain, he said.
Earlier, he also announced the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna' for farmers, under which the farmers will be given the insurance of one lakh rupees.
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