Small initiatives lead to development of villages: PM to panchayat members

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday suggested small and effective tips to the panchayati raj representatives of Gujarat to ensure holistic development of villages. Addressing Gujarat Panchayat Mahasammelan in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister said that the entire village populace should get together and think about the development of their village. The event was attended by panchayati raj representatives from all over the State. Modi advised the representatives to celebrate the birthday or the foundation day of their school. By way of it, he advised to clean campus and classes of the school and to take up good activities for the school. As the country celebrates Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav till August 23, the PM suggested to take out 75 Prabhatferi (morning processions) in the villages during this period. “The villages should create a small forest planting 75 trees in commemoration of 75 years of Indian independence,” the PM said. “There should be at least 75 farmers in each village who adopt natural way of farming. The mother earth should get rid of the poison of fertilizers and chemicals,” the PM said adding that 75 farm ponds should be made to conserve the rain water so that underground water level rises and it helps in summer days. The PM also advised to ensure that not single cattle is left unvaccinated so as to save them from the foot and mouth disease. The Prime Minister also appealed to adopt LED bulbs for saving electricity in Panchayat house and in streets as well. He also said that retired government employees should be mobilized in the village and the village birthday should be celebrated in which people gather and discuss the welfare issues. Modi advised the panchayat members to ensure that there is no drop out in school and no child is left un-admitted either in school or in Anganvadi as per their eligibility. He also appreciated the spirit of farmers during the Corona period saying “our small farmers ensured there was no shortage of food.” Gujarat has three tier Panchayati Raj structure, with 33 district panchayats, 248 taluka panchayats and over 14,500-gram panchayats.