‘Self-Reliance Biggest Lesson From COVID-19’: PM Modi to Sarpanchs

Modi on Thursday had commended panchayati raj members across India for their role in tackling the COVID-19 crisis.

File image of PM Narendra Modi.

(Photo: IANS) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while interacting with several Gram Pachayats via video link on Friday, 24 April, on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day said, “The Coronavirus pandemic has taught us the biggest lesson that we have to become self-dependent.”

PM Modi during the video call, inaugurated the E-Gram Swaraj portal and application to provide gram panchayats with a single interface to prepare and implement their development plans.

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

WHAT PM MODI TOLD THE GRAM PANCHAYATS

• Coronavirus has sent so many challenges our way, but we must always learn from the situation we are in life. Coronavirus has also given us a lot to think about and taught us a lot about the way we act.
• For now, in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, karnataka Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand we are launching the programme in full force. Once we access and rectify the problems in it, it will be launched in all villages nationwide.
• The pandemic has showed that villagers in this time, have kept their manners and culture intact and shown it to the world. The stories from the villages are an example to everyone.
• The villages in India have given the mantra of — 'Do gaj doori ' to define social distancing in simpler terms, to fight coronavirus pandemic.
• The two apps and the e-gram swaraj website is something that you all must connect with. It will be a blessing for you all and keep you informed about every decision in this regard.

A day ago, the PM described members of the panchayati raj system as “brave warriors” in the fight against COVID-19 and said with patience, discipline, cooperation, and alertness the coronavirus pandemic will be defeated.

Modi on Thursday, in a letter to Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, had commended panchayati raj members across the country for their role in tackling the novel coronavirus crisis.

All the members of the panchayati raj system are a source of inspiration as they are playing an important role in preventing the infection with full dedication like “brave warriors”, the prime minister said on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day.

He said panchayats are an effective mean to fulfil the aspirations of rural India and added that the government is moving forward with the view that a strong rural economy is the key to the development of the country.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that Panchayati Raj institutions have contributed in strengthening the democracy of the country, reported ANI. He added that there is a need to fully empower Panchayats “through three Fs - funds, functions and functionaries - to enable them emerge as vibrant hubs of self-reliance in different sectors”.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)