PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday called for active participation from citizens, teachers and students in building a clean and drug-free India, saying the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri remain relevant to the country’s development.
Speaking at a programme marking Gandhi Jayanti and Shastri Jayanti, Sawant said Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence, Swadeshi, local languages, culture and cleanliness continued to have relevance in independent India. “Mahatma Gandhi was an ardent advocate of truth, non-violence, Swadeshi, mother tongue, local culture and cleanliness,” Sawant said.
Recalling Gandhi’s role in India’s freedom movement, the Chief Minister said the nationwide movement based on truth and non-violence brought together freedom fighters and citizens and ultimately contributed to India attaining independence on August 15, 1947.
Sawant also referred to Gandhi’s emphasis on cleanliness and rural development, noting that the Mahatma had personally taken up a broom to clean streets. “He was the first leader in the country to take a broom in hand and clean the streets himself,” Sawant said, adding that cleanliness, rural development and the welfare of farmers were central to Gandhi’s vision.
Sawant credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government with giving further momentum to the cleanliness campaign through initiatives such as Swachhata Hi Seva. He said initiatives including Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Vocal for Local were also aimed at strengthening indigenous production and development across sectors.
“While previous generations fought for freedom from foreign rule, today our priorities include making India terrorism-free, Naxal-free, TB-free and drug-free,” Sawant said.
He stressed that achieving a drug-free India would require participation beyond the government. “A drug-free India requires the active participation of every citizen, teacher, student and public representative,” Sawant said, adding that a drug-free society was also part of Gandhi’s vision.
The Chief Minister said the Centre and the Goa Government were working towards eliminating tuberculosis, while urging people to contribute to efforts against drug abuse.
Speaking about Shastri Jayanti, Sawant recalled Lal Bahadur Shastri’s contribution and his famous slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. He said Shastri had underlined the equal importance of soldiers guarding the country’s borders and farmers feeding the nation.
Sawant said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 was being pursued through four key pillars: youth power, women power, farmer power and the welfare of the poor.
“To achieve Viksit Bharat 2047, the active contribution of all citizens and our young children is vital. This is the true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri,” he said.
