PM Modi inaugurated the All-India Mayors’ Conference
Guwahati: The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated the All-India Mayors’ Conference on Friday through the conference. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister referred to the recent developments in the ancient city of Varanasi. He recalled his statement that the development of Kashi can be a roadmap for the entire country. He insisted that destroying the existing structures is not the way but emphasis should be on rejuvenation and preservation. This should be done in accordance with the requirements of modern times.
Furthermore, he called for healthy competition between the cities for cleanliness and wondered if there can be new categories for recognizing the cities that are making the best efforts to achieve cleanliness along with the best performing cities. He also insisted on the beautification of cities along with cleanliness. He asked the mayor to create a sense of healthy competition between the wards of their cities in this regard.
He also asked the mayors to run programmes related to ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ such as freedom struggle themed ‘rangoli’ competitions, PM Modi also suggested that the mayors should find out and celebrate them. Cities with rivers should celebrate the River Festival (Nadi Utsav). He stressed the need to spread the glory of the rivers so that people take pride in them and keep them clean. “Rivers should be brought back to the centre of city life. This will bring a new life to your cities.” said the Prime Minister. He asked the mayors to revitalize the campaign against the elimination of single-use plastic and look for ways of creating wealth from waste. “Our city should be clean and healthy too, this should be our effort”, he said
He further asked the mayors to ensure that LED bulbs are used widely in the streetlights and homes of their cities. He asked them to take this up in a mission mode and get in touch with NCC units of the city and create groups to clean statues of the cities and organise speeches on the personalities in the spirit of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Similarly, Mayors can identify a place in their city and create a monument in sync with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav through PPP mode. Referring to the ‘One District One Product’ programme, Modi asked the mayors to push for a unique identity of their cities promoted by some unique product or place in the city. He also asked them to develop people-friendly thinking with regard to various aspects of urban life. He said that we need to promote the use of public transport. He asked Mayors to see that every facility in their city is divyang friendly as per Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan- Accessible India Campaign.
The Prime Minister reiterated the need to strengthen MSMEs in our development model. “Street vendors are part of our own journey; we will see their troubles every moment. For them, we have brought PM Svanidhi Yojana. This plan is very good. Make a list of them in your city and teach them to do mobile phone transactions. This will facilitate bank finance on much better terms”, he said. As during the pandemic their importance came out very clearly.
The Prime Minister concluded with a request to Mayors to give suggestions from their experiences for the development of Kashi. “I will be grateful for your suggestions and I will be your first student”. He said that Sardar Patel was a mayor of Ahmedabad and the country remembers him even today. Post of Mayor can be a stepping stone for a meaningful political career where you can serve the people of this country”, PM Modi added.