New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said India’s G20 presidency for 2023, which commenced from 1 December, was a matter of pride for all citizens. He also said every Indian should be a participant of this historic occasion.
The PM was addressing a two-day national office-bearers’ meeting of the BJP in New Delhi. He arrived at the national capital soon after casting his vote in the Gujarat assembly polls.
“The prime minister appealed to the BJP leadership that the party should run programmes related to this (G20) so that every citizen of the country can join and give suggestions related to India’s culture. Discussions were also held on the ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat‘ spirit,” said a party leader.
The PM also asked party members to connect with border villages of the country.
“PM Modi highlighted the need to stay in touch with the vibrant border villages. He also said that the party’s office bearers should stay for a night in these villages,” said a senior party functionary.
Earlier this year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the Vibrant Villages Programme under which hamlets on India’s Northern border — that are sparsely populated, have limited connectivity and infrastructure, and often get left out from outreach programmes — will be developed.
PM Modi asked BJP workers to maintain direct contact with border villagers and said they should be developed as places that draw visitors.
According to sources, in the closed-door meeting, the PM also said the Centre’s handling of the Covid-19 situation has only strengthened India’s position in the world.
“India became one of the economic powers despite Covid and Ukraine crises. The efforts of the government need to be highlighted much more,” said PM Modi.
Focus on ‘Sneh Milan’
Monday’s meeting also saw discussions on upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, who briefed the media, said discussions on upcoming elections and booth empowerment will continue to take place in the two-day meeting.
The BJP is also set to focus more on ‘sneh milan’ (cultural exchange programme) on the lines of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, a month-long event underway in Varanasi that celebrates ancient cultural ties between the two places.
“The prime minister talked about running a sneh milan campaign to culturally connect one part of the country with another,” a BJP source said.
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