governorsNew Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Moditoday asked governors to make conscious efforts towardsnational integration.
The Prime Minister, speaking on the concluding day of thetwo-day conference of the governors and lieutenant governors,said there was no dearth of ideas, resources, and capabilitiesin the country.
Asking the governors to facilitate better effectivenessof government initiatives, Modi stressed "on making consciousefforts towards national integration".
He also urged governors to involve themselves ininitiatives such as 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (one India,great India) and 'Run for Unity', a statement issued byRashtrapati Bhawan said.
The conference, hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind, wasattended by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Modi, Home MinisterRajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj andDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman among others.
"Deliberations on both achievements and problems betweenstates, will give a new dimension to cooperative federalism,"Kovind said during the concluding ceremony.
"The president said that states and governors shouldshare information about their successful programmes with theircounterparts," according to the statement.
In his remarks, president Kovind said that governors cangive direction to the younger generation and play an importantrole in shaping the future of the country by constantlyengaging with students and teachers.
"They can inspire universities in their states to developas innovation centres. The role of the governors becomes evenmore important in ensuring education and development in tribalareas," the president said.
He said that during the course of the conference, usefulexperiences were shared about issues pertaining tocleanliness, the environment, conservation of energy andcutting down of wasteful expenditure.
Kovind said many Raj Bhavans have been accorded thestatus of heritage buildings.
He urged that special features such as 'green building'and 'smart building' be included while keeping the heritagestatus of Raj Bhavans intact.
The president reiterated that India will emerge as adeveloped nation only when every state develops.
He expressed confidence that governors and lt governorswould continue to make important contributions in giving a newdirection to development in their respective states.
Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said that governorsshould act as catalysts and facilitators in the changeprocess.
"The ultimate aim is to serve common citizens and ensurethat the benefits of development reach the people," he said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the governors canact as a bridge between the Centre and the states.
The governors can contribute towards strengtheningconfidence building measures so that peoples' faith in thedemocratic system is maintained, he said.
Earlier in the day, governors made brief remarks onspecial issues pertaining to their respective states and unionterritories.
Presentations on the sessions on 'Infrastructure for NewIndia 2022', 'Public Services for New India 2022' and 'HigherEducation in States and Skill Development' -- which had takenplace on October 12, 2017 -- were also made today.
The conference of governors is a tradition almost as oldas Independence. The first conference of governors was held atRashtrapati Bhavan in 1949 which was presided over by CRajagopalachari, Governor General of India.
Since then, 48 such conferences have been organised inRashtrapati Bhavan. PTI AKV SKL ASKASK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.