PM Modi on Saturday addressed a townhall meeting organized by MyGov – the government’s citizen engagement platform – at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi.

Highlights Of PM Modi’s first townhall meeting:

1. Anger at self-proclaimed gau rakshaks: He urged state governments to prepare a dossier on self proclaimed ‘gau rakshaks.’ Further he added that cows don’t die because of murder, but because they consume plastic garbage.
2. India is among the fastest growing economies in the world. In spite of the recession which has affected the entire world, India’s growth rate is commendable, and I want to congratulate all Indians.
3. Economic development should be constant; it shouldn’t go up and down.
4. The agriculture sector in India is under a lot of pressure. Government is working towards making water available to farmers and their farms. His government want to focus on value addition within the agriculture sector via eMarkets.
5. The spirit of a democracy is incomplete if one thinks the citizen’s role stops at voting. Participative democracy is essential
6. Preventive and affordable healthcare: Public health is weak because we are ignorant about preventive health measures. If we are able to deliver safe and pure drinking water, diseases will recede automatically. Be it yoga, exercise or eating habits, we have to focus on preventive and affordable healthcare.

Smart City and Village concept: ‘Smart city’ is a concept for both cities and villages. Facilities available in urban areas should be available in rural areas as well. We have identified 300 places as part of our ‘rurban mission’. They can potentially become development centres.

7. Khadi for nation, Khadi for fashion: If we spend just 5% of our total spending on clothes on handloom and khadi, we will transform the lives of the poor. Khadi for nation and Khadi for fashion – this must be our guiding principle.
8. Leveraging heritage to attract tourists: E-visas have helped boost tourism. If thousands of tourists come to India, our cultural heritage will be converted into economic development. The Taj Mahal is a source of income for so many people today. We should use our tradition and culture to attract tourists.