New Delhi: On Monday Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said that three ‘Es’ – education, employment and entertainment are required in rural areas for stopping people to migrate from villages to urban areas.
Naidu was inaugurating the National Stakeholders Conference on Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals. At the event he took a swipe at the neighboring country, over its political turmoil.
He focusing on ‘democracy’ of both the nations said, “Of course, the next big country is our neighbour. But there is no democracy. We don’t know what is happening there. I don’t know whether they also know it or not. I don’t want to comment on that. But it is a reality, we are a democracy at all levels.”
While referring to 2.78 lakh local bodies in rural areas, Naidu said, “No other country in the world could have so many democratic institutions at different levels.”
The vice president also hit out at people who claim that giving equal rights and empowering women is against Indian traditions.
He said that all big rivers are named after women.
Giving example of women leaders he said, “Important portfolios were given to women that time also…Education Minister was Saraswati Devi, Defence Minister — Durga Devi, Finance Minister — Lakshmi Devi … Now we are hesitating to give power.”
He said that women should get ample representation in Parliament and state legislatures.
Naidu opined that devolution of funds, functions and functionaries through urban and rural local bodies was designed to give more power to people.
Remembering the words of Mahatma Gandhi that ‘Ram Rajya’ is incomplete without gram rajya, he said, “Political will and administrative skills are required to give actual power to local bodies. His political will and administrative skills and not merely a bill (legislation) are needed for the purpose.”
Referring to the three Es, he said we should see that better education, employment opportunities and entertainment are available in rural areas.
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