Prez, PM ask Guvs to be agent of change

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked the Governors to act as change makers by improving the lives of marginalised people, enhancing higher education standards and leveraging their experience to help people derive maximum benefits from Central schemes. Modi also reminded them of their pivotal role in a federal structure.

In his opening address at the two-day conference of Governors and Lt-Governors, which began at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kovind said a Governor is a mentor and guide for the State Government and an important link in the federal structure.

“The people of the State view the office of the Governor and the Raj Bhavan as a fount of ideals and values,” Kovind said, adding there are approximately 100 million people in the country who belong to the Scheduled Tribes. 

“As Governors you can help in the shaping of a road map for the betterment of lives of our fellow citizens, who have not benefited as much as expected from our development journey,” the President said.

 He said India is blessed with the largest youth population in the world. “As Governors, you are guardians of our youth - in the sense that you can inspire young people to absorb the right moral values and you can motivate them to both pursue modern education and remain sensitive to our Indian ethos,” Kovind said.

Talking about the higher education scenario in the country, the President said 69 per cent of total universities in India come under the purview of State Governments and about 94 per cent of students enrolled for higher education study in these universities.

With Governors as chancellors of most of these universities, Kovind said, they should provide the necessary impetus and inspiration to these institutions and enhance the level of scholarship.

The Prime Minister said in States with significant tribal population, they can help in ensuring that these communities take advantage of Government initiatives in fields such as education, sports and financial inclusion.

He spoke at length about how Governors could leverage their experience in different walks of life, so that people derive maximum benefit of various Central Development schemes and initiatives. “The institution of governor has a pivotal role to play within the federal structure and constitutional framework of our country,” Modi was quoted as saying in an official statement.

The Prime Minister mentioned some key themes of development such as National Nutrition Mission, electrification of villages and development parameters in ‘aspirational districts’. Modi suggested that Governors could also visit a few recently electrified villages to witness first-hand the benefits of electrification.

He said during the recent Gram Swaraj Abhiyan from April 14, seven key schemes of the Government were implemented fully in over 16,000 villages. He said these villages have been freed from seven problems through Jan Bhagidaari. Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is now being extended to 65,000 more villages, with a target date of August 15, he said.

The PM  suggested planning for 50th Governors’ conference next year should begin immediately. This effort should focus on making this annual event even more productive, the statement said.