Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon Governors to strengthen the Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat initiative, which promotes partnerships, cultural exchanges and people to people linkages among States.

Addressing the concluding session of the Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, Mr Modi emphasized the need to build new ways to promote harmony and integration among various States. He said, Centre is working towards promoting ease of living for the common man.

Prime Minister said, Governors, through their vast experience in public life, can motivate civic agencies and government departments to work with commitment towards this cause. He also spoke of the Government’s ambitious health assurance scheme Ayushman Bharat.

Prime Minister urged Governors, in their capacity as Chancellors, to call upon Universities to promote excellence in various spheres of academics. He said, Indian Universities must aspire to be among the world’s best, and Governors can play a crucial role in catalysing their transformation.

Mr Modi said that occasions such as the seventy-fifth anniversary of freedom in 2022, and the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019, can serve as inspirational milestones for achieving development goals and targets. He said, the upcoming Kumbh Mela could also serve as an important occasion for promoting nationally relevant causes.