New Delhi: Emphasising inclusive governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that his OBC background has not limited his approach, as he works for the welfare of all sections of society. “I am an OBC, but I work for all,” he said during the special three-day session on women’s reservation and delimitation.
He said that the vision of a Viksit Bharat will play a key role in advancing women’s empowerment. “Viksit Bharat will lead to women empowerment,” PM Modi added. “A developed India is not possible without the empowerment of women,” he said, stressing that women must be equal partners in nation-building.
Push for women empowerment
Highlighting the importance of policy reforms, the Prime Minister said, “Women’s reservation and fair delimitation are crucial steps to ensure their greater participation in governance.”
Speaking further in the Lok Sabha, Modi said, “The need was that when this idea was first conceived 25-30 years ago, and the need was felt, we should have implemented it, and today we have brought it to a mature stage. According to the need, it is also improved from time to time, and this is the beauty of democracy.”
Democracy and representation
“Ours is the Mother of Democracy. Our democracy has been a development journey for thousands of years, and all of us in this House have the auspicious opportunity to add a new dimension to this development journey,” he added.
He also said empowering women politically would strengthen democracy, saying, “When women get more representation, our democracy becomes stronger and more inclusive.”
Call for collective action
He also called the moment a crucial opportunity for lawmakers, urging collective responsibility. “I said at the outset that we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in such an important, nation-building process involving half the country’s population… We MPs must not let this important opportunity slip away,” he said.
“Together, we Indians are going to give the country a new direction. We are going to make a meaningful effort to infuse our governance system with sensitivity. This will not only shape the nation’s politics, but it will also determine the direction and condition of the country,” the Prime Minister added.
He also said empowering women politically would strengthen democracy, saying, “When women get more representation, our democracy becomes stronger and more inclusive.”
