Swachh Shakti 2017: Woman sarpanch from UP refrained to meet PM Modi

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], Mar. 8 (ANI): There was a minor disruption at 'Swachh Shakti' event in Gandhinagar as a woman sarpanch from Uttar Pradesh, who tried to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was stopped by the security. Shalini Rajput, sarpanch of the village in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Budh Nagar, said she wanted to tell the Prime Minister about the difficulties faced by her village. "I'm sarpanch from a village in Gautam Budh Nagar and I wanted to apprise our Prime Minister of difficulties that my village faces as even the state government is not showing concern," Rajput told ANI. She added that she even sent an application to the state government regarding this issue but no action has been taken as of now. "I came to meet Prime Minister Modi to convey my message and I did not have any idea about the security. I just want them to let me meet the Prime Minister so that I can put forward my points in order to do improve the condition my village," she asserted. She further said health facilities are deteriorating, sewage system seems to be degrading, and infrastructure is not promising as well. "Our village has so much potential but people do not get a platform to showcase. With 12,000 people living in the village, there is only one government school for the past 10 years, which is a very major issue," Rajput said. On the occasion of International Women's Day, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday raised the social evil of female foeticide still prevalent in the Indian society and urged the woman sarpanchs to play a key role in ending this vicious act. Honouring the women, who have succeeded in shattering various myths, the Prime Minister said he can see determination to make a positive difference when he meets these women Sarpanchs. "They (Women sarpanchs) have shown how a positive change has begun in rural India," he said while addressing the delegates of Women Sarpanchs conclave. Batting for gender equality, he said both, boys and girls should get equal access to education. "A discriminatory mindset cannot be accepted. We are seeing how girls are shining in the board exams and in other areas as well," he said. Congratulating the women who were honoured on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said they are a source of inspiration for the entire nation. (ANI)