Pointing out that social hygiene was as important as personal hygiene, Modi asked the young doctors if we can fulfill Gandhiji's dream of a healthy India.
Noting that there was dearth of doctors and paramedical staff in the country, he stressed on the need for generating more para medical training institutions.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College here, Modi said a "healthy youth is healthy India" and this can come true only with a participation of youth in the medical stream.
"We have to retain our culture and be technically strong like China," he said.
Without naming any political party but apparently aiming at Congress, he said had our initial governments given prime importance to education right since independence, the country would have been globally on top.
Rajya Sabha member and Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Chairman Prabhakar Kore was also present at the function.