 "No shortcut on reforms, says PM")
Despite being on the receiving end of the Opposition over his government's demonetisation move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a lighter tone over the issue, at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai.
"I always look forward to being among young people. It refreshes and re-energises me. You bring an energy and idealism that is unparalleled. You have been smart in asking me to only address gathering, and not sing, or else I am sure you would be asking for your money back, and that too in Rs 100 notes," Modi said via video-conferencing.
"I know that I stand between you and Cold Play, so I will make this brief. Back in 2014, I had enjoyed attending the Global Citizen Festival in the beautiful Central Park of New York. This time around, my schedule didn't permit me to come in person," he added.
Asserting that poverty is a bane to any society, the prime minister said, be it malnutrition, unemployment, corruption or uncleanliness, its impact falls the most on the poor.
He asserted that the government was working towards empowering the poor.
"Cleanliness drive is going on in the nation for the last two years. The young people have taken the initiative of "Swacch Bharat Abhiyan" forward, be it for the country and black money.My dear young friends, I am convinced we can and we will build a Swachh Bharat free of all forms of filth within one generation," he added.
Expressing his gratitude to the nation for working with him in the cleanliness drive, Prime Minister Modi said he looks forward that the people continue to do so.
"India is a young country and our future is built on the choices you make and the actions you take. Hope you too will seize the moment. Your sons and daughters are beyond your command, your old roads ageing, please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand," he added.
Global Citizen India is a social action platform for a generation that wants to solve the world's challenges.
The festival will conclude a two-month long campaign in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
