Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the benefits of good governance and development should reach all people in the country. In his monthly Mann ki Baat address on All India Radio, Modi said,“Lokmanya Tilak gave the slogan ‘Swaraj is my birth right’ and ignited self-confidence among people. Today the time is to re-emphasise that ‘Suraj [Suraja or good governance] is our birthright’.”

Modi also praised freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad, whose 113th birth anniversary was celebrated on July 23. Modi said Azad wanted to “live fighting for freedom and die a free man”, the Hindustan Times reported.

The prime minister also urged people to celebrate the Ganesh festival, which he said was the result of Tilak’s efforts, in an eco-friendly way. He also congratulated several students who had cleared exams.

Modi said youngsters in India are now using smart technology to transform lives. The prime minister said two youths from Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, who reside in the United States, had submitted a “smartgaon app”. The app has brought about a digital revolution in the village as all development works can be recorded, tracked and monitored through it, Modi said. “The app also contains telephone directory of the village, news section, events list, health centre and information centre, it is also highly useful for farmers,” he added.

The prime minster also spoke about the efforts to rescue 12 schoolboys and their football coach who were marooned in a cave in Thailand for over 10 days. Through the exercise, one can learn about patience, bravery and organisation, he said.