Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he welcomes 'constructive criticism'

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed "constructive criticism" of his government's performance in the past three years and said it was healthy for democracy that the government's work has been tested on every touchstone.

"An audit and assessment of the performance of the present government in the last three years is happening all over on newspapers, social media or TV for the last 15 days. Three years ago, you vested the responsibility of 'Pradhan Sewak', the chief servant of the people, upon me. There have been many surveys and several opinion polls. I see this entire process as a very healthy sign. The works done during these years were tested on every touchstone. It was analysed by every segment of society. And this is a great process in democracy," the PM said in his ' Mann Ki Baat' address on Sunday.

"I firmly believe governments must be accountable in democracy and the public at large must be provided with report card of works done… there were some praises, some support and sometimes shortcomings were also pointed out; I understand the importance of all these things. I thank people who provided critical and important feedback. The mistakes and the shortcomings once highlighted can be rectified.

Whether something is good, little less effective or bad, one has to learn from it and move ahead in life, putting the learning from it into practice. Constructive criticism strengthens democracy; for an aware nation, an awakened nation, this churning is very important," the PM said.

Modi said some people take 'Mann Ki Baat' as a monologue and some criticise it from a political angle. "But after a long experience, I now feel, that when I had first started 'Mann Ki Baat', I had not given thought to the fact that 'Mann Ki Baat' would make me a member of every family in India. Now I feel as if I'm conversing with my family while sitting at home. And, there are many families who have written to me these very feelings. And, as I said, as an ordinary citizen, I too get affected emotionally," the PM said.

In Sunday's address, the PM also conveyed Ramzan greetings to the people and said "both theists and atheists, idolaters and those loathing idol-worship coexist in the country".

Sunday being the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, the PM implored youngsters to visit the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, terming it as "a pilgrimage of our freedom struggle". He said ahead of World Yoga Day on June 21, he has written letters to all governments and leaders of the world.

"At a time when separatist forces are raising their ugly heads, this (Yoga) has been India's great contribution to the world. We have successfully connected the whole world through Yoga," the PM said. He appealed to people that on this third international Yoga Day, three generations of the family should do yoga together.

"Grandparents, parents and children should together perform Yoga and also upload their photos. It will be such a pleasant blend of yesterday, today and tomorrow that it will lend a new dimension to Yoga," the PM said. Modi said on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, litter bins will be made available to collect solid and liquid wastes separately in 4,000 towns.