The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today attended the Opening Ceremony of the Haryana Swarna Jayanti Celebrations in Gurugram.

Speaking on the occasion, he said today is a day to look back at the time when Haryana was formed and the aims with which the state was formed.

Haryana is a relatively small state but it has contributed in so many areas, he said. The Prime Minister said that it is believed that Haryana has only farmers, but businessmen from the State have also had exemplary success.

People of Haryana have given their lives for the nation by serving in the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister said.

In such a distinguished state, female foeticide cannot exist, Shri Narendra Modi emphasized, adding that Haryana has now undertaken an effort to ensure that it does not happen. Let every citizen of Haryana pledge to protect the girl child, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that the people of Haryana should think about making the entire State, Open Defecation Free, within this Golden Jubilee year.

May the process of transformation begin in our villages and when this happens, the development of Haryana will receive an impetus, the Prime Minister said.