Showering praise on Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said these "daughters" were the saving grace of India at the Rio Olympics.
Speaking at the inaugural function of Sauni irrigation project on Tuesday, Modi touched upon several social issues plaguing the country including gender-based discrimination.
"We have to make sure that our sisters and daughters don't have to go in open for defecation. You must have witnessed how our daughters saved India's face in Rio Olympics and brought honour to us (by winning medals). This is the true power of our daughters," said Modi to a cheering crowd at the venue here in Jamnagar district of Gujarat.
Shuttler Sindhu bagged a silver in the women's singles while Sakshi won India's first ever medal (bronze) in women's wrestling at Rio.
Modi stated that Gujarat government has been working on the "Beti Bachao" (save girl child) movement since long.
He urged parents as well as the society not to discriminate between boys and girls.
"I urge people not to repeat their old mistakes. We must understand that our girls are as capable as boys, which was proved in Rio Olympics. Do not discriminate between them," said Modi.
The PM urged people to take forward the movement of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao (Save Girls-Educate Girls) to the next level, that is Beti Khilao (Let girls play).
"After girls' performance in Rio, people have started saying that Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Beti Khilao. So let's encourage our daughters to take up sport activities," said Modi.
