Let's make Saarc abode of peace, progress: Mahajan

New Delhi: Emphasising that implementation of noble goals in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would be successful only when SAARC countries present a united front, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that collective efforts of all countries in South Asia, which is a home to about one fourth of the world population, would help in making SAARC an abode of peace, progress and prosperity.

Addressing the delegates at the 8th Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians in Colombo, Mahajan called upon SAARC countries to join hands for the prosperity of SAARC.

The Speaker opined that the global success of the SDGs is heavily dependent on their successful implementation in the SAARC countries. Quoting the adage 'poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere', Mahajan said that India has sincerely chosen the path of removing poverty by empowering the poor.

Mahajan also said that there are several shining examples of community-driven efforts in India especially in the area of rainwater harvesting, water conservation and cleanliness to make positive changes in the ground realities.

In this context, she shared with the progress of her own hometown Indore, which had been declared as the 'cleanest city in India'.

"This has been possible only through voluntary public participation, cooperation, and active involvement of people's representatives and implementing agencies," Mahajan said.