Single Muslim women keen for Haj pilgrimage must get preference: PM

ASEAN completed its 50 years of formation in 2017 and in 2017 25 years of India's partnership with ASEAN were completed, he added. The PM appealed to the youth to register themselves as voters.

In the wake of the new Haj policy, a total of 1300 women from around the country have applied to perform Haj without "mehram" or male guardian, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

Bidding adieu to 2017 and welcoming New Year 2018, he asked the youth of the nation to come forward and contribute in making of a New India which will be free from poison of casteism, communalism, terrorism and corruption. "As voters of this century, you too must be feeling proud", said PM Modi.

PM Modi also said that it was time to transform the nation from "Positive India" to "Progressive India".

Addressing the nation through 39th edition of "Mann ki Baat", the PM said around 1,300 women applied for Haj without a male guardian. People born in the year 2000 or later; those born in the 21st century, will gradually begin to become eligible voters from the 1st of January, 2018. "I had a chance of meeting some daughters of Jammu and Kashmir. I was amazed by spirit they had, the enthusiasm in their hearts and the dreams they nurtured". The Indian Democracy welcomes the voters of the 21st century, the "New India Voters".

He also focussed on the Swachh Bharat mission and said that cleanliness surveys will be conducted from January 4 to 10, 2018 to evaluate achievements in cleanliness level in our urban areas.

Modi then mentioned one Anjum Bashir Khan Khattak, who topped the Kashmir Administrative Services Examination despite being surrounded by terrorism and hatred in and around the Valley.

Modi also said: "January 26, 2018, will especially be remembered through the ages".

PM Modi described the upcoming Republic Day celebrations as special since for the first time ASEAN leaders from the 10 countries would be in attendance as Chief Guests. Such a thing has never happened before in the history of India.