New Delhi, April 9 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 cannot be realised without fully harnessing the country's "maternal and feminine strength".

In a video message, PM Modi said his experience of over 25 years in government has convinced him that women-led development is central to the national development process.

Addressing the women of the country directly, the Prime Minister recalled that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or the Women's Reservation Bill, was passed a few years ago with the consensus of all political parties.

He expressed hope that by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, women will get 33 per cent reservation in Parliament and state assemblies. ...