India’s Urban-Rural Gap Narrowed Significantly in 12 Years: Modi

"Over the past 12 years, the gap between cities and villages in India has significantly narrowed. Today, infrastructure in villages has improved significantly," he said. The prime minister also told the participants that one should work for constant reform and positive change in society, not just for politics of vote bank.

Altogether two bike rallies were flagged off at Vadnagar and Varanasi on September 17, Modi's 76th birthday, and it will end on October 7. The bike rallies -- from Vadnagar to Varanasi and from Varanasi to Vadnagar -- are being carried out to mark Prime Minister Modi's 25 years of public service.

Vadnagar in Gujarat is the birth place of Modi, while Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is his Lok Sabha constituency since 2014. The two rallies are passing through towns, districts, and villages to take the spirit of service directly to the grassroots.

Modi said Vadnagar gave him the values that shaped his life, and Kashi (Varanasi) has added countless colours of service to those values. "I am glad that all of you are also enriching this journey with the many colours of service," he said.

The two bike rallies are bringing together several dimensions of public engagement, including 'seva' (service), 'sampark' (connect), youth participation, social welfare, cultural connect and community mobilisation and carrying them from one grassroots location to another. On Thursday, the prime minister interacted with those taking part in the rally travelling from Vadnagar to Varanasi.