Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday formally reached out to the media, his first such interaction since assuming office after general elections in May this year.
Modi lauded the media for its role in furthering his ambitious "Clean India Campaign", which he launched early this month.
"You have turned your pen into a broom," he told some 400 journalists at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's headquarters in capital New Delhi.
The Prime Minister said, "I am reading so many articles on clean India. Electronic and social media is also doing a comprehensive debate on it. This is a service to the nation. This is a good example of how the media can play a constructive role."
Modi also recalled his days as a young party worker when he used to wait for the media to arrive and put out chairs for them.
"I am trying to find ways to improve my connection with the media," he said.