Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wrote an op-ed in the New York Times about Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. In his article, titled "Why India and the World Need Gandhi", Modi stated that the great leader envisioned a world where every citizen has dignity and prosperity.

Here are some key highlights from the article:

Mahatma Gandhi (also) epitomised trust among all sections of society.

Gandhi combined ordinary objects with mass politics. Who else could have used a charkha, a spinning wheel, and khadi, Indian homespun cloth, as symbols of economic self-reliance and empowerment for a nation?

There have been many mass movements in the world… but what sets apart the Gandhian struggle and those inspired by him is the wide-scale public participation.

He (Gandhi) saw a deep link between political independence and personal empowerment. He envisioned a world where every citizen has dignity and prosperity.

In Gandhi, we have the best teacher to guide us. From uniting those who believe in humanity to furthering sustainable development and ensuring economic self-reliance, Gandhi offers solutions to every problem.

Let us work shoulder to shoulder to make our world prosperous and free from hate, violence and suffering.