Mumbai: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Jan 16, 2004) underscored the need for a united battle to fight the vagaries of nature and to ensure relief to those reeling under drought conditions in various parts of India.

Speaking after unveiling the statue of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji near the international airport, he said despite the fact that several regions in the country had experienced drought, the Government was able to provide wheat at two Rupees and rice at three Rupees.

"We need to prepare ourselves to fight nature," Vajpayee said, quoting the example of Gujarat and Kutch and the help the quake affected regions received locally and globally.

He said a team of Indian doctors had been deployed to Iran to provide help during the earthquake.

"Helping people in the hour of need is part of our dharma," the Prime Minister said, adding that in case of any shortage, it was the duty of the society to rush to the aid of the needy.

"We have enough food grain, but if the distribution system does not work correctly, assistance would not reach the needy," he said adding that the Centre did not differentiate while providing help during drought.

On the issue of restoring the ancient forts in the State, he said it was time that "we take care of such monuments".

Dubbing the exercise as an expensive one, he said the Centre would not deny help if the Chief Minister approached, however, he was confident that he (Shinde) was capable of handling the situation on his own.

On the issue of cleanliness, he said the country should work together and launch a united campaign to bring in cleanliness and enhance the living standards of those living in villages and cities.

India has a history of more than 1,000 years, but it still has not reached a stage where it could be incorporated among the top few nations, he said.

Calling for building a clean nation sans slums, Vajpayee said the effort has to be united one to ensure success.