President Pranab Mukherjee has called for adoption of inclusive policies and concerted efforts in order to face the new challenges emerging due to the dynamic process of urbanization in the country.<br/><br/>He was addressing a function organised to mark the completion of 151 years of Nagpur Municipal Corporation on Monday.<br/><br/>AIR Correspondent reports, President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee asserted that the idea of local self governance is not new to our country.<br/><br/>Since Vedic times the Indians knew the art of self governance.<br/><br/>The 'Sabhas' used to be the elected bodies having executive and judicial powers.<br/><br/>The Panchayats also reigned supreme for a long time till subsequent rulers discontinued the system and led to creation of revenue oriented administrative system.<br/><br/>The concept again started evolving over the successive Five Year Plans and the present structure based on development of funds, functions and functionaries of rural and urban bodies has been an important milestone in empowerment of local self governance, he added. <br/><br/>Mr. Mukherjee lauded the role played by Nagpur Municipal Corporation in the pre as well as post-Independence era and expressed his confidence that it would carry forward its tradition to take all the citizens together to prosperity and contribute in the development of the country. <br/><br/>Maharashtra Governor Mr. Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Mr. Nitin Gadkari were also present on this occasion. <br/><br/>A special souvenir brought out to give a historical account of this city was also released at the hands of Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao and the first copy was presented to the President on this occasion.<br/><br/>Mr. Mukherjee would be the Chief Guest and deliver the valedictory address at the Thirteenth Convocation Ceremony of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology today before returning to the national capital.<br/><br/>Union Minister for Human Resources Development Smriti Irani would also be amongst the prominent dignitaries present on this occasion.