India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a 104-year-old woman who sold her goats to build toilets at her home in a village in Chhattisgarh for her efforts to make the village open defecation free.

During a ceremony of the launch of 'Rurban Mission' in Kurrubhat village in the state's Rajandgaon district on Sunday (Feb 21), Mr Modi was seen touching Madam Kunwar Bai's feet, a gesture of respect in Indian culture.

Madam Bai had sold about eight to 10 goats to build two toilets at her home, reported Times of India.

She then started showing other villagers the toilets at her home while informing them about the importance of having toilets.

Now, every home in the village has toilets.

"An elderly woman of 104 years who stays in a remote village, does not watch TV or read papers, but the message of building toilets under clean India mission somehow reached her," Mr Modi said.

Two development blocks - Ambagarh Chowki and Chhuriya - of Rajnandgaon were also declared open defecation free by Mr Modi.

Calling it a major change taking place at the roots of the country, Mr Modi urged the media to spread Madam Bai's story.

"The country is changing. It seems when a woman at a remote village makes efforts to fulfil dream of clean India mission, she is an inspiration for everyone, especially youths," he said.