PM Narendra Modi’s conversation with the nation on November 28, Mann Ki Baat, touched a range of topics – freedom struggle, country’s armed forces, Indian culture, government schemes amongst others.
The 83rd edition of the program also saw the Prime Minister motivate the youth with stories of successful startups.
India’s Bravehearts
Prime Minister Modi reminded the nation of the upcoming Navy Day and Armed Forces Flag Day in December and pointed out that December 16 also marks the golden jubilee of the 1971 war.
He is reminded of India’s bravehearts on these occasions, the PM said, also heaping praise on the mothers who gifted the nation with such bravehearts.
Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsav
Quoting a listener who wrote to the PM saying he enjoyed the discussions on ‘Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsav,’ the Prime Minister dwelled deeper into the subject.
A program called ‘Azadi Ki Kahani – Bachchon Ki Zubani’ was held in Delhi recently, said Mr. Modi. The program, which had the children narrating the stories from the nation’s freedom struggle, had witnessed participation not just from India but from Fiji, New Zealand, Tanzania, and other nations, he said.
ONGC, a Maharatna company, is organizing field trips for students to encourage them to do their bit for the nation-building efforts, the PM said.
The program ‘Janajati Gaurav Saptah’ celebrated the contributions of tribal communities in attaining freedom, and along with others, the Jarwa and Onge tribes from the Andaman and Nicobar islands displayed their culture, the Prime Minister noted.
Indian Culture transcends boundaries
The Prime Minister told the nation that there is an art gallery named ‘Sacred India Gallery’ set up in Perth, Australia. A local resident Ms. Jagat Tarini, although an Australian, spent 13 years in India’s Vrindavan and recreated the place in Australia via the medium of art, he said. The museum featured artwork illustrating Lord Shri Krishna holding up the Govardhan Parvat, the PM said.
Another Australian, John Lang, was Rani Jhansi Laxmi Bai’s lawyer against the East India Company, the PM noted.
Sabka Prayas – A collective effort
Prime Minister lauded the efforts undertaken by the people of Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh. As the Noon river reached the verge of extinction, the local villagers took the initiative, volunteered, and saved the river at a very low cost, thus benefitting many people, he said.
This is why he keeps stressing on ‘Sabka Prayas,’ said Mr. Modi.
He further lauded the efforts of the people of Thoothukudi. As the islets faced submersion in the sea, the people planted Palmyra trees there, which can withstand even cyclones and storms, he said.
Boat floating in the water or air?
The Prime Minister noted that there is a picture circulating online that showed a boat floating in the water, but it looked as if it was flying in the air. He stressed the importance of revamping natural resources and preserving their beauty.
Ayushman Bharat
The Prime Minister placed a couple of phone calls to the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme (Central government’s Health Insurance scheme), and the recipients expressed their gratitude for such a program.
Job seekers to Job Creators
Today, there are 70 Unicorns in India, said PM Modi, explaining that a company that reached the valuation of 1 Billion Dollars is called a Unicorn.
The nation’s youth have also turned into Job Creators, said Mr. Modi, and placed a phone call to a startup owner Mayur Patil and enquired about his company’s efforts towards achieving fuel efficiency.
Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, the Prime Minister asked the public to take precautions.