Prime Minister Modi Reflects on 10 Years of 'Mann Ki Baat'

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the completion of 10 years of his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday. During the 113th episode of the program, he expressed his gratitude to listeners, acknowledging their letters and suggestions.

PM Modi reflected on the journey of 'Mann Ki Baat,' noting that the program began on Vijayadashami on October 3, 2014. He stated that the upcoming anniversary on October 3, 2024, coincides with the first day of Navratri.

The Prime Minister highlighted how the media played a significant role in amplifying the issues discussed on the program. He thanked radio, television, YouTube, and print media for their support, emphasizing that the show has revealed the talents of many individuals who have selflessly dedicated their lives to service.

10 Years of the Cleanliness Drive

PM Modi celebrated the completion of 10 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2024. He praised the individuals who contributed to the movement, calling it a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He emphasized the importance of making cleanliness a natural habit for everyone.

PM Modi acknowledged the commendable efforts of people across the country in promoting cleanliness. He mentioned youth from the border village Jhala in Uttarakhand, who worked tirelessly to clean their village. Additionally, he praised the massive cleaning campaign conducted at a beach in Puducherry and highlighted the efforts of Subramanyam from Kozhikode, Kerala, who has repaired over 23,000 chairs, earning the title of champion of reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Celebrating 10 Years of 'Make in India'

Marking a decade of the 'Make in India' initiative, PM Modi credited its success to contributions from large industries and small-scale businesses alike. He urged citizens to focus on two key aspects: global quality standards and prioritizing local products, calling for renewed commitment to the "Vocal for Local" movement.

He encouraged people to buy locally made products that carry the labor and effort of Indian workers. He expressed satisfaction with the involvement of the middle class and said that India has become a production powerhouse, with rising exports in sectors like automobiles, textiles, aviation, electronics, and defense. The continuous growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) also reflects the success of 'Make in India.'

Efforts in Water Conservation

Continuing his focus on water conservation, the Prime Minister appreciated ongoing efforts in various parts of the country. He highlighted successful projects in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where rivers and water bodies have been revived through community efforts. For example, women in Jhansi worked to rejuvenate the Ghurar river by building check dams, while in Dindori, a large pond construction significantly boosted groundwater levels.

PM Modi also touched upon his recent visit to the United States, where 300 stolen or trafficked ancient artifacts were returned to India, further strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations.

The Prime Minister commended efforts to digitize the Santhali language, spoken by the Santhal community across multiple states in India as well as in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Ramjit Tudu from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district led an initiative to create a digital platform for Santhali literature, developing technology that allows for typing in the Santhali script ‘Ol Chiki.’

PM Modi expressed his delight at the public's participation in the ‘A Tree in the Name of the Mother’ campaign. He shared the inspiring story of KN Rajshekhar from Telangana, who started planting one tree every day four years ago. Despite being involved in an accident, Rajshekhar continued the campaign, planting over 1,500 trees to date.

With 'Mann Ki Baat' completing a decade, PM Modi thanked citizens for their support and engagement, ensuring that the program continues to highlight important social and cultural issues.