Speaking at the 86th episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged the country's youth to celebrate songs in their mother tongue.
He referred to Tanzanian TikTok creators Kili Paul and Neema Paul, who have been seen lip-syncing to Bollywood songs and asked India's youth to celebrate their own songs as well.
Speaking about mother tongue and its importance, he said, "Just like we cannot leave our mother, we cannot leave our mother tongue." He added that Indians should speak our mother tongue with pride.
He also remembered late iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar.
"For centuries our languages are imbibing and enriching each other and helping in each other's development. Just as in India, Tamil is the world's oldest language, and every Indian should be proud that such a big heritage is with us. Similarly, Sanskrit gives expression to the world's oldest religious scriptures."Prime Minister Narendra Modi
He said that the National Education Policy (NEP) has been designed keeping the diversity of language in mind. "Efforts are being made to conduct professional courses in regional languages."
He said that when he met Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, he told him about how his daughter recovered from an illness with the help of ayurvedic medicine.
"It is a matter of joy that due to our land and its tradition, a huge suffering from someone’s life has been eradicated. This must make you happy too. Hearing this, will not every Indian feel proud?"Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Pointing out to the fact that Women’s Day is coming up, Modi said that participation of women has been increasing in every field. "The number of girls going to school has increased. It is our duty to ensure that daughters do not leave school midway," he said.
He said, "Under Swachh Bharat, open defecation has stopped. Social evils like Triple Talaq are coming to an end." He added, "How is it that so many changes are taking place so quickly? This is because women are leading the change."
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