Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to his monthly radio-show ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, 28 July wherein, right from the flood situation in our country to the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, he spoke on a wide range of topics. This was the second episode of the radio programme after Modi’s re-election.
Speaking to the nation, Modi said, “I spoke about water conversation in my last show, but I feel like even before I spoke on it, it has always been a sensitive topic. I see that the issue if water crisis has stirred the hearts of Indians. On our app, People have shared information about several conservation programmes and initiatives started by NGO’s.”
This is the second edition of the programme after Modi assumed his office for the second term.
‘Festivals Must Be Utilised to Spread Awareness’
In his last show on 30 June, Modi had pointed out the water crisis in the country, stating that only 8 percent of rain water is harvested in the whole country. This time, he continued on the subject and said, “Meghalaya has become the first state to have formulated its own water-policy. I congratulate Meghalaya govt. In Haryana, crops that require meagre water are being encouraged. Farmers thus are saved from suffering losses.”
PM said that the season of festival is approaching and so is a great opportunity to spread awareness about water conservation across all platforms.
He said, “Fairs must be used to spread awareness for water conservation. Exhibitions and street plays will be prove effective in taking the message forward.”
Cancer Survivors and Champions
Earlier this month, seven Indian children, who survived cancer, brought home laurels after winning gold and silver medals at the World Children's Winners Games in Russia.
“Some things fill us with enthusiasm, I want to talk about children. Nidhi Baipotu, Anant Tiwari, Priti Naag, Hritik Ala Manda, and others. Cancer is a dreadful word, it is synonymous with death. However, all these children not only defeated it, but also bought laurels to the country,” said Modi.
He added that at the Games that were held in Moscow, the young cancer survivors participated in shooting, swimming, chess, running, football, table tennis and more. Expressing his happiness over their achievements, he said, “Players are declared champions after winning, but here the players were already the champions,”
‘Faith & Fearlessness — What Chandrayaan-2 Launch Taught Me’
From one topic to another, Modi quickly jumped to talking about the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 — India’s second mission to the moon — that took place on Monday, 22 July.
He said, “From the viewpoint of the science, we have had a good year so far. Our scientists launched A-SAT (Anti-Satellite Weapon) in March this year, followed by launch of Chandrayaan-2 in July. But in the hustle and bustle of elections, A-SAT launch did not get a lot of publicity, even though we hit a satellite 300 kms away in 3 minutes.”
Modi emphasised that India became the fourth nation to enter the elite space power club, an achievement that should always be remembered.
Talking about the Chandrayaan-2 mission, he said that it is a special mission in many ways but it had two important lessons for him — ‘Faith and Fearlessness.’
“We must have faith in our talent and capability. Chandrayaan-2 is an indigenous mission. Our scientists dealt with the technical issues timely, and we all are very proud. We all face temporary setbacks, but remember, the capacity to overcome it, is within us.”Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Modi believes that such milestones in the scientific field will inspire the youth to pursue related innovations.
Mission Calls for a Quiz!
In the show, the Prime Minister announced that there is a unique quiz for all the young students, especially science and space enthusiasts.
The quiz which will contain questions on varied topics, such as requirements for a rocket launch, how to place a satellite in space, or what it is an A-SAT?
More information regarding the quiz will be posted on My Gov on 1 August.
“Students with the highest scores will be given a huge reward. The government, on their expense, will take them to Sriharikota in September to witness the historic event of our satellite landing on the moon’s surface.”
'Cleanliness Movement in India is Surging Ahead’
Modi also addressed the progress of cleanliness movement in the country, saying that be it Open-Defecation Free (ODF) states or keeping the public spaces clean, the efforts are attributed to the 130 crore Indians.
“The cleanliness movement is moving forward. I saw the amazing work that Yogesh Saini and his team have been doing. An engineer who left his job in US, is now here and has made Delhi more beautiful and clean. He started with the Lodhi gardens, did street art and paintings and beautified over-bridges.”
He stated that during the Kumbh Mela in January-March, Saini and his team played a significant role in beautifying the place with their creativity. The walls and corners “spoke more than a thousand words.”
Modi also urged people of the country to develop the culture of “waste to wealth”
‘Back to Village’ Scheme in J&K
“It's a matter of happiness that 'Back to Village' program was held in remote villages too. Officials reached Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag without fear. Participation in such programs show our brothers and sisters in Kashmir want good governance.”
Modi said that Mohammad Aslam of Shopian commented on the My Gov site that he is happy with the programme, and that it should be held every 3 months, along with “online monitoring.”
Several government officials reached deep into places such as Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, to understand and resolve problems that have been stalling development in such areas since a long time.
“Our officials provided information about or schemes, many of them were unaware but a lot of the locals also spoke about their issues like literacy, sex-ratio, health, electricity, girl education, senior citiizens related issues, etc,” said Modi.
He said that some of our officials stayed back for two days and one night, some even longer than that.
Monsoon — A Boon, Bane, or Both?
The Prime Minister expressed his happiness on what the monsoon season brings with it, but also acknowledged the states reeling under deluge presently.
He said, “When we look around during monsoon, Earth is covered with a green carpet. Devotees are going on Kaanwaad and Amarnath Yatra. Some are observing fasts as Janmashtami and Naagpanchami.”
He said that this year for Amarnath Yatra, it is the highest turnout of devotees in the past four years as more than 3 lakhs have embarked on the journey.
Thanking the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their hospitality, he said that this will be great for their tourism in the future.
“8 Lakh devotees have visited Kedarnath in Uttarakhand this year. A great push since the 2013 disaster. I urge you all to visit these beautiful places,” said Modi.
Talking about floods, he said that “I assure all victims that we are working with the State governments to provide aid at the earliest.”
He added, “We only see one aspect of floods on television. But there are happy farmers, waterfalls, chirping birds, and vast expanses of greenery to be happy about.”
The programme, traditionally airs on the last Sunday of every month, was an important feature of PM Modi’s last term.
Suggestions for the topic of the show are invited from the public, who can hear it live on AIR, DD and the Narendra Modi Mobile App.
(With inputs from narendramodi.in)
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