Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Welcome once again to ‘Mann Ki Baat’. This month of March has been full of turbulence globally. All of us remember that the entire world faced myriad problems for a long time on account of COVID. Indeed, all of us had expected that after emerging from the Corona crisis, the world would move forward on the path of renewed progress. However, situations of war and conflict have continuously kept arising in different parts of the world. Presently, a fierce war has been going on in our neighbourhood for a month. Millions of our family members, near and dear ones, live in these countries, especially working in the Gulf countries. I am deeply grateful to the Gulf countries, who are providing all kinds of assistance to more than 1 crore such Indians there. Friends, the region where the war is currently going on is a major centre of our energy needs. On account of that, a crisis is emerging around the world regarding petrol and diesel.
Our global relations; the support we receive from various countries, and the strengths the country has built over the past decade have enabled India to bravely confront these circumstances. Friends, these certainly are challenging times. Today, through “Mann Ki Baat,” I would once again urge all my countrymen that we must unitedly overcome this challenge. Those who are politicising even this issue should refrain from doing so. This is a matter concerning the interests of 140 crore countrymen; there is no place for selfserving politics. …
I want to tell you about an initiative that reflects the spirit of public participation among our countrymen. This initiative is the Gyan Bharatam Survey, which is related to our great culture and rich heritage. Its objective is to collect information about manuscripts across the country. One way to participate in this survey is through the Gyan Bharatam App. If you have a manuscript or information about it, do share its image on the Gyan Bharatam App. …
My dear countrymen, India is the youngest country in the world. When the strength of the country’s youth is involved in nation-building, it is of immense help. The organization MY Bharat, is playing a major role in fulfilling this responsibility of nation-building. This organization is connecting the country’s youth with various positive activities. Recently, MY Bharat organized a budget quest. Its aim was to connect the youth across the country with the budget process and policymaking. Nearly 12 lakh youth from across the country participated in the quiz. …
Those who are politicising even this issue should refrain from doing so. This is a matter concerning the interests of 140 crore countrymen; there is no place for self-serving politics.
Friends, I have always urged all of you to certainly pay attention to your fitness. Now less than 100 days are left for the International Yoga Day; the attraction towards yoga is also rising continuously all over the world. … I would urge all of you to reduce your sugar intake also… and as I have said earlier, we also need to cut down on cooking oil by 10 percent. These small efforts will keep you away from obesity and lifestyle diseases ….
My dear countrymen, summer has begun in many parts of the country, which means it’s time to renew our commitment to water conservation. Over the last 11 years, the ‘Jal Sanchay Abhiyan’ has created a lot of awareness among the people. Under this campaign, nearly 50 lakh Artificial Water Harvesting Structures have been created across the country. I am happy to see that communitylevel efforts are now underway in every village to address the water crisis. …
Friends, a unique initiative was also observed in Korea district of Chhattisgarh. Farmers there worked on a simple yet effective idea. They made small recharge ponds and soak pits in their fields, allowing rainwater to remain in the fields and gradually seep into the ground. Today, more than 1,200 farmers in this area have adopted this model, and the groundwater level of the village has improved significantly. …
The following are the excerpts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly broadcast, Mann Ki Baat, delivered on March 29.
My dear countrymen, our fishermen brothers and sisters are not just warriors of the sea; they are also a strong foundation of a self-reliant India. Battling the waves of the sea even before dawn, they set out to strengthen their families and the country’s economy. The lives of these hardworking fishermen are being made easier in many ways today. … they are being fully supported through technology. I am extremely happy that such efforts are not only enriching our fisheries sector; it is also instilling the spirit to innovate. … My dear countrymen, if you visit any city, big or small, today, you will surely notice a change.
You will see solar panels installed on the rooftops of a large number of homes. Until a few years ago, this was only seen on a few homes. But today, the impact of the “PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana” is being observed in every corner of the country. This scheme has brought about a profound change in the life of Payal Munjpara of Surendranagar district, Gujarat. …There are countless such examples of the solar energy revolution in the country. Do join this revolution and connect others too. My dear countrymen, every month I receive numerous messages from different parts of the country for ‘Mann Ki Baat’. … When I read your suggestions, I feel that this is not just a programme; it has become a shared dialogue between all of us. Your thoughts… Your experiences inspire us to continuously improve this programme.
