NEW DELHI: Extending the season’s greetings to people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged them to be a little cautious while enjoying the festivals, given that there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases in many countries.
Addressing the 96th edition of Mann Ki Baat, the last of the year 2022, PM Modi advised people to follow the social distancing norms and adhere to the precautions that have been mentioned earlier, such as wearing a mask and washing hands.
‘MAKE G20 A MASS MOVEMENT’
“I wish you all the best for the year 2023. May this year also be special for the country, may the country keep touching new heights, and together we have to take a resolution as well as make it come true,” said the Prime Minister Speaking about India’s presidency of G20, he said, “In 2023, we have to take the enthusiasm of G20 to new heights, make this event a mass movement.” As part of the global event, key meetings are taking place in different parts of the country and the leaders’ summit is scheduled for September 2023.
Eight years ago, we started the ‘Namami Gange Campaign’. It is a matter of pride for all of us that, today, this initiative of India is getting appreciation from all over the world
The following are the excerpts of PM Modi’s Mann ki Baat, aired on December 25:
Special place for India
This year India completed 75 years of her independence and this very year Amrit Kal commenced. This year the country gained a new momentum, all the countrymen performed one better than the other. The various successes of 2022, today, have created a special place for India all over the world.
My dear countrymen, today the festival of Christmas is also being celebrated with great fervour all over the world. It is a day to remember the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Friends, today is also the birthday of our respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. He was a great statesman who gave exceptional leadership to the country. He has a special place in the heart of every Indian.
Yoga and Ayurveda
I am happy that in the era of evidencebased medicine, Yoga and Ayurveda are now standing up to the touchstone of tests of the modern era. All of you must have heard about the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. This institute has earned a name for itself in research, innovation and cancer care.
An intensive research done by this center has revealed that yoga is very effective for breast cancer patients. In today’s era, the more evidencebased Indian medical systems are, the more their acceptance will increase in the whole world. With this thought, an effort is also being made in Delhi’s AIIMS.
The result of these continuous efforts is that – due to the removal of garbage, removal of unnecessary items, a lot of space opens up in the offices, new space is available
Friends, a few days ago I was in Goa for the World Ayurveda Congress. Delegates from more than 40 countries participated in it and more than 550 scientific papers were presented here. Around 215 companies from around the world including India displayed their products in the exhibition here.
Key health challenges
In the last few years we have overcome many major challenges related to the health sector. Full credit for this goes to the willpower of our Medical Experts, Scientists and countrymen. We have eradicated diseases like Smallpox, Polio and ‘Guinea Worm’ from India. Today, I would like to tell the listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ about another challenge, which is now about to end. This challenge, this disease is ‘Kala Azar’. The parasite of this disease is spread through the sting of the sand fly. When someone has ‘Kala Azar’, one has fever for months, there is anemia, the body becomes weak and the weight also decreases. This disease can happen to anyone from children to elders. But with everyone’s efforts, this disease named ‘Kala Azar’ is now getting eradicated rapidly.
Namami Gange project
Eight years ago, we started the ‘Namami Gange Campaign’. It is a matter of pride for all of us that, today, this initiative of India is getting appreciation from all over the world. The United Nations has included the ‘Namami Gange’ mission in the world’s top ten initiatives to restore the ecosystem. It is even more heartening that ‘Namami Gange’ has received this honour among 160 such initiatives from all over the world. The biggest source of energy behind the ‘Namami Gange’ campaign is the continuous participation of the people. In the ‘Namami Gange’ campaign, Ganga Praharis and Ganga Doots also have a big role to play. They are engaged in spreading awareness through planting trees, cleaning ghats, Ganga Aarti, street plays, painting and poems. A lot of improvement is also being seen in biodiversity due to this campaign.
Swachh Bharat Mission
I am happy that the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ has become firmly rooted in the mind of every Indian today. Since the inception of this mass movement in the year 2014, to take it to new heights, many unique efforts have been made by the people. These efforts are being made not only within the society but also on part of the Government. The result of these continuous efforts is that – due to the removal of garbage, removal of unnecessary items, a lot of space opens up in the offices, new space is available. Earlier, due to lack of space, offices had to be maintained on rent at far off places. These days, due to this cleanliness, so much space is available, that, now, all the offices are converging at one place.
Skilled bamboo artisans
My dear countrymen, many beautiful and useful things are made from bamboo in many areas of the country. There are skilled bamboo artisans, skilled artists, especially in tribal areas. Ever since the country changed the British-era laws related to bamboo, a huge market has developed for it. Even in areas like Palghar in Maharashtra, tribal people make many beautiful products from bamboo. Things like boxes, chairs, teapots, baskets, and trays made of bamboo are becoming very popular.
My dear countrymen, now we are slowly moving towards the unprecedented milestone of the 100th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’. I have received letters from many countrymen, in which they have expressed great inquisitiveness about the 100th episode. I would like it if you send me your suggestions for what we should talk about in the 100th episode and how to make it special. Next time we will meet in the year 2023. I wish you all the best for the year 2023.
