PM Shri Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat (HIGHLIGHTS)

India has achieved the export target of $ 400 billion i.e. 30 lakh crore rupees. In a way, this means that the demand for items made in India is increasing all over the world; the other meaning is that the supply chain of India is getting stronger by the day. New products from all corners of the country are reaching foreign shores. For example, the first consignment of millets grown in Himachal and Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark. Bainganapalli and Subarnarekha mangoes from Krishna and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh were exported to South Korea. Fresh jackfruits from Tripura were exported to London by air and for the first time King Chilli from Nagaland was dispatched to London. Similarly, the first consignment of Bhalia wheat was exported from Gujarat to Kenya and Sri Lanka. The list is very long and the power of Make in India is equivalent in might to the extent of the list. 

·         Equally great is the potential of India… and the basis of its strength are our farmers, artisans, our weavers, engineers, our small entrepreneurs, the MSME sector; people from many different professions, all of them are its true strength. It is only due to their hard work, that the goal of exporting to the tune of $ 400 billion has been achieved and I am happy that this power of the people of India is now reaching new markets in every nook and corner of the world. When each and every Indian is 'Vocal for Local,' it does not take long for the local to become global. Let's make the local 'global' and augment the prestige of our products further. 

·         Today, our small entrepreneurs are playing a major partnership role in government procurement through Government e-Market place i.e. GeM. A much transparent system has been developed through technology. During the last one year through the GeM portal, the government has purchased items worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore. Close to 1.25 lakh small entrepreneurs, small shopkeepers from every corner of the country have sold their goods directly to the government. Now, even the smallest of shopkeepers can sell one's goods to the government on the GeM Portal - this is 'New India.' She not only dreams big, but also shows the courage to reach that goal, where no one has reached before. On the basis of this very courage, all of us Indians together will definitely fulfill the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, a self-reliant India. 

·         You must have observed Baba Sivanandji in the recently held Padma Awards ceremony. Seeing the agility of the 126-year-old, everyone must have been surprised just like I was. Indeed, the life of Baba Sivanandji is an inspiration for all of us. I wish him a long life. He has a passion for yoga and leads a very healthy lifestyle. 

·         Today, the collective Indian thought on health, whether it is Yoga or Ayurveda, is increasingly trending all over the world. Just last week, a Yoga program was organized in Qatar. In this, citizens of 114 countries participated and made a new world record. Similarly, the market of the AYUSH Industry is also increasing continuously. 6 years ago, the market for medicines related to Ayurveda was around Rs 22,000 crores. Today, the AYUSH Manufacturing Industry is reaching around Rs 1,40,000 crores, which means, possibilities are increasing continuously in this sector. 

·         In the Start-Up world too, AYUSH is becoming a subject of attraction. I have a request for the Start-Ups of the Health Sector and especially the AYUSH Start-Ups. Whatever portal you design online; whatever content you create, try to make it in all the languages recognized by the United Nations. There are many such countries in the world where English is neither spoken nor understood much. Promote your information keeping such countries in mind as well. I am sure that soon, AYUSH Start-Ups from India with better quality products will reign all over the world. 

·         For centuries, water conservation in our country; protection of water sources has been part of the nature of society. I am happy that many people in the country have made water conservation a life mission. I hail from a state where there has always been a shortage of water. Step wells known as 'Vav' have played a big role in a state like Gujarat. Under the 'Jal Mandir Scheme' several step wells were revived all over Gujarat. This also helped a lot in raising the water level in these areas. You can also run similar campaigns at the local level. Be it the construction of check dams or rain water harvesting, individual efforts are also important in this and collective efforts are necessary too. For instance, at least 75 Amrit Sarovars can be made in every district of our country in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Some old lakes can be rejuvenated; some new ones can be dug. 

·         India's culture, our languages, our dialects, our way of life, our culinary range, all of this diversity is our great strength. From east to west, from north to south, this diversity binds India together, leading to Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Madhavpur Mela held at Madhavpur near the sea at Porbandar in Gujarat is a manifestation of this unity in diversity. It is said that thousands of years ago Lord Krishna was married to Rukmani, a princess from the North East. This marriage took place in Madhavpur, Porbandar and as a symbol of that marriage, even today Madhavpur fair is held there. This deep relationship between the East and West is our heritage. With the passage of time and with the efforts of the people, new aspects too are now being added to the Madhavpur fair. In local parlance, the bride's side is called Gharati and now many Gharatis from the North East have started coming to this fair. Artisans from all the states of the North East reach the Madhavpur, Fair, enhancing the beauty of the fair manifold. For a week, this amalgamation of cultures of the East and West of India creates a very beautiful example of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. 

·         Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is now becoming a new example of public participation. A few days ago, on the 23rd of March, many celebrations were held in different corners of the country on Martyrs' Day. The country remembered the heroes and heroines of her Independence; remembered them reverently. On the same day I also got the opportunity to dedicate to the nation the Biplobi Bharat Gallery at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata. This is a very unique gallery to pay tribute to the brave revolutionaries of India. 

·         In the month of April, we also celebrate the birth anniversary of two great personalities-Mahatma Phule's birth anniversary on the 11th of April and Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniver-sary on the 14th of April. Both of these great men fought persistently against discrimination and inequality. Mahatma Phule opened schools for girls in that era; raised his voice against female infanticide. Savitribai Phule played a significant role in the formation of many Social institutions. Taking inspiration from the life of Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar, I request all the parents and guardians to ensure education for their daughters. In order to increase the enrollment of daughters in schools, the Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav has also been started a few days ago… the focus is on bringing back to school those girls who missed their studies for some reason. 

·         Many festivals are lined up. In Navratri, we practice fasting, perform sadhana of Shakti, worship Shakti...that is, our traditions teach us celebration and restraint as well. Sanyam and Tap are also a festival for us, which is why Navratri has always been very special for all of us. Easter also comes in April and the holy days of Ramadan are also starting. Let us celebrate our festivals by including everyone together, strenthening India’s diversity...this is our collective desire.

(This is an approximate English translation of the PM's Mann Ki Baat originally delivered in Hindi).

Source: pmindia.gov.in