On October 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed 106th edition of his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’. People from across the country listened in communities. He commenced Mann Ki Baat with a news from Delhi itself. At the beginning of this month, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Khadi witnessed record sales in Delhi. Here at Connaught Place, at a single Khadi store, in a single day, people purchased goods worth over a crore and a half rupees, said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister hailed, the ongoing Khadi Mahotsav this month has broken all its previous sales records. “You will be pleased to know of another fact that earlier in the country, the sale of Khadi products could barely touch thirty thousand crore rupees; now this is rising to reach almost 1.25 lakh crore rupees. The rise in sales of Khadi means its benefit reaches myriad sections across cities and villages. Benefiting from these sales are our weavers, handicraft artisans, farmers, and cottage industries engaged in growing Ayurvedic plants, everyone is getting the benefit of this sale… and, this is the strength of vocal for the local campaign… gradually the support of all you countrymen is increasing,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also stressed that the purchase of local goods from small shopkeepers and street vendors should be our priority in festivals, adding that this ‘spirit of vocal for local’ is just beginning and that it should not be limited to festive shopping.
“Friends, like every time, this time too, in our festivals, our priority should be ‘Vocal for Local’ and let us together fulfil that dream; our dream is Aatmnirbhar Bharat: This time, let us illuminate homes only with a product which radiates the fragrance of the sweat of one of my countrymen, the talent of a youth of my country… which has provided employment to my countrymen in its making. Whatever our daily life’s requirements, we shall buy local. But you have to pay attention to one more thing. The spirit of vocal for local should not be limited only to festive shopping,” he said.
“I have seen people upload their selfies on social media after buying diyas (earthen lamps) for Diwali. It is just a beginning. We have to move far ahead. Everything is available in our country for our every need. The vision is not only for purchasing goods from small shopkeepers and street vendors,” PM Modi added.
During the address, he urged the countrymen to try to insist on the UPI digital payment system, the pride of the country.
“Today India is becoming the world’s biggest manufacturing hub. Many big brands are manufacturing their products here. If we adopt those products, then Make In India gets a fillip and this too is being ‘Vocal For Local, and Yes, while buying such products, try to insist on the pride of our country, the UPI digital payment system,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that everything is available in our country for our every need. “October 31 is a very special day for all of us. On this day, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” he added.
The PM also recalled Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary on October 31, and paid his ‘heartfelt tribute’. During the address, PM Modi also said that on November 15, the entire nation will celebrate Tribal Pride Day on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
He added that, “the entire country will celebrate the ‘Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas’ on the November 15. This special day is associated with the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Bhagwan Birsa Munda dwells in the hearts of all of us. We can learn from his life what true courage is and what it means to stand firm on one’s resolve. He never accepted foreign rule. He envisioned a society where there was no room for injustice. He wanted that every person should be entitled to a life of dignity and equality. Bhagwan Birsa Munda always emphasised on living in harmony with nature. Even today we can say that our tribal brothers and sisters are dedicated in every way to the care and conservation of nature. For all of us, these endeavours of our Adivasi brothers and sisters is a great inspiration”.
“The foundation of a very big nationwide organisation is being laid on October 31 and that too on the birth anniversary of Sardar Saheb. The name of this organization is ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’, i.e. ‘My Bharat’. The organisation will offer an opportunity for the youth of India to actively participate in various nation-building events. This is a unique effort to integrate the youth power of India in building a developed India. Mera Yuva Bharat’s website My Bharat is also about to be launched. I would urge the youth to register on MyBharat.gov.in and sign up for various programs,” PM Modi said.
The PM announced a major nationwide ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ platform which will be launched on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on October 31. PM Modi said that the name of this organisation is ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’, i.e. ‘My Bharat’ and it will provide an opportunity for the youth of India to play an active role in various nation-building events.
He said that Mera Yuva Bharat’s website My Bharat is also about to be launched.
Talking about the sentiment of the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He shared two very inspiring endeavours related to the glorious heritage of Tamil Nadu.
He also paid tributes to Govind Guru Ji on his death anniversary and said, “Govind Guru Ji has had a very special significance in the lives of the tribal and deprived communities of Gujarat and Rajasthan. I also pay my tribute to Govind Guru Ji. In the month of November we solemnly observe the anniversary of the Mangadh massacre. I salute all the children of Ma Bharati who were martyred in that massacre”.
During this festive season, at this time in the country, the flag of sports is also flying high. Recently, after the Asian Games, Indian Players also achieved tremendous success in the Para Asian Games. India has created a new history by winning 111 medals in these games. I congratulate all the athletes participating in the Para Asian Games, he added.
He also drew his attention to the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which was organised in Berlin, taking the competition as a wonderful opportunity for our athletes with intellectual disabilities, to display their capabilities.
PM Modi said that, in this competition the Indian Team won 200 medals including 75 Gold Medals. Be it Roller Skating, Beach Volleyball, Football or Lawn Tennis, Indian players won a flurry of medals. The life journey of these medal winners has been quite inspiring. Haryana’s Ranveer Saini has won the Gold Medal in Golf. For Ranveer, who has been suffering from autism since childhood, no challenge could reduce his passion for Golf. His mother even says that everyone in the family has now become a golfer. 16 year old T-Vishal from Puducherry won 4 medals. Siya Sarode of Goa won 4 medals including 2 Gold Medals in power lifting. Even after losing her mother at the age of 9, she did not let herself get discouraged. Anurag Prasad, resident of Durg Chhattisgarh, has won 3 Gold and 1 Silver medal in power lifting. Another such inspiring story is that of Indu Prakash of Jharkhand, who has won 2 medals in cycling. Despite being from a very ordinary family, Indu never let poverty become an obstacle in the path of her success. I am confident that the success of Indian players in these games will also inspire other children with intellectual disabilities and their families. I also urge you all to go with your family and visit such children in your village, or in the neighbourhood, who have taken part in these games or have emerged victorious. Congratulate them. And spend some moments with those children. You will undergo a new experience. God has instilled within them a certain strength that you will also get a chance to observe and feel. Do visit.
In conclusio, Pm Modi said, every interaction with all of you fills me up with new energy. Hundreds of stories related to hope and positivity keep reaching me in your messages. I again urge you to emphasize on Aatma Nirbhar Bharat campaign. Buy local products, be Vocal for Local. Just as you keep your houses clean, keep your locality and city clean. And you know, on the 31st of October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Saheb, the country celebrates it as Unity Day; Run for Unity programs are organized at many places in the country. You too should organise the Run for Unity Programs on the 31st of October. You should also join in large numbers and strengthen the resolve of unity. Once again, I extend many best wishes for the upcoming festivals. I wish you all celebrate with joy, with your family; stay healthy, stay happy. And yes, at the time of Diwali, no such mistake should be made that any incidents of fire may occur. If someone’s life is in danger then you must take care; take care of yourself, and also take care of the entire area.
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