On September 29, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in the 114th episode of his monthly radio program, ‘Mann Ki Baat.’ This episode was particularly special, as it marked the 10-year anniversary of the program, which first aired on Vijayadashami in 2014. Over the past decade, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has evolved into a powerful platform that showcases India’s unity, diversity, and collective strength, bringing inspiring stories from across the country to millions of listeners.
PM Modi began his address by reflecting on the emotional journey of the past 10 years. He highlighted the program’s consistent effort to focus on positive stories that uplift and inspire, contrary to the common belief that only sensational or negative news draws attention. He likened the show’s listeners to the mythological Chakor bird, which is said to only drink raindrops, drawing a parallel to how the nation’s people eagerly consume stories of achievement and progress.
“People of the country are hungry for positive information,” PM Modi stated. He expressed immense gratitude to the crores of listeners who have been companions on this journey, contributing stories from every corner of the nation. The PM described ‘Mann Ki Baat’ as a “garland of new sagas,” each episode encapsulating unique records, personalities, and collective efforts.
PM Modi acknowledged the vital role played by Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati, All India Radio, and various media channels in taking ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to a wider audience. The program is broadcast in 22 Indian languages and 12 foreign languages, making it accessible to diverse communities. He particularly appreciated the media houses and YouTubers who consistently promoted the issues raised during the show, creating a ripple effect of positivity and awareness.
In keeping with the participatory nature of the program, PM Modi encouraged citizens to engage in the ongoing quiz competition based on ‘Mann Ki Baat’ through the MyGov platform, offering them a chance to win prizes.
As part of his broader message of sustainability, PM Modi emphasised the importance of water conservation, especially in light of recent heavy rains across various parts of the country. He spoke passionately about the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign and shared inspiring stories of grassroots efforts in water management. In Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, a group of women from a Self-Help Group (SHG) known as ‘Jal Saheli’ played a pivotal role in reviving the Ghurari river by constructing a check dam. Their efforts have not only solved the water problem in the region but have also brought newfound happiness to the community.
In Madhya Pradesh, similar stories emerged, where women in Raipura village have turned to fish farming after building a pond, boosting both the water table and their income. Meanwhile, in Chhatarpur, women revived a dying pond and used the silt to create a fruit forest, improving local agriculture.
Cleanliness has been a core theme of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ and with the Swachh Bharat Mission completing 10 years on October 2, PM Modi praised the nationwide efforts to promote cleanliness. He lauded initiatives like the ‘Dhanyvaad Prakriti’ campaign in Jhala village, Uttarkashi, where villagers engage in daily clean-up activities, and the efforts led by Ramya in Puducherry, where youth are working to keep beaches clean.
PM Modi also highlighted the success of the ‘Waste to Wealth’ mantra, sharing the story of Subramanian from Kozhikode, Kerala, who repaired over 23,000 chairs, embodying the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (RRR). His work in the government offices of Kozhikode is seen as a significant contribution to the Swachh Bharat movement.
PM Modi took a moment to reflect on the successful return of around 300 ancient artefacts from the United States during his recent visit. These artefacts, made of terracotta, stone, ivory, wood, copper, and bronze, include objects as old as 4,000 years, with some dating to the 19th century. The collection includes statues of Jain Tirthankaras, Bhagwan Buddha, and Bhagwan Krishna, along with bronze idols of Bhagwan Ganesh from Southern India.
He reiterated the importance of preserving India’s heritage and expressed pride in the country’s efforts to recover stolen artefacts. “When we are proud of our heritage, the world also respects it,” PM Modi remarked, emphasising India’s ongoing collaborations with other countries to return artefacts taken illegally.
The Prime Minister also shed light on the efforts to preserve indigenous languages, citing the example of Ramjeet Tudu from Odisha. Ramjeet, through his digital platform, has promoted the Santhali language, enabling people to read and write in Santhali using its traditional script, ‘Ol Chiki.’ This initiative is a crucial step toward preserving the linguistic heritage of the Santhal tribal community, which is spoken across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
PM Modi shared the success of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, a tree plantation drive that has seen record-breaking participation in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Telangana. The campaign resulted in over 26 crore saplings being planted in Uttar Pradesh alone, with Gujarat planting more than 15 crore, and Rajasthan over 6 crore saplings in August 2024.
He singled out individuals like K N Rajasekhar from Telangana, who has been planting a tree every day for the past four years. Despite facing personal adversity, Rajasekhar continued his mission, planting over 1,500 trees so far.
In Tamil Nadu, PM Modi highlighted the inspiring work of Subhashri, a teacher from Madurai who has created a unique herbal garden with over 500 rare medicinal plants. Subhashri’s passion for herbal medicine began in the 1980s when traditional herbs helped her father recover from a snake bite. Her herbal garden has become a resource for the local community, providing vital medicinal knowledge and promoting traditional healing practices.
Towards the end of his address, PM Modi spoke about emerging sectors like gaming, animation, and film making, which are offering new opportunities for the youth. He encouraged creative talents across the country to participate in the government’s ‘Create in India’ initiative, which offers 25 challenges under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. These challenges are designed to promote creativity in areas like music, education, and anti-piracy.
Finally, PM Modi celebrated the success of the ‘Make in India’ campaign, which has completed 10 years. He pointed to the rise in manufacturing across various sectors such as textiles, automobiles, electronics, and defence, with exports steadily increasing. He reiterated the importance of focusing on “Quality” and “Vocal for Local,” citing examples like the Bhandara Tussar Silk Handloom tradition in Maharashtra, where Self-Help Groups, particularly women, are preserving and promoting traditional silk weaving.
In conclusion, PM Modi expressed his joy in connecting with the people through ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and invited them to send their thoughts and suggestions for future episodes. As the festival season approaches with Navratri, he extended his best wishes to all citizens, urging them to celebrate with family and loved ones while embracing the spirit of unity and joy.
