Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used his monthly Mann Ki Baat address to highlight India’s growing defense capabilities, achievements of Indian students in the International Science Olympiad, and community-led environmental conservation efforts, while urging citizens to support local produce, plant trees and participate in the Har Ghar Teranga campaign ahead of Independence Day.
In the 136th episode of the radio programme, aired on Kargil Vijay Diwas channel, Modi began by paying tribute to the soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil war and said the country is not only honoring their sacrifices but also strengthening its military capabilities through indigenous technology.
Referring to the induction of the ship INS Mahendragiri into the Indian Navy, and the successful tests of the Pinaka long-range guided missile and the Kusha missile system by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Modi said India is moving steadily towards self-reliance in defence.
“Be it defense production, defense exports or cooperation with friendly countries, India is constantly scaling new heights,” he said, adding that the agreements related to BrahMos and Astra missiles signed during his recent visit to Indonesia reflect the growing global confidence in Indian defense technology.
Regarding education and science, Modi congratulated Indian students for their performance in the International Olympic Games, terming it a matter of national pride.
Referring to the four International Olympiads held this month – in Paris (physics), Dubai (chemistry), Quezon City, Philippines (biology) and Shanghai (mathematics), Modi noted that India topped the Physics Olympiad with all five participants winning gold medals, had its best ever performance in Chemistry where all students won gold, won medals for all participants in biology, including one gold, and bagged two gold medals. And four silver medals in mathematics.
“I am extremely proud of the youth power of the country. It is encouraging to see the Olympiad and hackathon culture growing exponentially in India,” Modi said, expressing confidence in more students participating in such competitions.
Prime Minister Modi also hailed the successful launch of the Vikram-1 rocket, the first rocket developed by the private sector in India, and termed it as evidence of the opportunities that have arisen after opening up the space sector for private sector participation. Vikram-1 was manufactured by Skyroot Aerospace and was successfully launched on July 18 from Sriharikota.
“For a long time, our space sector has been closed to the private sector… and today the world is witnessing the results,” he said, crediting young innovators with this achievement.
Noting that the death anniversary of former President APJ Abdul Kalam falls on Monday and Guru Purnima will be celebrated later this week, Prime Minister Modi described Kalam as a teacher at heart and lauded teachers across the country for shaping future generations.
Environment and conservation formed another major theme of the speech.
Reviewing the ongoing ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, Modi said communities across the country are working to revive ponds, wells and wells, clear water bodies and improve groundwater recharge through public participation.
He cited examples from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, where local bodies and residents have undertaken rainwater conservation work. “Every drop saved today is the greatest asset for future generations,” he said.
Modi also highlighted the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, noting that more than 350,000 saplings were planted in one hour in Ahmedabad by more than 25,000 people, an effort that entered the Guinness Book of World Records. He also noted that Uttar Pradesh planted more than 350 million saplings in a single day earlier this month.
Modi urged people to associate important milestones in their lives with planting trees, saying it would leave behind a legacy of greenery and clean air.
He also spoke about the return of the Indian Gray Hornbill to the Gir forests of Gujarat after nearly six decades, describing it as a result of sustained conservation efforts, and described the bird as a “forest farmer” because of its seed-dispersing role.
The Prime Minister also reviewed several grassroots initiatives promoting sustainability and local projects, including the revival of traditional Vagu mats in Kashmir, herbal tea produced by a women’s self-help group in Uttar Pradesh, and chairs made of single-use recycled plastic in Bihar under the Waste to Wealth initiative.
Ahead of National Handloom Day on August 7, Modi appealed to citizens to support handloom, khadi and handicraft products, saying they preserve India’s cultural heritage while providing livelihood to artisans.
He concluded his speech by urging citizens to enthusiastically participate in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign ahead of Independence Day and called for suggestions for this year’s celebrations through the MyGov platform.
