Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 134th Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday, urged citizens to take necessary precautions against the ongoing heatwave. He also spoke about achievements in athletics, return of Chola era artefacts from Netherlands, and community-led social initiatives.
He said: “The weather is very hot in most parts of the country now. Strong sun and hot winds. It is very important to take care of yourself in such weather.” He advised people to stay hydrated and follow the guidelines issued by the government.
Prime Minister Modi also spoke about traditional summer drinks like aam panna, lassi, yoghurt, sattu sherbet, kokum sherbet and sol kadhi, describing them as products of local tradition and generations of experience.
His remarks come days after he chaired a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday where ministers discussed measures to address the heatwave situation across the country.
Modi then congratulated the athletes who set national records during the National Senior Athletics Federation competition in Ranchi. The spotlight was on the men’s 100 metres, where the national record was broken three times in two days by runners Gurinder Vir Singh and Animesh Kujur.
During a conversation with the athletes, both spoke about overcoming doubts about the Indians’ ability to compete at the highest level in sprint racing.
Read also:Mann ki Baat: Prime Minister Modi lauds the conservation of the great Indian bustard
He also discussed his recent visit to the Netherlands, where 24 Chola-era copper plates were officially returned to India. He said the artefacts, consisting of 21 large copper plates and three small copper plates, had generated excitement among Indians and the global Tamil community.
He also highlighted the recent archaeological discovery in Malhar, Chhattisgarh, where three ancient copper plates believed to be 1,400-1,500 years old were found under the Gyan Bharatam Abhiyan.
On conservation, Modi praised the recent rescue operation in Uttar Pradesh, in which a Ganges dolphin trapped in the canal was rescued after a 13-hour effort. He highlighted the role of India’s first Gangetic dolphin rescue ambulance, which was developed under the Namami Gange programme.
He also spoke about community efforts to restore the Manorama River in Uttar Pradesh and improve water access in parts of Goa.
He paid tribute to Guru Girija Amma from Tamil Nadu, around whom the network of schools had grown $40 lakhs for soldiers through small student contributions.
Going back to summer, he talked about mango season in India, describing mangoes as a topic that is discussed in almost every Indian household during the summer months.
“Each region… has its own mango, its own flavour, and its own aroma,” he said. “As the place changes, the shape, color and taste of the mango also changes,” he said.
He also praised mango farmers and said that Indian mangoes were increasingly reaching global markets. “You are not just ordinary farmers… you are very special for the country’s agricultural economy,” he said.
Modi finally urged citizens to recognize and support people working for social causes, saying such efforts show that “the country is moving forward with the strength of its people.”
