PM Modi Highlights Innovation and Youth in Mann Ki Baat
PM calls for drug-free India, women’s empowerment, cleanliness and ‘Vocal for Local’
- Modi highlights a Mumbai engineer’s digital initiative to make Indian history accessible.
- PM urges youth and creators to support the Nasha-Mukt Yuva campaign.
- He highlights women entrepreneurs supported by PM SVANidhi.
- Modi showcases grassroots work in cleanliness, farming, conservation and space education.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Aug: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 137th episode of Mann Ki Baat on August 30, highlighted grassroots innovation and community-led initiatives across India, while calling for greater participation in nation-building.
Modi began the programme by speaking about Krishna Seshadri, a Mumbai-based engineer and marketing professional who created Bharat Rajya, a website aimed at making Indian history more engaging through technology.
During their conversation, Seshadri said the platform features information on different Indian kingdoms and dynasties and allows users to submit corrections and suggestions. Modi praised the collaborative approach and encouraged citizens to share similar initiatives.
The Prime Minister also called for stronger public participation in the Nasha-Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign. He urged young people, musicians, students, theatre groups and content creators to use creative formats and multiple languages to spread awareness about drug addiction and recovery.
Women entrepreneurs highlighted
Modi highlighted the role of PM SVANidhi in supporting women street vendors. He said women constitute around 46 per cent of the scheme’s beneficiaries, amounting to about 35 lakh women.
He cited the examples of Babita Sharma from Ghaziabad, who expanded her shop selling religious items, and T. S. Ningamma from Bengaluru, who used financial assistance to expand her food business and improve her family’s financial position.
Cleanliness and conservation
The Prime Minister highlighted the work of youths Akash and Rohan in Patwai village of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. Their Clean-up Patwai initiative has cleaned four Ganga ghats and removed more than one tonne of plastic waste.
He also praised cleanliness efforts during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, where more than 400 metric tonnes of waste were collected and processed. More than 16,000 pilgrims took a cleanliness pledge and over 10,000 received the Responsible Yatri certificate.
Modi also highlighted women-led forest conservation efforts in Odisha’s Debrigarh region, where more than 60 women are engaged in wildlife protection, grassland development and eco-tourism.
Girls and space technology
The Prime Minister highlighted Mission ShaktiSAT, through which 12,000 girls from 108 countries are being given opportunities to learn satellite technology.
He said preparations are underway for a satellite developed with the participation of female students to be placed in lunar orbit. The second phase of the initiative was launched at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida.
Modi also highlighted farmers adopting avocado cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, saying the crop is opening new avenues for agricultural income.
Ahead of the birth centenary of legendary actor Uttam Kumar, Modi paid tribute to his contribution to Indian cinema, perseverance and philanthropy.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging citizens to embrace Vocal for Local ahead of the festive season and purchase products made in India. He also invited people to share stories of individuals creating positive change through Mann Ki Baat.
