PM Modi praises India for meeting its $400 billion export target in ‘Mann ki Baat.’

*Paromita Das

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride today in the achievement of India’s 400 billion dollar export target.

Modi told the people on All India Radio’s Mann Ki Baat programme that Made in India products are now reaching new markets in every corner of the world. He stated that when Indians become Vocal for Local, Local becomes Global. He urged people to make the local ‘global,’ thereby increasing the prestige of Indian products.

According to the Prime Minister, global demand for Indian-made goods is increasing. According to him, it also indicates that India’s supply chain is strengthening.
He emphasized the increasing exports of leather products from Hailakandi in Assam; handloom products from Osmanabad; fruits and vegetables from Bijapur, and black rice from Chandauli. The world-famous Ladakh apricot has arrived in Dubai, and bananas are being shipped from Tamil Nadu to Saudi Arabia.

Denmark received the first shipment of millets grown in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Banganapalli and Subarnarekha mangoes from Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna and Chittoor districts are being exported to South Korea. Fresh jackfruits from Tripura were flown to London, and for the first time, King Chilli from Nagaland was sent there. Similarly, Gujarat’s first consignment of Bhalia wheat was exported to Kenya and Sri Lanka.
According to the Prime Minister, Made in India products are now more visible in foreign countries than ever before.

Mr. Modi stated that India’s potential in this field is enormous, and that farmers, artisans, weavers, engineers, small entrepreneurs, and the MSME sector are its true strength. He went on to say that it is only because of their efforts that the goal of exporting 400 billion dollars has been met.

The Prime Minister also stated that small businesses are playing an important role in government procurement through the Government e-Marketplace – GeM. He went on to say that technology has enabled the development of a more transparent system. The government has spent more than one lakh crore rupees on items through the GeM portal in the last year.

Approximately 1.25 lakh small entrepreneurs and small shopkeepers from all over the country have sold their goods directly to the government. Mr. Modi stated that there was a time when only large corporations could sell goods to the government, but that is no longer the case. According to him, even the smallest of shopkeepers can now sell their wares to the government via the GeM Portal. He stated that New India not only dreams big, but also has the courage to achieve those dreams.

Baba Sivanand, a Padmashree awardee, was mentioned by the Prime Minister. Everyone was taken aback by 126-year-old Baba Sivanand’s agility at the Padma Awards, he said.
He stated that Baba Sivanand’s 126-year-old age and fitness are currently being debated in the country. Mr. Modi stated that Baba Sivanand’s life is an inspiration to all people to live a healthy lifestyle.

Mr. Modi stated that World Health Day will be observed on April 7th. He emphasized that collective Indian health thought, whether Yoga or Ayurveda, is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Last week, a Yoga programme was held in Qatar, and citizens from 114 countries took part, setting a new world record.

He claims that the Ayush Industry’s market is expanding. Mr. Modi stated that six years ago, the market for Ayurvedic medicines was approximately 22 thousand crores.
The Ayush Manufacturing Industry is now worth approximately one lakh forty thousand crore rupees. He went on to say that AYUSH is becoming a hot topic in the startup world as well.

The Prime Minister mentioned several Ayush Start-Ups. He mentioned a company called Kapiva. This Start-Up is based on Indian traditions of healthy eating habits. Another such Start-Up mentioned by the Prime Minister is Nirog-Street, which is a novel concept in the Ayurveda Healthcare Ecosystem. Its technology-driven platform connects Ayurveda Doctors from all over the world to people directly.

It is associated with over 50,000 practitioners.

He also mentioned Atreya Innovations, a healthcare technology start-up specializing in Holistic Wellness. He stated that Ixoreal has raised awareness about the use of Ashwagandha, and Cureveda has developed dietary supplements for a holistic lifestyle by combining modern herbal research and traditional knowledge.

Mr. Modi stated that such start-ups are a symbol of India’s young entrepreneurs and the new opportunities being created in the country. He requested that Health Sector Start-Ups, particularly Ayush Start-Ups, try to make the content on their portal available in all United Nations-recognized languages. He expressed confidence that Ayush Start-Ups from India will rule the world with higher-quality products.

Mr. Modi used the example of Chandrakishore Patil, who lives in Nashik, Maharashtra, to discuss cleanliness. Chandrakishore stands by the Godavari River and constantly reminds people not to throw trash into it. Rahul Maharana of Puri, Odisha, was mentioned by the Prime Minister. Every Sunday, Rahul goes to pilgrimage sites in Puri early in the morning to clean up the plastic garbage.

The Prime Minister also cited Mupattam Sri Narayanan of Kerala as an example of someone who has started a project called Pots for Water of Life. He is running a campaign to distribute earthen pots so that animals and birds do not face water problems during the summer.

Mr Modi stated that the number of utensils distributed by Narayanan will surpass one lakh, and that the 100,000th pot will be donated to Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram. He stated that this definitely inspires people to make water arrangements for animals and birds this summer.

The Prime Minister addressed the issue of water conservation. He urged people to make a commitment to save every drop of water. He believes that water recycling should be prioritized. Rahimdas was quoted by the Prime Minister, who said, “Rahimaan paani raakhiye, bin paani sab soon.” He was overjoyed that so many people have made water conservation a life mission.
He mentioned Arun Krishnamurthy of Chennai, who is organizing a campaign to clean up the ponds and lakes in his community. He also mentioned Rohan Kale of Maharashtra, who is spearheading a campaign to save hundreds of step wells in the state.

Many of these wells date back centuries and are considered part of India’s heritage. Mr Modi stated that he is from a state where water has always been scarce. In Gujarat, he emphasized the Vav step-wells. He stated that Vav has played a significant role in a state like Gujarat.

He stated that the Jal Mandir Scheme played an important role in the protection of these wells or step wells, and that several step wells were revitalised throughout Gujarat.
This also contributed significantly to raising the water level in these areas.

Similar campaigns, according to Mr. Modi, could be carried out at the local level. In the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, he claims that at least 75 Amrit Sarovars can be made in each district of the country. He claims that some old lakes can be revitalised and new ones can be dug. He expressed hope that individual and collective efforts will be made in this direction.

The Prime Minister mentioned the Madhavpur Mela, which takes place in the village of Madhavpur near the sea in Porbandar, Gujarat. Lord Krishna is said to have married Rukmani, a princess from the North East, in Madhavpur thousands of years ago.
He stated that the Madhavpur fair is still held today as a symbol of that marriage. Mr. Modi emphasized that India’s heritage is its deep relationship with the East and West. Mr Modi went on to say that the bride’s side is known as Gharati, and that many Gharaatis from the North East have begun to attend this fair. The Madhavpur Fair, which lasts a week, attracts artists from all over the North East. Mr Modi went on to say that the Madhavpur fair is a beautiful example of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.

According to the Prime Minister, the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is now setting a new standard for public participation. On Martyrs Day, March 23rd, many celebrations were held in various parts of the country.
On the same day, Mr Modi was given the honour of dedicating the Biplobi Bharat Gallery at the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata to the nation. He stated that the birthdays of two notable people would be commemorated in April.

These great individuals are Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The nation will commemorate Mahatma Phule’s birth anniversary on April 11th and Babasaheb’s birth anniversary on April 14th. Mr. Modi stated that both of these great individuals fought tirelessly against discrimination and inequality. In that era, Mahatma Phule established girls’ schools and spoke out against female infanticide. To address the water crisis, he also launched massive water conservation campaigns.
The Prime Minister encouraged people to be inspired by the lives of Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. He urged all parents and guardians to ensure their daughters’ education. He stated that the Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav was launched a few days ago in order to increase the enrollment of daughters in schools.

The emphasis is on returning those girls to school who had to drop out for various reasons. He urged Mann Ki Baat listeners to visit the locations.

Associated with Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar in order to be inspired by their lives
Mr. Modi stated that many festivals are approaching, including Navratri, which is only a few days away. He stated that the Gudi Padwa festival is observed on the first day of Navratri. He added that Easter is also in April and that Ramadan will begin soon. He hoped that the diversity of India would be strengthened as a result of these festivals.