‘Mann Ki Baat’ returns: PM Modi thanks people for ‘unwavering faith in Constitution’, wishes athletes ahead of Paris Olympics

PM Modi wished the very best to Indian athletes participating in the upcoming Paris Olympics and said that “memories of the Tokyo Olympics are still fresh in our minds”. He urged the people to encourage them with the hashtag ‘Cheer4Bharat’.

Modi pointed out that the Kuwait government started a special Hindi programme on its national radio every Sunday and thanked it “for taking this wonderful initiative.”

On the occasion of ‘Hul Diwas’ (June 30) in Jharkhand, marking the anniversary of the 1855 Santal rebellion, PM Modi conveyed his wishes and said it was a significant day which witnessed the bravery of the Santali tribe in the freedom struggle. He recalled how in 1855, two years before India’s first War of Independence, tribals in Santhal Pargana of Jharkhand took up arms against the foreign rulers.

“The British committed many atrocities on our Santhal brothers and sisters, and also imposed many types of restrictions on them. Veer Sidhu and Kanhu attained martyrdom while displaying amazing bravery in this struggle… The supreme sacrifice of these immortal sons of the land of Jharkhand inspires the countrymen even today,” said PM Modi.

He also touched upon the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign launched by the Centre on World Environment Day this year. “In the lives of all of us, the mother holds the highest stature. A mother nurtures her child even after undergoing all kinds of hardships. Every mother showers limitless affection to her child. This love of the mother who has given birth is like a debt on all of us, which no one can repay. I was thinking, we can’t give anything to our mother, but can we do something else,” said Modi. He said he called upon people the world over to plant a tree along with their mothers or in their names, and he himself planted a tree in his mother’s name.

He said he is happy to see the campaign progressing rapidly. “On social media, People are sharing pictures of planting trees with their mothers or with their photographs. Everyone is planting trees for one’s mother – whether one is rich or poor or a working woman or a homemaker. This campaign has provided all of us with an equal opportunity to express affection towards mothers,” he said. He added that the campaign “will not only honour our mother, but will also protect Mother Earth”.

PM Modi said that during the last decade, there has been an unprecedented expansion of forest area in India through collective efforts. “During the Amrit Mahotsav, more than 60,000 Amrit Sarovars were created nationwide. Now we have to lend speed to the campaign of planting trees in the name of mother,” he said.

Modi also lauded the efforts of the women’s collective Vattalakki Cooperative Farming Society, under whose supervision tribal women in Kerala’a Attappadi are making umbrellas under the brand ‘Karthumbhi Umbrella’. “Today, the demand for these umbrellas is rising across the country. They are also being sold online,” he said.

He mentioned that Turkmenistan celebrated the 300th birth anniversary of its national poet in May this year. On this occasion, the country unveiled statues of 24 famous poets from around the world, including one of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. “This is an honour for Gurudev, an honour for India,” said PM Modi.

‘Mann Ki Baat’ took a break in line with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines of the Election Commission which asks governments not to use official events or public-funded platforms in a way that gives the ruling party publicity or any electoral advantage. Lok Sabha elections 2024 were held between April 19 and June 1.

Modi said, “Though the program may have been paused for a few months, the spirit of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in the country and society, touching upon the good work done every day, work done with selfless spirit, work having a positive impact on the society, carried on relentlessly.”

He added, “Amidst the news of the elections, you certainly would have noticed such news that touched the heart.”

Modi said, “From February until now, whenever the last Sunday of the month came, I would miss this dialogue with you a lot. But I was also very glad to see that in all these months, you sent me lakhs of messages.”

Other highlights from PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’

📌 Referring to the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations across the country earlier this month, PM Modi said: “As Yoga Day celebrations are being carried forward, newer records are being every year.” This year, he led the celebrations by participating in a yoga day event in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar.

📌 Highlighting that many Indian products are in great demand across the globe, PM Modi mentioned Araku coffee from Andhra Pradesh and snow peas from Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. “When we see a local product of India going global, it is natural to feel proud. One such product is Araku coffee of Andhra Pradesh,” he said. Cultivated widely in the state’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district, the Araku variety is known for its rich flavour and aroma. He also mentioned Girijan cooperative which is said to have played a major role in its worldwide reach.

📌 “What Jammu and Kashmir has achieved last month is an example for people across the country,” Modi said, talking about the first consignment of snow peas which was sent to London from Pulwama. He credited the first step towards this initiative to Abdul Rashid Mir of Chakura village.

📌 He also spoke about All India Radio’s Sanskrit Bulletin which completed 50 years of its broadcast on Sunday. “The Sanskrit Bulletin of Aakashvani is completing 50 years of its broadcast today. For 50 years, this bulletin has kept so many people connected to Sanskrit,” Modi said in his 30-minute broadcast.

📌 PM Modi spoke about the weekly sessions of Sanskrit weekend held in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park. He praised the effort of Samashti Gubbi who began this intiative recently via a website. “In Cubbon Park, children, youth and the elderly meet to converse in Sanskrit. It also includes discussions and debates on a variety of topics,” he said.