PM Modi’s Mann ki Baat address: Women empowerment, achievers take centre stage

He mentioned the achievements of Flying Officers Bhavna Kanth, Mohana Singh, and Avani Chaturvedi, who became the first women to be commissioned as fighter pilots. He also mentioned the all-women crew of INS Tarini which is on an expedition to circumnavigate the globe.

PM Modi also Remembered NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, whose death anniversary falls on February 1. “Country lost Kalpana Chawla at a young age but her life is an example for the entire world, especially for thousands of Indian women,” he said.

READ | Mann Ki Baat Highlights

Saying that “a daughter is equal to 10 men,” PM Modi expressed that the contribution of women is immense in our society and our lives.

Earlier, the PM had invited people to pitch ideas for today’s programme. Talking about a picture shared by Mangesh from Maharashtra, Modi highlighted a cleanliness campaign led by people in Akola saw the participation of over 6,000 people and 100 NGOs to clean river Morena.

PM @narendramodi speaks about Mangesh from Maharashtra, who shared a photograph of an elderly person and a young child taking part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on the Narendra Modi App. #MannKiBaat https://t.co/Xnb3n4lEoJ pic.twitter.com/umFliN5OIq

— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) January 28, 2018

The government recently announced the names of winners of this year’s Padma awards; congratulating the winners, PM Modi shed light on how the change of norms in nominating people for the awards has helped to recognise those who have been tirelessly working for a better society, away from the spotlight.

PM Modi mentioned some of the awardees who have devoted their entire life to public service. He also congratulated the people of Bihar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for forming a 13,000 km long human chain. Modi said, “In our country, there have been unending initiatives against social ills and evil practices, both individually and collectively. In order to uproot social ills in Bihar, world’s longest human chain spanning over 13,000 kilometers was formed.”

As India observes Martyr’s Day on Tuesday, PM Modi concluded his address by remembering the father of the nation in his monthly broadcast.  He said, “The path shown by Mahatma Gandhi is relevant even today, and if we pledge to walk on that path there can be a no bigger tribute to Gandhi Ji.”