In Mann Ki Baat, PM thanks people for participating in ‘biggest election’
PM Modi thanked citizens for faith in the constitution, praised Election Commission for smooth elections. Encouraged support for Indian athletes, urged tree planting, paid tribute to tribal freedom fighters.
Mentioned increasing demand for Indian products globally. Acknowledged milestones of All India Radio and thanked Kuwait for Hindi radio show. Celebrated achievements of Indian diaspora worldwide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked citizens for reiterating their “unwavering faith” in the constitution and congratulated the Election Commission of India for smooth conduct of the recently concluded general elections, in the 111th episode of his monthly “Mann ki Baat” broadcast that was also the first one after he assumed office for a third consecutive term.
The flagship radio programme resumed on Sunday after a three-month pause in compliance with the Model Code of Conduct enforced before the 18th Lok Sabha elections. The last episode aired on February 24.
“Today I also thank the countrymen for having reiterated their unwavering faith in our Constitution and the democratic systems of the country. The 2024 elections were the biggest elections in the world. An election as big as this, in which 65 crore people cast their votes, has never taken place in any other country in the world. For this, I congratulate the Election Commission and everyone involved in the voting process,” Modi said.
The PM 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”.
Urging people to join the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” afforestation initiative launched on the World Environment Day, the PM recalled how he planted a tree in memory of his mother.
“I am immensely happy to see that the campaign to plant trees in memory of the mother or in her honour is progressing rapidly.On social media, people are sharing pictures of planting trees with their mothers or with their photographs,” he said, adding that the campaign will help protect “Mother Earth”.
Modi further paid rich tributes to tribal freedom fighters Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu on “Hul Diwas”, observed on June 30 to mark the indomitable courage of Sidhu and Kanhu who led the Santhal uprising against British rule in 1855.
“Bravehearts Sidhu and Kanhu united thousands of Santhal compatriots and fought the British with all their might. … in 1855. Then, in Santhal Pargana of Jharkhand, our tribal brothers and sisters took up arms against the foreign rulers,” the PM said, as he played a Santhali song dedicated to Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu.
Hailing the increasing demand for Indian products across the world, Modi mentioned three products from different parts of the country — Karthumbhi umbrellas from Attappady in Kerala; Araku coffee from Alluri Sita Rama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh; and snow peas of Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir.
Karathumbhi umbrellas, he said, are made by tribal women in Kerala under the supervision of the Vattalakki Cooperative Farming Society. “Karthumbi umbrellas have completed their journey from a small village in Kerala to multinational companies. What could be a better example than this of being vocal for local?”