In year’s first Mann Ki Baat, Modi rues R-day violence, says India attained atmanirbharta during coronavirus crisis, ensures vaccine for all citizens
Giving his first radio talk of the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday referred to the violence at the farmers’ tractor rally on January 26 saying
“India was saddened by the insult to Tricolour on Republic Day”. He also emphasised that the country developed “atmanirbharta” during the coronavirus crisis and ensured vaccine for each of its citizen.
Delivering his monthly talk Mann Ki Baat, the PM said a major shift occurred in people’s perspective in the last year and a lot of customers now are demanding “Made In India” products. “India today is self-reliant in the field of medicines and vaccines,” he said.
People, he said, have shown their support for “Vocal for Local” and urged manufacturers and industry leaders to make world-class products.
He said in 15 days, as many as 30 lakh corona warriors have been vaccinated in India. Developed countries like the US and the UK finished the same task in 18 and 36 days, respectively, he maintained.
Modi said India is the fastest in vaccinating its citizens and is setting an example for the entire world. “India’s vaccination programme is turning out to be exemplary to the world. We are vaccinating our citizens faster than anywhere in the world. In 15 days, India vaccinated 30 lakh corona warriors whereas it took America 18 days and Britain 36 days to achieve the same feat,” he said.
Referring to the violence on January 26 in the national Capital, the PM said, “The country was saddened by the insult to the Tricolour on January 26 in Delhi.”
Talking about strides made by women in different fields of activities, the PM said, “You must have witnessed a few days ago, that four women pilots from India took command of a non-stop flight from San Francisco, America to Bangalore. You must have also observed this time in the January 26 parade, where two women officers of the Indian Air Force created a new history. Whatever be the area, the participation of women of the country is continuously on the rise.” In his address, Modi pointed to a number of do-gooders in the country contributing in their own way to the environmental protection and other causes.
He gave the example of an elderly man at Kottayam in Kerala cleaning lake-waters daily despite his advanced age, people in Arunachal Pradesh making artificial paper using long-forgotten technique or art and thus saving trees or vegetable vendors in a “mandi” in Hyderabad making bio-fuel from the vegetable leftovers.
Modi described India’s win in cricket test match this month in Australia as historic. Calling the victory inspirational, he said, “This month, there has been very good news from the cricket pitch too. Our cricket team, after initial setbacks made a grand comeback, winning the series in Australia. The hard work and teamwork of our players is inspirational.”
The PM said this year, India is going to commence the celebration of 75 years of her Independence — Amrit Mahotsav. “This is an excellent time to explore places associated with those heroes on account of whom we attained freedom,” he said.
Modi said the Government was starting an initiative for young writers called “India@75”. He said, “This will encourage young writers of all States and of all languages. You can learn more about this initiative on the Ministry of Education website.”
Besides, the PM, in his morning talk, also stressed the need to observe road safety and the curtailing road accidents.
“From January 18 to February 17 we are observing ‘Road Safety Month’. We should become active stakeholders to reduce road accidents and save lives. The goals with which we started 2021, we all have to work to fulfil them together,” he said.
Monday, 01 February 2021 | Deepak Upreti | New Delhi
