PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat: He spoke about bird watching and cherry blossoms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi adressed the country through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat today and spoke on a number of issues including the new farm bills. Saying that the new farm laws "have opened the doors of opportunity" for the Indian farmers, PM Modi added that all demands earlier promised by parties have been met. He also spoke about Guru Nanak Dev, Sri Aurobindo and the Bird Man of India, Dr Salim Ali. He spoke of digitisation of museums and the advancement of technology in culture.
Here are the Highlights of PM Modi's Mann ki Baat:
PM Modi on Sri Aurobindo- My dear countrymen, the 5th December is the death anniversary of Sri Aurobindo. The more we read Sri Aurobindo, greater is the insight that we get. The more my young friends learn about Sri Aurobindo, greater will they learn about themselves, enriching themselves.
- Just as at present when we are moving forward with the campaign 'Vocal for Local', Sri Aurobindo's philosophy of Swadeshi shows us the path.
- He alsoused to say that Swadeshi means that we give priority to the things made by our Indian workers and artisans.
- Shri Aurobindo's views on education were very lucid. He did not consider education to be limited only to bookish knowledge, degree and job. Sri Aurobindo used to say that our national education should focus on training of the hearts and minds of our younger generation, that is, scientific development of the mind and Indian ethos residein the heart should also be there, then only a young person can become a better citizen of the country.
- Whatever Shri Aurobindo said about national education and expected then, the country is now achieving it through the new National Education Policy.
PM Modi on colleges and alumni- Through technology I was able to connect with students of IIT- Guwahati, IIT-Delhi, Deendayal Petroleum University of Gandhinagar, JNU of Delhi, Mysore University and Lucknow University.
- To be amongst the youth of the country is extremely refreshing and energizing. University campuses in a way are like Mini India. In these campuses on the one hand we see the diversity of India; on the other we also find great passion for changes for a New India.
- Before Corona when I used to go for a face to face event at any institution, I would urge that poor students from nearby schools to be invited to the function. Those children have been attending the functions as my special guests.
- I am always interested in knowing who the alumni of the institution are, what the arrangements by the institution for regular engagement with its alumni are,how vibrant their alumni network is.
- My young friends, you are a student of an institution only till you study there, but you remain an alumni of that institution lifelong.
- After leaving school or college, two things never end - one, the influence of your education, and second, your bonding with your school or college.
- What can bring greater happiness than to lend a hand in development of the place where your personality was moulded?
- When it comes to returning something, nothing can be deemed big or small. Even the smallest help matters. Every effort is important. Often, alumni play a very important role in technology upgradation of their institutions, in construction of buildings, in initiating awards and scholarships and in starting programs for skill development.
- A strong vibrant and active alumni network is needed not only in big Colleges and Universities but also in schools of our villages.
PM Modi on farmers on Mann Ki Baat- The new farm laws have opened the doors of opportunity for the Indian farmers.
- The demands that farmers made over the years, which every government had only promised to meet so far, have finally been met.
- The Indian government has given shape to the laws after much deliberation. Most of the constraints of the farmers have been ended, they have been given new rights and new opportunities.
- My dear countrymen, new dimensions are being added to agriculture and its related activities in India.
- The agricultural reforms in the past few days have also now opened new doors of possibilities for our farmers. The demands that have been made by farmers for years, that every political party, at some point or the other made the promise to fulfill, those demands have been met.
- After a lot of deliberation, the Parliament of India gave a legal formto the agricultural reforms. These reforms have not only served to unshackle our farmers but also given them new rights and opportunities.
- In just a short span of time, these new rights have begun to ameliorate the woes of our farmers.
- Under this law, it was decided that all dues of the farmers should be cleared within three days of procurement, failing which, the farmer can lodge a complaint.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat- India's culture and scriptures have always been the world's centre of attraction.
- Many people came to India in search of them and stayed here for life while many returned to their countries as cultural ambassadors of India.
- I got to know about the works of Jonas Masetti, also known as 'Vishvanath'. Jonas teaches Vedanta, Bhagvad Gita in Brazil. He runs an organization called Vishvavidya, located in Petropolis, about an hour's drive from Rio De Janeiro. After completing his mechanical engineering degree, Jonas worked for a stock market company, later he was attracted towards India's culture, especially towards Vedanta.
- From market to meditation, stocks to spirituality it has been a long journey for him. Jonas studied Vedanta in India and spent 4 years in a Gurukulam in Coimbatore. Jonas also uses technology to carry forward his message. He conducts online programs, podcasts regularly
In the last 7 years, Jonas has taught over 1.5 lakh students through his free open courses. He is doing significant work in a language which is quite prevalent.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat on Langars- Opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor in November last year was historic.
- The legacy of langars of feeding needy people had continued through the coronavirus by Sikh communities.
- Influence of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is distinctly visible all over the world.
- It was Guru Nanak Dev Ji who started the tradition of Langar and the Sikh community all over the world continued the tradition of feeding people during this period of coronavirus.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat on New Zealand MP
Newly elected MP in New Zealand Dr. Gaurav Sharma took the Oath of office in one of the ancient languages of the world - Sanskrit. The dissemination of Indian culture on part of an Indian fills us with pride. Through the medium of Mann Ki Baat, I extend best wishes to Gaurav Sharma ji. All of us wish he attains newer achievements in the service of the people of New Zealand.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat speaks on bird watching- The 125th birth anniversary of Dr Salim Ali was on 12th November.
- Dr Salim Ali did pioneering work in the field of bird watching.
- He attracted attention of bird watchers towards India and always admired people with hobby of bird-watching.
- With immense patience they watch birds for long hours and share their knowledge with us.
- There are several bird watching societies active in India as well. You must associate with this subject too.
- Recently from my busy schedule, I got to spend some memorable moments with birds in Kevadia.
- Time spent with birds will bring you close to nature and also encourage you to work for the environment.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat speaks on digitisation of Ajanta Caves- While it is important to take our cultural heritage to people through technology, technology should be used well also in conservation of our heritage.
- North of Norway in an island called Svalbard, a project named Arctic world archive in which valuable heritage data is preserved so that it is not affected by any natural or man-made disaster
- Recently it has been informed that digitized form of Ajanta caves is also being preserved in this archive. One can have complete glimpse of Ajanta caves here.
- This will include digitized and restored paintings as well as related documents and quotes.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat
We are strengthening cultural bonds in the time of the global pandemic.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat- Pandemic has changed the way we do things, also gave us an opportunity to experience nature in a different way.
- Our attitude towards nature has changed.
- As we advance towards winters, we will get to see different colors of nature.
- From the past few days, pictures of cherry blossoms have been viral on social media. These viral pictures are not from Japan, but from Shillong in Meghalaya.
PM Modi on Mann ki Baat speaks on digitisation of museums- Despite coronavirus pandemic, we saw people celebrating Heritage week in an innovative manner.
- Culture is of great use in times of crisis. It plays an important role in overcoming it. Through technology, culture acts like an emotional recharge.
- Today several museums and libraries are working on digitization of their collections.
- New Delhi's National museum has done commendable work in this area
- it is working on a project to introduce 10 virtual galleries. Now you can visit the museum sitting at home.
Mann ki Baat: PM Modi on Annapurna idol being brought back from Canada- Every Indian will be proud to know that a very old idol of Devi Annapurna is returning to India from Canada. This idol was stolen from a temple of Varanasi and smuggled out of the country around 100 years ago.
- I thank Canada government for making this possible. Mata Annapurna has deep relations with Kashi. The return of her idol brings us joy.
- Just like this idol, many of our other historical treasures have been targeted by international gangs. These gangs sell them at exorbitant prices in international markets.
- Strong steps been taken to stop this, India has stepped up efforts to bring them back.
- Due to these efforts India has been able to bring back many such artefacts.
- There is a coincidence associated with return of Mata Annapurna. A few days back we celebrated World Heritage week which provides culture enthusiasts an opportunity to look back into the past.