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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to everyone to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Sharing his thoughts in the Mann Ki Baat programme of All India Radio today, Mr Modi said, it’s a matter of honour for everyone that today India is running the world’s largest vaccination programme. He said, several people above 100 years of age have taken the jab and the enthusiasm is visible in the elderly of the household regarding the vaccine. Mr Modi said, amidst all these, everyone should remember the mantra to fight corona- dawaayi bhi, kadaayi bhi.
He said, last year in March the country heard the term Janata Curfew for the first time. It was an unprecedented example of discipline and generations to come will certainly feel proud at that. The Prime Minister recalled that the Amrit Mahotsav to mark 75 years of Independence began from the day of Dandi Yatra and will continue till the 15th August, 2023. He urged the citizens to bring to fore the saga of freedom fighters and the historical and cultural importance of a place during Amrit Mahotsav to connect the country.
The Prime Minister called for novelty and modernization in all fields of life, otherwise it becomes a burden at times. In this context, he told that modernization in the field of Indian agriculture is the need of the hour. Mr Modi said, adopting new alternatives, new innovations, along with traditional farming, are equally important to create new opportunities for employment in the agriculture sector and to increase the income of farmers. He said, the country has experienced it during the white revolution and now bee farming is emerging as a similar alternative.
The Prime Minister told how bee farming is becoming the foundation of a honey revolution or sweet revolution in the country. He cited the example of a village Gurdum in Darjeeling, West Bengal where despite steep mountains and geographical problems , people have started honey bee farming. Today there is a sizeable demand for honey harvested at this place. It is also increasing the income of farmers. The Prime Minister said, the natural organic honey of the Sunderbans areas of West Bengal is in great demand in the country and the world. The farmers of Banaskantha in Gujarat and Yamuna Nagar in Haryana are earning lakhs of rupees annually through honey. The hard work of farmers has led to a rise in honey production. Every year nearly 1.25 lakh tons of honey is produced and a large quantity of honey is also being exported to foreign countries. In addition to honey, the bee wax is also a very big source of income.
The Prime Minister said that currently India imports bee wax, but, our farmers are now rapidly transforming this situation and in a way contributing in the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. He wished that more and more farmers of the country join bee farming along with their farming.
Speaking about World Sparrow Day, Mr Modi said, in Varanasi, Indrapal Singh Batra has initiated a noble effort and turned his own house into home for the Goraiya. He got such wooden nests made in his house where the Goraiya could dwell easily. Today many homes in Benaras are joining this campaign. He said, for nature, environment, animals, birds or for whatsoever small or big efforts should be made by us.
The Prime Minister mentioned about Bijay Kumar Kabiji from Kendrapada in Odisha who in 12 years has raised a 25-acre mangrove forest on the outskirts of the village towards the sea. He also spoke about Amresh Samant who has planted micro- forests, which are protecting many village. Mr Modi mentioned about Marimuthu Yoganathan who works as a bus conductor in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Yoganathan while issuing tickets to the passengers of his bus also gives a sapling free of cost and has got planted innumerable trees.
The Prime Minister cited the example of the students of St. Teresa’s College in Kochi in Kerala who are making Reusable Toys in a very creative manner. They are converting old clothes, discarded wooden pieces, bags and Boxes into making toys. These toys are given to the Anganwadi children for them to play with. Mr Modi said, today, while India is moving much forward in the manufacturing of toys, these campaigns from Waste to Value, these ingenious experiments mean a lot.
He also spoke about Professor Srinivasa Padkandla in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh who has created sculptures from Automobile Metal Scrap. He said, it is an innovative experiment with Electronic and Automobile Waste Recycling. He hoped that a greater number of people will come forward in such efforts. Mr Modi said, we have to work really hard to enrich the immense cultural heritage around us and to pass on to the new generation. He spoke about Sikari Tissau of Karbi Anglong district of Assam, who has been documenting the Karbi language for the last 20 years.
The Prime Minister said, any new beginning is always very special. He said, new beginning means new possibilities, new Efforts. Mr Modi said, new efforts mean new energy and new vigor and that is the reason it has been a tradition to observe any new beginning as a celebration in different states and regions and in our culture full of diversity. He greeted people for Holi, New Year Celebrations of Ugadi, Tamil Puthandu, Gudi Padwa, Bihu, Navreh, Poila Boishakh, Baisakhi and Vishu, Navratri, Ram Navmi, Easter and Ambedkar Jayanti.
Speaking about the programme, Mann ki Baat which completed 75 episodes today, Mr Modi thanked all the listeners for making it a success, enriching it and staying connected. He said, during these 75 episodes, the sheer number of topics that was touched upon turn out to be countless.
