From monsoon mayhem to Khelo India fest at Dal Lake: PM Modi addresses nation in 125th episode of Mann Ki Baat – key quotes

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation in the 125th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. During the radio programme, PM Modi expressed sorrow over the massive havoc caused by incessant rains in several parts of India. He covered a range of topics, with a special focus on the growing landscape of sports in the country.

PM Modi on Monsoon mayhem

Taking cognisance of the heavy rains lashing parts of India and wreaking havoc, PM Modi said, “In this Monsoon season, natural disasters are testing the country.” “In the last few weeks, we have witnessed massive havoc caused by floods and landslides. Homes torn apart, fields submerged, entire families destroyed. The relentless surge of water swept away bridges-roads got washed away, and people’s lives were in danger. These incidents have saddened every Indian. The pain of the families who lost their loved ones is shared by all of us,” he added. He also hailed the contributions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and other security forces, who have been working day and night in the relief efforts. “Wherever there was a crisis, our NDRF-SDRF personnel and other security forces worked day and night to save people. The soldiers also took the help of technology. Efforts were made to speed up relief work with the help of thermal cameras, live detectors, sniffer dogs and drone surveillance. During this, relief material was delivered by helicopters, and the injured were airlifted. Armed Forces came forward to help in times of disaster. Local people, social workers, doctors, administration – everyone made every possible effort in this hour of crisis. I heartily thank every such citizen who prioritised humanity in these difficult times,” he said.

Royal Premier League in Pulwama stadium

In the 125th edition of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi highlighted two special achievements of Jammu and Kashmir. “Amidst this devastation caused by floods and rains, J&K has also achieved two very special achievements. Not many people noticed these. But you will be happy to know about those achievements. A record number of people gathered in a stadium in Pulwama. Pulwama’s first day-night cricket match was played here. Earlier, this was impossible, but now my country is changing. This match is a part of the ‘Royal Premier League’ in which different teams of J&K are participating,” he said.

Special mention of Rasmita Sahoo and Moshin Ali

PM Modi also talked about two players who participated in the Khelo India Water Sports Festival. “To bring to you the experience of this event (Khelo India Water Sports Festival), I thought of also speaking to two players who participated in it. One of them is Rasmita Sahoo from Odisha and the other is Moshin Ali of Srinagar,” PM Modi said.Rasmita Sahoo, who was mentioned by PM Modi, said, “I am a canoeing player. I joined sports in 2017 with canoeing and have participated at the national level, in National Championships and National Games. I have won 41 medals, 13 Gold, 14 Silver and 14 Bronze. I come from a village where there are no sports activities. Boating was taking place in a nearby river, so my friends and I went swimming. While we were swimming, we saw a canoeing-kayaking boat passing by. I didn’t know anything about it. I found it very interesting. I immediately went home and told my father that I wanted to join this sport.”Moshin Ali also shared his experience during the programme, “I am very happy that I won a Gold Medal in the Khelo India event, which took place for the first time here, in Kashmir. People are talking about it a lot. The entire family is happy. Everyone in Kashmir calls me a Gold Medalist.”

What is Pratibha Setu Portal?

Prime Minister, during the radio programme, introduced the Pratibha Setu Portal to the UPSC aspirants. “UPSC conducts the Civil Services exam, one of the toughest exams in the country. There are thousands of such candidates who are very capable but are unable to reach the final list by a small margin. These candidates have to prepare afresh for other exams that cost both their time and money. That is why, now a digital platform has now been created for such sincere students – Pratibha Setu Portal.” PM Modi said that the Pratibha Setu stores the data of those candidates who cleared all the stages of various exams of UPSC, but their names did not appear in the final merit list. “Private companies can obtain information on these promising students and employ them,” he added.

MP youngsters got a chance to get trained in Germany

While remembering his podcast with famous podcaster Lex Friedman, PM Modi said that the episode caught the attention of German Footballer and Coach Dietmar Beiersdorfer. Beiersdorfer has provided an opportunity for many youngsters in Madhya Pradesh to get trained in Germany. “A player from Germany heard the podcast and one of the things I talked about caught his attention. The topic was related to the Football craze in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol. It was heard by German Footballer and Coach Dietmar Beiersdorfer. The Madhya Pradesh government has also contacted him. Some of our young friends from Shahdol will soon go to Germany for a training course,” he said.

Who is Jitendra Singh Rathore and Devki?

PM Modi further told the story of Jitendra Singh Rathore from Surat, who is a security guard and has undertaken a wonderful initiative. PM Modi said, “For the last few years, he has been collecting information about all those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in defending Bharat Mata. Today, he has compiled detailed records of thousands of soldiers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, from the First World War to the present day.”

Devki: The Solar Didi

PM Modi further said, “Devki ji of Bihar has changed the fate of her village with a solar pump. Devki ji, who lives in Ratanpura village of Muzaffarpur, is now fondly called “Solar Didi” by people. Devki ji’s life was not easy. She got married at a young age. She had the responsibility of four children with no clear picture of the future. But her spirit never dampened. She joined a self-help group where she got Information about the solar pump…Her solar pump changed the picture of the village. Earlier, only a few acres of land could be irrigated; now water is reaching more than 40 acres of land through ‘Solar Didi’s’ solar pump.”

Hyderabad Liberation Day

Moving further, PM Modi mentioned that next month, in September, the country will also celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day. “This is the same month when we will remember the courage of all those heroes who took part in ‘Operation Polo’. When India attained independence in August 1947, Hyderabad was in a different situation. The atrocities of Nizam and Razakars were increasing day by day. Finally, Sardar Patel convinced the government to launch ‘Operation Polo’. In record time, our forces liberated Hyderabad from the dictatorship of Nizam and made it a part of India,” he said.

Statue of Maharishi Valmiki in Italy

PM Modi also mentioned the statue of Maharishi Valmiki, which was recently unveiled in Italy. “Wherever you go in the world, you will definitely find the influence of Indian culture there. Something similar was witnessed in a small town in Italy, Camporotondo. A statue of Maharishi Valmiki was unveiled in Italy’s Camporotondo. People of Indian origin living in Camporotondo are very happy with the installation of the statue of Maharishi Valmiki. A 51-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram was also unveiled in Mississauga, Canada. People were very excited about this event. Videos of the grand statue of Lord Ram were shared a lot on social media,” he said. PM further added, “There is a famous place in Russia – Vladivostok. Many people know it as a place where the temperature falls to -20 to -30 degrees Celsius in winter. In August, a unique exhibition was held in Vladivostok. Paintings made by Russian children on different themes of the Ramayan were showcased there. A competition was also organised there.”

PM mentions Ganesh Utsav fervour

“At this time, the whole country is celebrating the pomp and fervour of ‘Ganesh Utsav’. You should never forget about Swadeshi during these festivals. In the coming day, the festive spirit will continue with many more celebrations. Amidst these festivals, you must not forget the call for ‘Swadeshi’,” he added. Go to Source