NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the 130th edition of Mann Ki Baat, marking the first episode of the monthly radio programme in 2026. The address came on the eve of India’s 76th Republic Day and coincided with National Voters’ Day, which is observed annually on January 25.In his remarks, the Prime Minister reflected on the adoption of the Constitution, urged first-time voters to actively participate in the democratic process, and acknowledged the contribution of grassroots election workers. He also highlighted a decade of the Start-up India initiative, pointing to the rapid expansion of India’s startup ecosystem across emerging sectors.Against the backdrop of India’s growing economic footprint, PM Modi called for a renewed emphasis on quality in manufacturing and innovation, urging businesses and young entrepreneurs to make excellence the defining standard of Indian products as the country attracts global attention.
Here are the key quotes from PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat address:
- “This is the first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of the year 2026. Tomorrow, on 26th January, we all will celebrate ‘Republic Day’. Our Constitution came into force on this day. This day of 26th January gives us an opportunity to pay homage to the makers of our Constitution.”
- “Today, 25th January is also a very important day. Today is ‘National Voters’ Day’. Voters are the soul of democracy.”
- “Usually, when someone turns 18 and becomes a voter, it is considered a normal milestone in life. However, this occasion is actually a huge milestone in the life of any Indian.”
- “I would like to express my deep appreciation to all those involved in the electoral process in our country, who work at the grassroots level to keep our democracy vibrant.”
- “Today, on ‘Voter’s Day,’ I would once again urge my young friends to register themselves as voters upon turning 18.”
- “Ten years ago, in January 2016, we embarked on an ambitious journey… Friends, the journey I am talking about is the journey of Start-up India. The heroes of this amazing journey are our young friends. Today India has the third largest ecosystem of start-ups in the world.”
- “AI, Space, Nuclear Energy, Semiconductors, Mobility, Green Hydrogen, Biotechnology—you name it, and you’ll find an Indian start-up working in that sector.”
- “The era of ‘it happens, it works, it will pass’ is over. Let us prioritize quality with all our might this year. Let our mantra be quality, quality, and only quality… Let us make excellence our benchmark.=
- “In our country, bhajans and kirtans have been the soul of our culture for centuries. We have heard bhajans in temples, during narrations of kathas, and every era has lived devotion in a way that suited its own times. Today’s generation is also achieving remarkable things. Today’s youth have incorporated devotion into their experiences and lifestyles. This thinking has given rise to a new cultural trend.
- “Young people are gathering in large numbers in various cities across the country. Stages are set, there’s lighting, music, and the atmosphere is nothing short of a concert. It feels like a grand concert, but the hymns are sung with complete concentration, dedication, and rhythm, echoing with the hymns. This trend is now being called “bhajan clubbing,” and it’s becoming increasingly popular, especially among the young.
- “It’s heartening to see that the dignity and purity of the bhajans are maintained at these events. Devotion is not taken lightly. Neither the decorum of words nor the sentiment is compromised. The stage may be modern, the musical presentation may be different, but the core spirit remains the same. A constant flow of spirituality is felt there.”
- “My dear countrymen, today our culture and festivals are making their mark across the world. Indian festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in every corner of the world. Our Indian brothers and sisters have played a vital role in maintaining all kinds of cultural vibrancy. Wherever they are, they are preserving and promoting the essence of their culture.”
