The latest episode of Mann Ki Baat began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorting the countrymen to ‘Cheer for Bharat’ in the ongoing Paris Olympics, and was followed by his telephonic interaction with six young Indian winners of the International Mathematics Olympiad. Among the subjects, the PM touched upon during his popular monthly broadcast were: Charaideo Maidam of Assam; Project PARI; UNNATI Self Help Group; Government’s big step against drug abuse, Manas; increase in tiger populatio; the upcoming Independence Day and the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’. The following are the excerpts from PM Modi’s Mann ki Baat programme, broadcast on July 28: HAVE you heard the name Charaideo Maidam? If not, you will now hear this name again and again, and will tell others with great enthusiasm. Charaideo Maidam of Assam is being included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In this list, it will be the 43rd site of India, but the first site from the Northeast. Friends, the question arriving in your mind must be… what exactly is Charaideo Maidam, and why is it so special? Charaideo means a shining city on the hills. This was the first capital of the Ahom dynasty. The people of the Ahom dynasty traditionally kept the mortal remains of their ancestors and their valuables in the Maidam. A Maidam is a mound-like structure, covered with soil on top, and has one or more rooms underneath. This Maidam is a symbol of reverence for the departed kings and dignitaries of the Ahom Empire. This way of showing respect to one’s ancestors is very unique. Community worshipping was also performed at this place…
Acountry can progress only by taking pride in her culture. Many such efforts are being made in India as well. One such effort is – Project PARI. Now do not get confused by hearing PARI… this fairy does not pertain to heavenly imagination but is making the earth a heaven. PARI means Public Art of India. Project PARI is becoming a great medium to bring emerging artists on one platform to popularise public art. You must have seen that beautiful paintings are made on the roadsides, on walls, in underpasses. These paintings and these artefacts are made by the same artists who are associated with PARI. This not only enhances the beauty of our public places, but also helps in making our culture more popular…
NOW we will talk about ‘colours’ – colours that have filled the lives of more than 250 women of Rohtak district of Haryana with hues of prosperity. These women associated with the handloom industry used to run small shops and do odd jobs to earn their living. But everyone does have a desire to move ahead. So they decided to join the UNNATI Self Help Group and by joining this group, they received training in block printing and dyeing. These women who spread the magic of colours on clothes are earning lakhs of rupees today. The bed covers, sarees and dupattas made by them are in great demand in the market. Friends, like these women of Rohtak, artisans in different parts of the country are engaged in making handloom popular… I have often discussed with you the challenge of the drug menace. Every family is worried that their child might get caught in the grip of drugs. Now to help such people, the Government has opened a special centre, named ‘Manas’. This is a very big step in the fight against drug abuse. A few days ago, the Helpline and Portal of ‘Manas’ was launched. The government has issued a toll-free number ‘1933’. Anyone can call on this number to get necessary advice or information related to rehabilitation.
TIGER Day will be celebrated all over the world tomorrow. In India, Tigers have been an integral part of our culture. We all have grown up listening to stories of incidents related to tigers. In the villages around forests, everyone knows how to live in harmony with the tiger. In our country, there are many villages where there is no conflict between humans and tigers. But where such a situation arises, unprecedented efforts are being made for the protection of tigers there as well.
One such effort of public participation is ‘Kulhadi Band Panchayat’. The ‘Kulhadi Band Panchayat’ campaign that started from Ranthambor of Rajasthan is very interesting. The local communities themselves have taken an oath that they will not go to the forest with axes and will not cut trees. Due to this one decision, the forests here are becoming green once again, and a better environment is being created for the tigers…
15th August is not far away. And now another campaign has been added to the 15th of August, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’. For the last few years, everyone’s fervour for the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ remains high in the entire country. Be it the poor… the rich… small households, big households, everyone feels proud waving the tricolor.
There is also a craze of taking selfies with the tricolor and posting them on social media. You must have noticed that when the tricolor flutters atop each house of the colony or society, within no time the tricolor starts appearing on other houses as well. That is, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ – has become a unique festival in upholding the glory of the tricolour. Now, various kinds of innovations related to that are also taking place. As the 15th of August approaches, various kinds of products are seen for displaying the tricolour in homes, offices, cars. Some people even distribute the ‘tricolour’ to their friends and neighbours. This joy, this enthusiasm with the tricolour connects us with each other. Friends, like earlier, this year too you must upload your selfie with the Tricolour on ‘harghartiranga.com’ and I want to remind you of something more. Every year before the 15th of August, you send me a lot of your suggestions. You must send me your suggestions this year as well. You can also send your suggestions on MyGov or NaMo App. I will try to cover as many suggestions as possible in the 15th August address.
