New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Indians again displayed their unwavering faith in the country’s Constitution and the democratic system in the recent Lok Sabha election, where a world record of 65 crore people cast their votes.
Resuming his Mann Ki Baat programme after a four-month break due to the General Election, Modi said, “The 2024 elections were the biggest elections in the world in which 65 crore people cast their votes. This has never taken place in any other country in the world”.
“For this, I congratulate the Election Commission and everyone involved in the voting process. My dear countrymen,” he said in the 111th e[episode of his popular talk show.
He mentioned that although the Mann Ki Baat broadcasts were suspended for a few months, its spirit continued in the country. The PM said he had “missed the communication” since the last episode on February 25.
Highlighting the ‘Hool Diwas’ celebrated by the tribal people on June 30, he said the day is associated with the indomitable courage of brave leaders Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, who strongly opposed the atrocities of foreign rulers.
“Today, 30th June is a very important day. Our tribal brothers and sisters celebrate this day as ‘Hool Diwas’. This day is associated with the indomitable courage of brave Sidhu-Kanhu, who strongly opposed the atrocities of foreign rulers,” he said.
Modi also underscored the advancements made by women in society. “Nobody would have imagined a few years ago that women in our villages would fly drones. But today, this is becoming a reality.”
The prime minister also discussed topics like promoting wildlife conservation.
Highlighting the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ launched on World Environment Day June 5, the Prime Minister said, “I have also planted a tree in the name of my mother. I have appealed to all the countrymen; people of all the countries of the world to plant a tree or in the name of their mother”.
“And I am immensely happy to see that the campaign to plant trees in memory of the mother or in her honor is progressing rapidly” he added.
Modi also congratulated the Indian sportspersons set to represent the country in the Paris Olympics slated to be held from July 26 to August 11.
He said, “In the coming days, I will also get an opportunity to meet the Indian team. I will encourage them on your behalf. And yes, this time our hashtag is #Cheer4Bharat”.
The Prime Minister said the performance of the country’s competitors in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics had won the heart of every Indian.
“Right after the Tokyo Olympics, our athletes began whole-heartedly preparing for the Paris Olympics,” he said.
He also mentioned that Indian products were now getting world recognition for their quality.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are also not behind in making local products global. What Jammu and Kashmir has achieved last month is an example for the people of the entire country. The first consignment of snow peas was sent to London from Pulwama,” the PM said.
“About 1.5 lakh tribal families are associated with the cultivation of Araku coffee. Girijan Cooperative has played a very important role in taking Araku coffee to new heights. It brought together the farmer brothers and sisters here and encouraged them to cultivate Araku coffee.
This has also increased the income of these farmers a lot,” he said. UNI
