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Text of PM’s address at the commencement of expansion of Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi

Published By : Admin | December 25, 2014 | 17:40 IST

उपस्थित सभी महानुभाव और मेरे परिवार के सभी सदस्य, बंधु गण, मैंने ये कहा कि मेरे परिवार के! दो कारण से - एक तो मैं बनारस का हो गया हूं और दूसरा बचपन से एक ही याद रही है, वो है, रेल। इसलिए रेल से जुड़ा हर व्यक्ति मेरे परिवार का सदस्य है और इस अर्थ में मैं परिवार जनों के बीच आज आया हूं। मुझे खुशी है कि आज यहां दो महत्वपूर्ण प्रकल्प, एक तो 4,500 horse power capacity का डीज़ल इजिंन राष्ट्र को समर्पित हो रहा है और ये हमारी capability है। भारत को आगे बढ़ना है, तो इस बात पर बल देना होगा कि हम, हमारे आत्मबल पर, हमारी शक्ति के आधार पर हमारी आवश्यकताओं की पूर्ति करने का काम करें।

एक समय था, ये देश पेट भरने के लिए अन्न बाहर से लाता था। जब विदेशों से अन्न आता था, तब हमारा पेट भरता था। लेकिन इस देश में एक ऐसे महापुरूष हुए जिसने बेड़ा उठाया, देश के किसानों को ललकारा, आवाह्न किया, उनको प्रेरणा दी, जय जवान जय किसान का मंत्र दिया और देश के किसानों ने अन्न के भंडार भर दिए। आज हिंदुस्तान अन्न विदेशों में दे सके, ये ताकत आ गई है। वो काम किया था, इसी धरती के लाल, लाल बहादुर शास्त्री ने। अगर हमारे किसान देश को आत्मनिर्भर बना सकते हैं, अन्न के भंडार भर सकते हैं, तो देश की उस ताकत को पहचान करके हमने देश की उस युवा शक्ति का आवाह्न किया है - Make in India! हमारी जितनी आवश्यकताएं हैं, उसका निर्माण देश में क्यों नहीं होना चाहिए? क्या कमी है! जिस देश के पास होनहार नौजवान हों, 65 प्रतिशत 35 साल से कम उम्र के नौजवान हों, वो देश क्या नहीं कर सकता है?

इसलिए भाइयों, बहनों, लाल बहादुर शास्त्री का मंत्र था- जय जवान जय किसान और उन्होंने देश के अन्न के भंडार भर दिए। हम Make in India का मंत्र ले करके आए हैं इंडिजिनस! भारत की विधा से, भारत के संसाधनों से भारत अपनी चीज़ों को बनाए। आज, डिफेंस के क्षेत्र में हर चीज़ हम बाहर से लाते हैं। अश्रु गैस भी बाहर से आता है, बताईए! रोने के लिए भी बाहर से हमको साधन लाने पड़ते हैं। ये बदलना है मुझे और उसमें एक महत्वपूर्ण पहल आज आपके यहां से.. indigenous .. मुझे बताया गया, ये जो इंजिंन बना है, इसमें 96% कंपोनेंट यहीं पर बने हैं, आप ही लोगों ने बनाए हैं। मैंने कहा है कि वो 4% भी नहीं आना चाहिए। बताइए कैसे करोगे? उन्होंने कहा- हम बीड़ा उठाते हैं, हम करेंगे। डिफेंस..सब चीज़ें हम बाहर से ला रहे हैं, मोबाइल फोन बाहर से ला रहे हैं, बताईए! हमारे देश में हमें एक वायुमंडल बनाना है और इस पर हम कोशिश कर रहे हैं।

रेलवे! आप ने मुझे, जब से प्रधानमंत्री बना हूं, बार बार मेरे मुंह से रेलवे के बारे में सुना होगा। घूम फिर करके कहीं भी भाषण करता हूं तो रेलवे तो आ ही जाता है। एक तो बचपन से आदत है और दूसरा, मेरा स्पष्ट मानना है कि भारत में रेलवे देश को आगे ले जाने की इतनी बड़ी ताकत रखती है, लेकिन हमने उसकी उपेक्षा की है। मेरे लिए रेलवे एक बहुत बड़ी प्राथमिकता है। आप कल्पना कर सकते हो, इतना बड़ा infrastucture! इतनी बड़ी संख्या में manpower! इतना पुराना experience! और विश्व में सर्वाधिक लोगों को ले जाने लाने वाला ये इतना बड़ा organization हमारे पास हो। इसको अगर आधुनिक बनाया जाए, इसको अगर technology upgradation किया जाए, management perfection किया जाए। service oriented बनाया जाए तो क्या हिंदुस्तान की शक्ल सूरत बदलने में रेलवे काम नहीं आ सकती? भाइयों, बहनों मैं ये सपना देख करके काम कर रहा हूं। इसलिए रेलवे तो आगे बढ़ना ही है, लेकिन रेलवे के माध्यम से मुझे देश को आगे बढ़ाना है। और, अब तक क्या हुआ है, रेल मतलब- दो-पांच किलोमीटर नई पटरी डाल दो, एक आद दो नई ट्रेन चालू कर दो, इसी के आस-पास चला है। हम उसमें आमूल-चूल परिवर्तन चाहते हैं।

उसी प्रकार से human resource development. हम जानते हैं कि रेलवे में अभी भी बहुत लोगों को रोज़गार मिलने की संभावनाएं हैं। लेकिन उनकी आर्थिक स्थिति ऐसी है कि वे हिम्मत नहीं करते। अगर आर्थिक रूप से उनको मजबूत बनाया जाए तो हज़ारो नौजवान रेलवे अभी भी absorb कर सकता है, इतनी बड़ी ताकत है। इसलिए योग्य manpower के लिए हम चार युनिवर्सिटी बनाना चाहते हैं, हिंदुस्तान के चार कोनों में। उस युनिवर्सिटी में जो आएंगे उन नौजवानों की शिक्षा दीक्षा होगी और उनको रेलवे के अंदर नौकरी मिलेगी। हमारे कई रेलवे के कर्मचारी हैं। उनकी संतानों को अगर वहां पर पढ़ने का अवसर मिलेगा तो अपने आप रेलवे में नौकरी करने के लिए उसकी सुविधा बढ़ जाएगी। उसको भटकना नहीं पड़ेगा। कुछ लोग अफवाहें फैलाते हैं। आप में से कई लोग होंगे जो 20 साल की उम्र के बाद, 22 साल की उम्र के बाद, पढ़ाई करने के बाद रेलवे से जुड़े होंगे। मैं जन्म से जुड़ा हुआ हूं। इसलिए आप लोगों से ज्यादा रेलवे के प्रति मेरा प्यार है, क्योंकि मेरा तो जीवन ही उसके कारण बना है। जो लोग अफवाहें फैला रहे हैं कि रेलवे का privatization हो रहा है, वो सरासर गलत है। मुझ से ज्यादा इस रेलवे को कोई प्यार नहीं कर सकता और इसलिए ये जो गप्प चलाए जा रहे हैं, भाईयों, बहनों न ये हमारी इच्छा है, न इरादा है, न सोच है। हम इस दिशा में कभी जा नहीं सकते, आप चिंता मत कीजिए। हम क्या चाहते हैं - आज देश के गरीबों के लिए जो पैसा काम आना चाहिए, स्कूल बनाने के लिए, अस्पताल बनाने के लिए, रोड बनाने के लिए, गांव के अंदर गरीब आदमी की सुविधा के लिए, उन सरकारी खजाने के पैसे हर साल रेलवे में डालने पड़ते हैं। क्यों? रेलवे को जि़ंदा रखने के लिए। हम कितने साल तक हिंदुस्तान के गरीबों की तिजोरी से पैसे रेल में डालते रहेंगे? और अगर कहीं और से पैसा मिलता है, तो समझदारी इसमें है कि गरीबों के पैसे रेल में डालने के बजाए, जो धन्ना सेठ हैं, उनके पैसे रेल में डालने चाहिए। इसलिए कम ब्याज से आज दुनिया में पैसे मिलते हैं। हम उन पैसों को रेलवे के विकास के लिए लगाना चाहते हैं, जिसके कारण, आप जो रेलवे में काम कर रहे हैं, उनका भी भला होगा और हिंदुस्तान का भी भला होगा। रेलवे का privatization नहीं होने वाला है।

अब मुझे बताईए, ये युनियन वालों को मैं पूछना चाहता हूं कि रूपया रेलवे में आए, डालर आए, पाउंड आए, अरे आपको क्या फर्क पड़ता है भई! आपका तो पैसा आ रहा है। दूसरी बात, रेलवे के स्टेशन जितने हैं, हमारे.. अब मुझे बताइए, मुझे रेलवे युनिवर्सिटी बनानी है..अगर रेलवे युनिवर्सिटी में मुझे जापान से मदद मिलती है, चाइना से मदद मिलती है, टेक्नॉलोजी की मदद मिलती है, expertise की मदद मिलती है, तो लेनी चाहिए कि नहीं लेनी चाहिए? ज़रा बताईए, सच्चा बोलिए, दिल से बोलिए- लेनी चाहिए कि नहीं लेनी चाहिए? यही काम ये सरकार करना चाहती है भाईयों! और इतना ही नहीं इतना ही नहीं. आज हम देखें हमारे रेलवे स्टेशन कैसे हैं? रेलवे स्टेशन पर रेलवे में 12-12 घंटे प्लेटफार्म पर काम करने वाले रेलवे के कर्मचारी को बैठने के लिए जगह नहीं होती है। ये सच्चाई है कि नहीं है? उसको बेचारे को बैठ करके खाना खाना हो, उसके लिए जगह नहीं है। क्या हमारे रेलवे स्टेशन सुविधा वाले होने चाहिए कि नहीं होने चाहिए? रेलवे पर आने वाले लोगों को सुविधा मिलनी चाहिए कि नहीं मिलनी चाहिए? मैंने सर्वे किया कि बनारस स्टेशन पे जितने पैसेंजर आते हैं, उनको बैठने के लिए सीट है क्या? और मैं हैरान हो गया कि बहुत कम सीट हैं। ज्यादातर बेचारे बूढ़े पैसेंजर भी घंटों तक रेलवे के इंतज़ार में खड़े रहते हैं। क्या उनको बैठने की सुविधा मिलनी चाहिए कि नहीं मिलनी चाहिए? मैंने क्या किया, मेरे MPLAD का जो फंड था, मैंने रेलवे वालों को कहा, सबसे ज्यादा, जितनी बैंच लगा सकते हो, प्लेटफार्म पर लगाओ ताकि यहां गरीब से गरीब व्यक्ति को रेलवे के इंतज़ार में बैठा है तो उसको बैठने की जगह मिले। और मैंने सभी एमपी को कहा है, हिंदुस्तान भर में सभी रेलवे स्टेशन पर वो अपने MPLAD फंड में से पैसे लगा करके वहां पर वहां पर बैंचें डलवाएं ताकि रेलवे स्टेशन पर आने वाले पैसेंजर की सुविधा बढ़े। मुझे बताईए, ये सुविधा बढ़ेगी तो आशीर्वाद आपको मिलेगा कि नहीं मिलेगा? सीधी सीधी बात है, सब आपके फायदे के लिए हो रहा है भई। आप मुझे बताईए आज रेलवे स्टेशन जो हैं बड़े बड़े, heart of the city हैं! दो दो चार किलोमीटर लंबे स्टेशन हैं। नीचे तो आपकी मालिकी मुझे मंज़ूर है लेकिन रेलवे में आसमान में कोई इमारत बना देता है और रेलवे के खजाने में हजार करोड़, दो हजार करोड़ आज जाते हैं तो रेलवे मजबूत बनेगी कि नहीं बनेगी? वो प्लेटफार्म के ऊपर, हवा में, आकाश में अपनी इमारत बनाता है, रेलवे के फायदे में जाएगी कि नहीं जाएगी? मालिकी रेलवे की रहेगी कि नहीं रहेगी? रेलवे के कर्मचारियों का भला होगा कि नहीं होगा? हम जो विकास की दिशा ले करके चल रहे हैं, ये चल रहे हैं, privatization की हमारी दिशा नहीं है। हमें दुनिया भर का धन लाना है, रेलवे में लगाना है। रेलवे को बढ़ाना है, रेलवे को आगे ले जाना है और रेल के माध्यम से देश को आगे ले जाना है। हमारे देश में रेलवे को केवल यातायात का साधन माना गया था, हम रेलवे को देश के आर्थिक विकास की रीढ़ की हड्डी के रूप में देखना चाहते हैं।

इसलिए मेरे भाईयों, बहनों मैं देश भर के रेल कर्मचारियों को आज आग्रह करता हूं- आइए! हिंदुस्तान में सबसे उत्तम सेवा कहां की तो रेलवे की ये सपने को हम साकार करें। इन दिनों जो स्वच्छता का अभियान हमने चलाया है, कभी-कभार ट्विटर पर खबरें सुनने को मिलती हैं कि साहब मै पहले भी रेलवे में जाता था अब भी जाता हूं लेकिन अब जरा डिब्बे साफ-सुथरे नजर आते हैं, सफाई दिखती है देखिए लोगों को कितना संतोष मिलता है, आशीर्वाद मिलता है और ये कोई उपकार नहीं है, हमारी जिम्मेवारी का हिस्सा है। It is a part of our duty. धीरे-धीरे उस दिशा में हम आगे बढ़ रहे हैं। हमारा पूरा रेलवे व्यवस्था तंत्र साफ-सुथरा क्यों न हो उसका सबसे ज्यादा लाभ गरीब लोगों को कैसे मिले, मैं तो देख रहा हूं. रेलवे Infrastructure का उपयोग देश के विकास में इतना हो सकता है जिसकी किसे ने कल्पना नहीं की थी। हमारे देश में पोस्ट ऑफिस का नेटवर्क और रेलवे का नेटवर्क इन दोनों का अगर बुद्धिपूर्वक उपयोग किया जाए तो हमारे देश के ग्रामीण विकास की वह धरोहर बन सकते हैं।

मैं उदाहरण देता हूं- रेलवे के पास बिजली होती है, कहीं पर भी जाइए रेलवे के पास बिजली का कनेक्शन है। हिंदुस्तान की हर जगह पर। रेलवे के पास Infrastructure है। छोटे-छोटे गांव पर भी, छोटे-छोटे स्टेशन बने हुए हैं, भले ही वहां पर एक ट्रेन आती हो तो भी कोई न कोई वहां बैठा है, कोई न कोई व्यवस्था है। बाकी 24 घंटे वो खाली पड़ा रहता है उसी प्रकार से पोस्ट ऑफिस गांव-गांव तक उसका नेटवर्क है लेकिन वो पुराने जमाने की चल रही है उसमें बदलाव लाना है ये मैंने तय किया है और बदलाव लाने वाला हूं। अब मुझे बताइए गांव के अंदर जो रेलवे के स्टेशन हैं वहां पर दिन में मुश्किल से एक ट्रेन आती है मेरे हिसाब से हजारों की तादाद में ऐसी जगहें हैं, जहां बिजली हो, जहां Infrastructure हो वहीं पर अगर एक-दो कमरे और बना दिए जाएं और उन कमरों में Skill Development की Classes शुरू की जाएं क्योंकि Skill Development करना है तो Machine tools चाहिए और Machine tools के लिए बिजली चाहिए लेकिन बिजली गांव में नहीं है लेकिन रेलवे स्टेशन पर है, गांव के बच्चे Daily रेलवे स्टेशन पर आएंगे और रेलवे स्टेशन पर जो दो कमरें बने हुए होंगे उनमें जो Tools लगे हुए होंगे। Turner, Fitter के Course चलेंगे। एक साथ हिंदुस्तान में Extra पैसे खर्च किए बिना रेलवे की मदद से देश में हजारों की तादाद में Skill Development Centres खड़े हो सकते हैं कि नहीं।

मेरे भाईयों-बहनों थोड़ा दिमाग का उपयोग करने की जरुरत है, आप देखिए चीजें बदलने वाली हैं। मैं रेलवे के मित्रों से कहना चाहता हूं ऐसे स्टेशनों को Identify कीजिए जहां पर बिजली की सुविधा है वहां पर सरकार अपने खर्चे सेदो-तीन कमरे और बना दे और वहां पर उस इलाके के जो 500-1000 बच्चे हो उनके लिए Skill Development के Institutions चलें। ट्रेन ट्रेन का और Institutions, Institutions का काम करें रेलवे को Income हो जाए और गांव के बच्चों का Skill Development हो जाए। एक साथ हम अनेक व्यवस्थाएं विकसित कर सकते हैं और उस दिशा में हम आगे बढ़ना चाहते हैं।

आज एक तो सोलर प्लांट भी इसके साथ जुड़ रहा है। आधुनिक Loco shed का Expansion हो रहा है, करीब 300 करोड़ रुपए जब पूरा होगा। 300 करोड़ रुपए की लागत से यहां Expansion होने के कारण इस क्षेत्र के अनेक नौजवानों को रोजगार की नई संभावनाएं बढ़ने वाली हैं।

मैं फिर एक बार रेल विभाग को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। श्रीमान सुरेश प्रभु जी के नेतृत्व में बहुत तेज गति से रेल का विकास होगा। आजादी के बाद जितना विकास हुआ है उससे ज्यादा विकास मुझे आने वाले दिनों में करना है। रेलवे के बैठे सभी मेरे साथियों आप सभी मेरे परिवारजन हैं और इसलिए मेरा आप पर हक बनता है, रेलवे वालों पर मेरा सबसे ज्यादा हक बनता है कि हम सब मिलकर के रेल को सेवा का एक बहुत बड़ा माध्यम बनाएं, सुविधा का माध्यम बनाएं और राष्ट्र की आर्थिक गति को तेज करने का एक माध्यम बना दें। उस विश्वास के साथ आगे बढ़ें, इसी एक अपेक्षा के साथ आप सभी को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं।

धन्यवाद.

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Indian diaspora has made their mark in different nations: PM Modi during Mann Ki Baat
Indian diaspora has made their mark in different nations: PM Modi during Mann Ki Baat
November 24, 2024
Consistent efforts are being made to strengthen the NCC in our country: PM Modi
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is an effort to connect one lakh new youth to politics: PM
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My dear countrymen, Namaskar. 'Mann Ki Baat' means touching upon the collective efforts of the country; referring to the achievements of the country; discussing the strength of the people. 'Mann Ki Baat' means touching upon the dreams of the youth, the aspirations of the citizens of the country. I wait for 'Mann Ki Baat' throughout the month, so that I can communicate with you directly. There are innumerable messages! My earnest endeavour is to read as many messages as possible; to brainstorm on your suggestions.

Friends, today is a very special day - it is NCC Day. As soon as the name of NCC comes up, we remember our school-college days. I myself have been an NCC Cadet, so I can say with full confidence that the experience gained from it is invaluable for me. 'NCC' instills a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth. You must have seen around you that whenever there is a disaster; be it a flood, an earthquake or an accident, NCC cadets unfailingly make themselves available there to help. Today, efforts are being undertaken continuously to strengthen NCC in the country. In 2014, about 14 lakh youth were associated with NCC. Now in 2024, more than 20 lakh youth are associated with NCC.

Compared to earlier times, provision for NCC has been made in five thousand new schools and colleges… and the biggest aspect is that earlier the number of girl cadets in NCC was just around 25% (percent). Now the number of girl cadets in NCC has risen to almost 40% (percent). The campaign to connect more and more youth residing along the border with NCC is also going on continuously. I would urge the youth to join NCC in maximum numbers. You will notice that no matter what career you choose, NCC will help you a lot in personality development. Friends, the role of the youth in building a developed India is very significant. When young minds come together and deliberate upon the country's future journey, positively, concrete paths emerge. You know that on the 12th of January, on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the country celebrates 'Youth Day'. Next year is Swami Vivekananda's 162nd birth anniversary. This time it will be celebrated in a very special way. On this occasion, a Maha Kumbh of young minds is going to be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on 11-12 January, and the name of this initiative is 'Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'. Crores of youth from all over India will participate in it. 2 thousand such youth selected from villages, blocks, districts, states will gather at Bharat Mandapam for the 'Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'. You might remember that from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I have urged such youths to join politics, none of whose family members or even the entire family have had a political background.

To connect 1 lakh such youths, new youths, to politics, many special campaigns will be run in the country. 'Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue' is also one such effort. Experts from the country and abroad will grace this. Many national and international personalities would also be there. I will also be present in it for as much time as possible. The youth will get an opportunity to present their ideas directly before us. How can the country take these ideas forward? How can a solid roadmap be made? A blueprint will be prepared for this. So you too get ready; this is a great opportunity for those who are going to build the future of India, who are the future generation of the country. Come, let us build the country together, make the country developed.

My dear countrymen, in Mann ki Baat, we often talk about such youth. There are many youths who are working selflessly for the society and are engaged in finding solutions to numerous minor problems of the people. If we look around us, we see so many people who need some kind of help or information. I am happy to know that some youths have formed groups and addressed such issues as well. For example, Virendra, who lives in Lucknow, helps the elderly in the matter of Digital Life Certificate. As you know as per rules, all pensioners have to submit Life Certificate once a year. Till 2014, the process was such that the elderly had to go to the banks and submit it themselves. You can imagine how much inconvenience it used to cause to our elderly. Now this system has changed.

Now, by enabling the Digital Life Certificate, things have become very simple; the elderly do not have to go to the bank. Youths like Virendra have a major role in ensuring that the elderly do not face any problem on account of technology. They keep making the elderly of their neighbourhood aware about it. Not just that, they are also making the elderly tech savvy. Today, with such efforts, the number of people receiving Digital Life certificates has crossed the 80 lakh mark. Among these, more than 2 lakh are such elderly people whose age has crossed even 80.

Friends, in many cities, the youth are also coming forward to make the elderly a part of the digital revolution. Mahesh from Bhopal has taught many elderly people of his locality to make payments through mobile. These elderly people had smart phones, but there was no one to tell them their correct usage. The youth have also come forward to save the elderly from the risk of Digital Arrest. Rajiv from Ahmedabad warns people about the risk of Digital Arrest. I had discussed Digital Arrest in the last episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'. The elderly are the most common victims of such crimes. In such a situation, it is our responsibility to make them aware and help them stay safe from cyber fraud. We have to explain to people again and again that there is no provision of digital arrest in the government; this is a blatant lie, a conspiracy to trap people. I am happy that our young friends are participating in this work with full sensitivity and are motivating others as well.

My dear countrymen, these days many experiments are being conducted for the education of children. The effort is to enhance the creativity of our children and their love for books. It is said that 'books' are humans’ best friend and what better place than the library to strengthen this friendship. I want to share one such example from Chennai with you. Here one such library has been set up for children, which has become a hub of creativity and learning. It is known as Prakrith Arivagam. The idea of this library is the brainchild of Shriram Gopalan ji, who is associated with the world of technology. During his work abroad, he remained connected with the world of latest technology. But, he also kept thinking about developing the habit of reading and learning in children. After returning to India, he established Prakrith Arivagam. It has more than three thousand books, which children eagerly wait to read. Apart from books, different types of activities being organized in this library also attract children. Be it Story Telling sessions, Art Workshops, Memory Training Classes, Robotics Lessons or Public Speaking, there is something or the other, to the liking of everyone.

Friends, The Food for Thought Foundation has also established many wonderful libraries in Hyderabad. It’s their endeavor as well, to ensure that children get books to read with solid information on as many topics as possible. The Prayog library of Gopalganj in Bihar has started being talked about in many cities in the neighbourhood.
Apart from youths of around 12 villages getting the facility to read books from this library, this library is also providing other important facilities to the people. Some libraries are such that they are very useful for students in preparing for competitive examinations. It is indeed very heartening to note that the library is being used in the best possible way to strengthen the society. You too should develop friendship with books and see how it brings a change in your life.

My dear countrymen, I have returned from Guyana, a country in South America, the night before yesterday. Thousands of kilometres away from India, a ‘Mini India’ dwells in Guyana too. Around 180 years ago, people from India were taken to Guyana to work in the fields and for other tasks. Today, people of Indian origin in Guyana are leading the country in every field… be it politics, business, education or culture. The President of Guyana, Dr. Irfan Ali, is also of Indian origin and is proud of his Indian heritage. When I was in Guyana, a thought struck my mind which I am sharing with you in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Just like Guyana, there are lakhs of Indians in dozens of countries across the world. Their ancestors have their own stories of decades; even those over 200-300 years ago. Can you be on the lookout for such stories of how Indian immigrants made their mark in different countries! How they took part in their freedom struggle! How they kept their Indian heritage alive! I want you to find out such true stories, and share them with me. You can also share these stories on the NaMo App or on MyGov with #IndianDiasporaStories.

Friends, you will also find an extraordinary project going on in Oman very interesting. Numerous Indian families have been living in Oman for many centuries. Most of them who have settled there are from Kutch in Gujarat. These people had created important trade links. Even today they have Omani citizenship, but Indianness is ingrained in their personae. With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team has started the work of preserving the history of these families. Thousands of documents have been collected under this campaign so far. These include diaries, account books, ledgers, letters and telegrams. Some of these documents even date back to the year 1838. These documents are full of sentiments. When they reached Oman years ago, what kind of life they lived, what kind of joys and sorrows they faced, and, how their relations with the people of Oman progressed. All of this is a part of these documents. The ‘Oral History Project’ is also an important basis of this mission. In this mission, senior people from there have shared their experiences. People have expressed in detail about their lifestyle there.

Friends, a similar ‘Oral History Project’ is being carried out in India as well. Under this project, history enthusiasts are collating the experiences of the victims during the period of partition of the country. Now, there are very few people left in the country who have witnessed the horrors of Partition. In such a situation, this effort has become even more significant.

Friends, the country, the place that preserves it’s history, its future is also secure. With this very thought in mind, an effort has been made in which a directory has been created to preserve the history of villages. A campaign is also going on in the country to preserve evidences related to India's ancient maritime capability. Under this series, a very big museum is also being built in Lothal. Apart from that, if you are aware of any manuscript, any historical document, any handwritten copy, you can preserve it with the help of National Archives of India.

Friends, I have come to know about another such effort being undertaken in Slovakia which is related to conserving and promoting our culture. Here, for the first time, our Upanishads have been translated into the Slovak language. These efforts also underscore the global influence of Indian culture. It is a matter of pride for all of us that there are crores of people across the world who cherish India in their hearts.

My dear countrymen, I now want to share with you one such achievement of the country which will make you happy and proud, and if you have not done it, you will probably regret it. A few months ago, we started the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. People from all over the country participated in this campaign with great enthusiasm. I am very happy to tell you that this campaign has crossed the important milestone of planting 100 crore trees. A 100 crore trees, that too, in just 5 months.

This has been possible only due to the tireless efforts of our countrymen. You will be proud to know one more fact related to this. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign is now spreading to other countries of the world as well. When I was in Guyana, I witnessed this campaign there as well. There, Guyana's President Dr. Irfan Ali, his mother in law, and other family members joined me in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.

Friends, this campaign is going on continuously in different parts of the country. A record of tree planting was made in Indore, Madhya Pradesh under the campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' - more than 12 lakh trees were planted here in 24 hours. On account of this campaign, the barren area of Revati Hills of Indore will now turn into a green zone. A unique record was made through this campaign in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan - here a team of women planted 25 thousand trees in one hour. Mothers planted trees in the name of their mothers and inspired others too. Here, more than 5 thousand people planted trees at one location.

This too is a record in itself. Under the campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', many social organizations are planting trees according to local needs. Their effort is that wherever trees are planted, a complete eco system should develop in an environment friendly manner. Therefore, these organizations are planting medicinal plants at some places, and at other places, they are planting trees to facilitate nesting for birds. In Bihar, the women of 'Jeevika Self Help Group' are running a campaign to plant 75 lakh trees. The focus of these women is on fruit trees, so that income could also be generated in the future.

Friends, by joining this campaign, any person can plant a tree in the name of his mother. If the mother is with you, you can plant the tree along with her, otherwise you can become a part of this campaign by carrying her photograph with you. You can also post a selfie with the tree on mygov.in. We can never repay the debt of what our mother does for all of us, but by planting a tree in her name, we can keep her presence alive forever.

My dear countrymen, all of you must have seen sparrows chirping on roof tops or trees during your childhood. Sparrows are known as Kuruvi in Tamil and Malayalam, Pichhuka in Telugu and Gubbi in Kannada. Stories about sparrows are told in every language and culture. Sparrows play a very important role in maintaining bio-diversity around us, but today sparrows are hardly visible in cities. Due to increasing urbanization, sparrows have gone away from us. There are many children of today's generation who have seen sparrows only in pictures or videos. Some unique efforts are being made to bring back this lovely bird in the lives of such children. Chennai's Kudugal Trust has involved school children in its campaign to increase the sparrow population. The people of the organisation go to schools and tell the children how important sparrows are in everyday life. This organisation trains children to make sparrow nests. For this, the people of the organisation taught the children to make a small wooden house. In that, arrangements for food and shelter were made for the sparrows. These are homes that can be placed on the outer wall of any building or on a tree.

Children participated in this campaign with enthusiasm and started making nests for sparrows in large numbers. In the last 4 years, the organization has prepared ten thousand such nests for sparrows. With this initiative of the Kudugal Trust, the sparrow population has started rising in the surrounding areas. If you too make such efforts in your surroundings, sparrows will certainly again become a part of our lives. Friends, an organization in Mysuru, Karnataka has started a campaign called 'Early Bird' for children. This organization runs a special kind of library to tell children about birds. Not only this, it has prepared a 'Nature Education Kit' to create a sense of responsibility towards nature in children. This kit contains story books, games, activity sheets and jig-saw puzzles for children. This organization takes children from cities to villages and introduces them to birds. On account of the efforts of this organization, children have started recognizing many species of birds. The listeners of 'Mann Ki Baat' can also develop a different perspective in children to see and understand their surroundings through such efforts.

My dear countrymen, you must have noticed that as soon as someone mentions a 'government office', a picture of a pile of files emerges in your mind. You must have seen something similar in films too. So many jokes are made on these piles of files in government offices; so many stories have been written. These files used to gather dust after lying in offices for years and years, and would start accumulating dirt.

A special Swachhata Abhiyan was launched to remove such decades-old files and scrap. You will be happy to know that this campaign has brought amazing results in government departments. Cleanliness has freed up a lot of space in offices. This has also brought in a sense of ownership among the people working in the offices. They have also become serious about keeping their work place clean.

Friends, you must have often heard elders say that where there is cleanliness, Goddess Lakshmi resides there. The concept of 'waste to wealth' is very old in our country. In many parts of the country, the 'youth' are transforming items considered useless, that is waste, to wealth. They are innovating in different ways. They are earning money from that; generating avenues of employment. These youth are also promoting a sustainable lifestyle through their efforts. The effort of two daughters of Mumbai is really very inspiring. These two daughters named Akshara and Prakriti are creating fashion items through fabric scraps. You also know that the scraps that come out during cutting and stitching of clothes are considered useless and thrown away. Akshara and Prakriti's team transforms the same fabric scraps into fashion products. Caps and bags made from cuttings are literally flying off the shelves.

Friends, a good initiative is on in Kanpur, UP as well, pertaining to cleanliness. Here some people go for daily morning walks picking up plastic and other garbage spread on the banks of the Ganga. This group has been named the 'Kanpur Ploggers Group'.

This campaign was started by a few friends collectively. Gradually, it became a big campaign of public participation. Many people of the city have joined this campaign. Its members have now started collecting garbage from shops and houses as well. Tree guards are made from this garbage in the Recycle Plant, i.e., people of this group also protect the plants with tree guards made from garbage.

Friends, Iitisha from Assam too is an example of how tiny efforts can lead to big success. Iitisha has studied in Delhi and Pune. Iitisha has left the glitz and glamour of the corporate world and is engaged in cleaning the Sangti Valley of Arunachal. A lot of plastic waste had started accumulating there because of tourists. The river there, which was once pristine, had become polluted because of the plastic waste. Iitisha is working with the local people to clean it. People of her group spread awareness among the tourists there and put up bamboo dustbins all over the valley to collect plastic waste.

Friends, such efforts lend momentum to India's Swachhata Abhiyan. This is a perpetual campaign. This must certainly be happening around you as well. Do keep writing to me about such efforts.

Friends, that is all for this episode of Mann Ki Baat. I eagerly await your feedback, letters and suggestions throughout the month. Your messages every month inspire me to do even better. We will meet again next month in another episode of Mann Ki Baat with new achievements of the country and countrymen. Until then, my best wishes to all the countrymen.

Thank you very much.