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I assure the people of Bihar that the NDA would fulfill aspirations of people: PM Modi in Madhepura

Published By : Admin | November 1, 2015 | 16:00 IST
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सामाजिक न्याय के प्रणेता, गरीब, पिछड़ों के मसीहा और बिहार के गौरव बाबू विन्देश्वर प्रसाद मंडल जी के धरती के कोटि-कोटि नमन करै छी। अहाँ सब के पावन स्नेह देखकर मन भाव-विभोर भे गिल। मंच पर विराजमान बिहार के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और दलितों के मसीहा श्रीमान जीतन राम मांझी जी, एनडीए के सभी घटकों के वरिष्ठ नेतागण और विशाल संख्या में पधारे हुए मधेपुरा के मेरे भाईयों और बहनों।

चुनाव में सहरसा से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार आलोक रंजन जी, मधेपुरा से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार विजय कुमार विमल, बिहारीगंज से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार रवीन्द्र चरण यादव, सुपौल से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार किशोर कुमार, पीपड़ा से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार विश्व मोहन कुमार, निर्मली से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार राम कुमार राय, छतापुर से भाजपा के उम्मीदवार नीरज कुमार सिंह, महीसिंह से रालोसपा के उम्मीदवार चंदन कुमार जी, सोवरसो से लोजपा के उम्मीदवार श्रीमती सरिता देवी जी, सिंदरी से लोजपा के उम्मीदवार युसुफ़ अलाउद्दीन जी, आलमनगर से लोजपा के उम्मीदवार श्री चंदन सिंह, सिन्देश्वर से हम पार्टी के उम्मीदवार श्रीमती मंजू देवी, त्रिवेणीगंज से लोजपा के उम्मीदवार विजय पासवान जी और विशाल संख्या में पधारे हुए मेरे भाईयों और बहनों।

मैं कई बार अभियान के लिए आया लेकिन हर बार मैं बिहार आ न सकूँ, आपके दर्शन न कर सकूँ, आपके आशीर्वाद न ले पाऊं, इसके लिए भांति-भांति के अड़ंगे लगाने की कोशिश की गई एक बार जब मुझे आना था तो लालू जी, नीतीश जी चुनाव आयोग के पास पहुँच गए और शिकायत की कि बिहार में पहले चरण का मतदान चल रहा है और अगर मोदी इस समय आयेगा तो हमारा बचा-खुचा भी खा जाएगा इसलिए मोदी को बिहार में मत आने दो। चुनाव आयोग ने सारे नियम-कानून देखे और उनको कहा अगर किसी एक इलाक़े में चुनाव हो रहा है और दूसरे में नहीं है तो आप किसी को भी प्रचार करने से रोक नहीं सकते हैं; मोदी जी आयेंगे और सभा को संबोधित करेंगे। आज भी बिहार के कुछ स्थानों पर मतदान चल रहा है और मुझे आपका आशीर्वाद पाने का सौभाग्य मिला है।

लालू जी, नीतीश जी को पिछले 60 दिन में सभी सभाओं में जितने लोगों ने आशीर्वाद दिया होगा, मुझे अकेले मधेपुरा में उससे भी ज्यादा लोगों ने आकर आशीर्वाद दिया है। ये हिसाब है इस चुनाव का और बिहार की जनता राजनीति को भली-भांति समझती है। बिहार के लोग आधा-अधूरा नहीं बल्कि पूरा विश्वास करते हैं। उनको ख़ुद पर विश्वास है और इसलिए वे दूसरों पर भी विश्वास करते हैं लेकिन जब कोई उनका विश्वास तोड़ देता है तो चुन-चुन करके अपना हिसाब चुकता कर लेते हैं। यही बिहार के लोग है, 35 साल तक लोगों ने आँख बूँद करके कांग्रेस पर भरोसा किया, उनके वादे मानती रही लेकिन जब उन्होंने 35 साल का हिसाब देखा तो लोगों ने जिस कांग्रेस को 35 साल तक छप्पड़ फाड़ के दिया था, 35 साल के बाद ऐसा साफ़ कर दिया कि कांग्रेस नज़र ही नहीं आ रही है। अरे अभी उनको 40 सीट तोहफ़े में मिली है। ये 40 पर लड़ रहे हैं और एक प्रकार से हमारे लिए बिना कांटेस्ट के 40 सीट हो हमारी ज़ेब में वैसे ही आ गई है। उम्मीदवार पैसे लेकर घर पहुँच गए। ये पैसा ही खर्च नहीं कर रहे कि बच्चों को काम आएंगे। दिल्ली से जो थैली आई, उसे खर्च नहीं कर रहे क्योंकि उन्हें मालूम है कि कुछ बचने वाला नहीं है।

कांग्रेस को साफ करने के बाद लोगों को लगा कि लालू जी चल जाएंगे बड़ी अच्छी बातें बोलते हैं, ख़ुद भी अच्छे इंसान हैं, भैंस पर बैठ जाते हैं, बच्चों के बाल काट देते हैं बिहार के लोगों ने इतना भरोसा किया कि जिनको इन सारे कामों में मज़ा आता था, उन्हें सरकार चलाने का मौका दे दिया और नतीज़ा यह हुआ बिहार में बर्बादी के सिवा कुछ नहीं बचा। उसके बावजूद लोगों ने 15 साल तक उन पर भरोसा किया, उनपर गंभीर आरोप लगे, उन्हें सजा हुई और जब पत्नी को गद्दी पर बिठाया तो लोगों ने उन पर भी भरोसा किया। इसके बाद भी जब बिहार का भला नहीं हुआ तो बिहार की जनता का तीसरा नेत्र खुल गया। बिहार की जो जनता लालू जी को पलकों पर बिठाती थी, उसने हमेशा के लिए लालू जी की विदाई कर दी।

तीसरा जिस पर भरोसा किया, उनका अहंकार ही उनको खा गया जनता के साथ उनको कोई नाता नहीं रहा, जॉर्ज फ़र्नान्डिस के पीठ में छुरा भोंक दिया, जेपी को छोड़ दिया, जिस लोहिया जी ने कांग्रेस के खिलाफ़ लड़ाई लड़ी थी, उस लोहिया जी के चेले ख़ुद कांग्रेस की गोद में जाकर बैठ गए। बिहार की जनता ने धोखाधड़ी देखी है और इसलिए बिहार की जनता का और भी ज्यादा गुस्सा फूट निकला है। बिहार की जनता ने कांग्रेस को 35 साल बाद निकाला, लालू जी को 15 साल बाद निकाला, इनको तो 10 साल के बाद हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए विदाई कर देगी।

भाईयों-बहनों, बिहार के पास पानी है, जवानी है, नौजवानों के पास सपने हैं, बिहार के लोग मेहनत करने को तैयार हैं, फ़िर भी बिहार पीछे है। आपको जानकर आनंद होगा कि 150 साल पहले अंग्रेज़ लोग यहीं के कुछ लोगों को उठाकर मजदूरी के लिए मॉरिशस ले गए। गरीब, दलित, पिछड़े, अति पिछड़े, इसी समाज के लोग थे वो। तब अंग्रेज़ों का ज़ुल्म चलता था, जहाजों में बिठाकर समुद्र के रास्ते मॉरिशस ले गए। आज अगर आप मॉरिशस जाकर देखो तो बिहार के लोगों नें मॉरिशस में स्वर्ग खड़ा कर दिया। ऐसा मॉरिशस बना दिया है कि सीना तन जाता है बिहार के लोगों का पराक्रम देखकर। जो बिहार के लोग मॉरिशस को बना सकते हैं, वो बिहार और मधेपुरा को भी बना सकते हैं। झारखंड बिहार का ही हिस्सा था और झारखंड अलग हुआ, नेता नए आए, भाजपा को सेवा करने का मौका मिला और आज झारखंड भारत के पहले 10 राज्यों में खड़ा हो गया लेकिन बिहार आखिरी नंबर पर है और उसका कारण है – 25 साल लालू जी और नीतीश जी की सरकार, बड़े भाई और छोटे भाई की जुगलबंदी।

बिहार जंगलराज, भ्रष्टाचार, और अहंकार से तबाह हो गया और ये तीनों इकट्ठे हो गए है और इससे पहले से ज्यादा बर्बादी होगी। आप बताएं कि आज पूरे विश्व में हिन्दुस्तान का डंका बज रहा है कि नहीं? अमेरिका, जर्मनी, कनाडा, चीन, जापान चारों तरफ हिन्दुस्तान की जय-जयकार हो रही है कि नहीं? ये मोदी के कारण नहीं हो रहा है बल्कि ये सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों के कारण हो रहा है। आज अगर दिल्ली में आपने हमें पूर्ण बहुमत नहीं दिया होता तो दुनिया में हिन्दुस्तान का डंका नहीं बज सकता था। ये डंका इसलिए बजता है क्योंकि देशवासियों ने 30 साल के बाद दिल्ली में पूर्ण बहुमत वाली सरकार बनाई है। दुनिया में कितना ही महान और ताक़तवर देश क्यों न हो, लेकिन उसका नेता जब मोदी से हाथ मिलाता है तो उसे मोदी नहीं बल्कि सवा सौ करोड़ हिन्दुस्तानी दिखाई देते हैं और इसलिए दुनिया हिन्दुस्तान का लोहा मानती है।

इसी तरह सभी राज्यों में भी बिहार का डंका बजे और जय-जयकार हो तो बिहार में भी दो-तिहाई बहुमत के साथ एनडीए की सरकार बनानी होगी। चौथे चरण का चुनाव अभी चल रहा है और आज सुबह से जो मुझे जानकारी मिल रही है, लोगों में काफ़ी उत्साह है और लंबी-लंबी कतारें लगी हैं और भारी मतदान हो रहा है। मधेपुरा सारे बिहार का रिकॉर्ड तोड़ेगा और मुझे विश्वास है कि इस बार मधेपुरा नया इतिहास बनाने वाला है।

भाईयों-बहनों, हमारे मधेपुरा में रेल लोकोमोटिव फैक्ट्री... जो वर्षों से धीरे-धीरे गुजारा कर रही है, न उसमें कोई जान भरता है, न कोई विकास करता है और न कोई रोजगार के अवसर पैदा करता है हमने निर्णय किया है कि हम रेल लोकोमोटिव को नया बनाएंगे, उसका विस्तार करेंगे, नई टेक्नोलॉजी लाएंगे, बिहार में रोजगार की नई संभावनाएं पैदा करेंगे। टेंडर पास हो गया है, जैसे ही आचार संहिता पूरी होगी, टेंडर खुल जाएंगे, और तेज़ गति से ये रेल लोकोमोटिव आगे बढ़ना शुरू हो जाएगा।

अगर काम करने का इरादा हो और बिहार के प्रति प्यार हो, तो फ़िर ये काम कभी रुक नहीं सकता है। मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि मुझे एक ही काम करना है – विकास। विकास के लिए आपके लिए मेरे मन में तीन चीज़ें हैं - पढ़ाई, कमाई और बुजुर्गों को दवाई। बिहार के गरीब बच्चों को सस्ती एवं अच्छी शिक्षा मिलनी जरुरी है और यहीं पर मिलनी चाहिए क्योंकि तब गरीब माँ-बाप को अपनी जमीन गिरवी रखने और अपनी बहू-बेटियों की अमानत गिरवी रखने की नौबत नहीं आएगी। अच्छी शिक्षा हो, सस्ती शिक्षा हो, गरीब से गरीब व्यक्ति को शिक्षा मिले, ये काम मुझे करना है, मुझे आपका आशीर्वाद चाहिए। दूसरी बात है, कमाई; नौजवान के लिए रोजगार। बिहार में पलायन रूकना चाहिए। पलायन के कारण बूढ़े माँ-बाप को उनकी सेवा करने के उम्र में छोड़कर नौकरी के लिए भटकना पड़ रहा है। ये पलायन रूकना चाहिए और बिहार के नौजवान को यहीं पर रोजगार का अवसर मिलना चाहिए। उद्योग नहीं लगेंगे तो रोजगार कैसे मिलेगा।

अभी वर्ल्ड बैंक ने एक रिपोर्ट निकाली थी कि किस राज्य में लोग निवेश करना चाहते हैं, ईज़ ऑफ़ डूइंग बिज़नेस कहाँ है। आपको जानकर दुःख होगा कि झारखंड, जो कभी बिहार की हिस्सा था, वो आज चौथे नंबर पर है और ये बिहार 21वें – 22वें नंबर पर खड़ा है। मुझे बताईये कि ऐसी स्थिति में कोई आयेगा क्या? इसका परिणाम देखिये, जब भाजपा के लोग बिहार में सरकार में थे, तो करीब 17,500 रुपये का पूँजी निवेश आया और जैसे ही भाजपा वाले निकल गए, ये आंकड़ा 6000 पर आ गया। ये बिहार का नुकसान हुआ कि नहीं, बिहार में कारखाना आने से अटक गया कि नहीं, नौजवान का रोजगार गया कि नहीं। बिजली नहीं होगी तो कारखाना कैसे लगेगा। आज भी 21वीं सदी में बिहार के 4000 गाँव ऐसे हैं जहाँ बिजली का खंभा भी नहीं है। ये शर्म की बात है। मैंने इन 4000 गांवों में बिजली पहुँचाने का ठान लिया है। घरों, स्कूलों में बिजली होनी चाहिए। नीतीश बाबू कहते हैं कि हम कंप्यूटर देंगे। आप बताईये कि बिना बिजली के कंप्यूटर कैसे चलेगा। ये मूर्ख बना रहे हैं। नीतीश जी, पहले बिजली तो लाओ।

2010 में नीतीश कुमार ने कहा था कि मेरी सरकार बनाईए, मैं घर-घर बिजली पहुंचाऊंगा और अगर मैं बिजली न पहुंचाऊं तो मैं वोट मांगने नहीं आऊंगा। बिजली तो नहीं आई लेकिन वो वोट मांगने जरुर आये। उन्होंने आपसे धोखा किया, अपना वादा तोड़ा तो अब आप उनसे नाता तोड़ोगे? जो अपना बिजली का वादा नहीं निभा सकते, वो आने वाले दिनों में भी आपका कुछ नहीं करेंगे। वो कहेंगे कि जंतर-मंतर करो, बिजली आ जाएगी, पानी आ जाएगा, रोजगार आ जाएगा। जंतर-मंतर वाला जमाना गया। मुझे तो डर है कि यहाँ 15 साल जंगलराज चला, 10 साल जंतर-मंतर का राज चला और ये जंतर-मंतर और जंगलराज एकसाथ आ गया, फ़िर बिहार को कोई नहीं बचा सकता।

हमें न जंतर-मंतर चाहिए और न जंगलराज चाहिए, इसलिए उन्हें विदाई देने का समय आ गया है। तीसरा है – दवाई; बुजुर्गों के लिए सस्ती दवाई, डॉक्टर और दवाखाना होना चाहिए। इंसान अगर बीमार हो तो कहाँ जाएगा। इसलिए आपके लिए मेरे तीन मंत्र हैं - पढ़ाई, कमाई और बुजुर्गों को दवाई। बिहार राज्य की भलाई के लिए तीन सूत्र है, बिजली, पानी एवं सड़क। बिजली आएगी, उद्योग लगेंगे। कोसी की तबाही के कारण यहाँ के किसानों को कितनी परेशानी होती है। एक कोसी परेशान करे तो दूसरी तरफ़ सूखा। पानी का प्रबंध होना चाहिए बिहार के पास दो ताकत है जो बिहार का भविष्य बदल सकती है – बिहार का पानी और बिहार की जवानी। मैं तो हैरान हूँ कि यहाँ इतना पानी है, इतने गरीब लोग हैं लेकिन मछली पालन का भी काम सरकार ने नहीं किया। अगर ये पानी में मछलियाँ तैयार करते तो आज बिहार को खाने के लिए 400 करोड़ रुपये की मछली बाहर से नहीं लानी पड़ती और 400 करोड़ में यहाँ लाखों नौजवान को रोजगार मिल जाता। उनको करना ही नहीं है, पानी बह रहा है और मछली बाहर से आ रही है। यही तो मुसीबत है कि जवानी बाहर जा रही है और पानी समुंदर में जा रहा है। बिहार को आगे बढ़ने के लिए मुझे ये दोनों पूरी ताकत से चाहिए और इसलिए मैं आपसे आशीर्वाद मांगने आया हूँ।

भाईयों-बहनों, हम बिहार को विकास की नई ऊंचाईयों पर ले जाना चाहते हैं। 1 लाख 25 हज़ार करोड़ का पैकेज और 40 हज़ार करोड़ पुराना वाला जो कागज़ पर पड़ा था लेकिन जिसे कोई देने का नाम नहीं लेता था, हमने कहा कि लिखा किसी ने भी हो लेकिन बिहार तो मेरा है, सरकार किसी पराये की होगी लेकिन बिहार पराया नहीं है। इसलिए हमने सब मिलाकर 1 लाख 65 हज़ार करोड़ का पैकेज दिया जो बिहार का भाग्य बदलने का ताकत रखता है। विकास के लिए, बिहार का भाग्य बदलने के लिए वोट कीजिये।

मैं पूरे बिहार में जा चुका हूँ और जनता-जनार्दन का आशीर्वाद ले चुका हूँ और मैं साफ़ कहता हूँ कि दो-तिहाई बहुमत से एनडीए की सरकार बनने वाली है। बिहार 8 तारीख को दिवाली मनाएगा और पूरा हिन्दुस्तान 8 तारीख को दिवाली मनाएगा। दो-दो दिवाली मनानी है भाईयों। यहाँ आया हुआ हरेक व्यक्ति कम-से-कम दस परिवार को वोट करा देगा? ये प्यार और आशीर्वाद हो तो कोई सरकार बनने से रोक सकता है क्या। मतदान भारी संख्या में हो और पांचवें चरण में सबसे ज्यादा मतदान करके दिखाईये, यही मेरी आपको शुभकामनाएं हैं। मेरे साथ ज़ोर से बोलिये -   

भारत माता की जय! भारत माता की जय! भारत माता की जय!       

बहुत-बहुत 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
Heartening to see the youth help senior citizens become part of the digital revolution: PM Modi
Innovative efforts from Chennai, Hyderabad & Bihar to enhance children’s education: PM Modi
Indian diaspora has made their mark in different nations: PM Modi
A museum is being developed in Lothal, dedicated to showcasing India’s maritime heritage: PM Modi
#EkPedMaaKeNaam campaign has crossed the milestone of 100 crore trees planted in just 5 months: 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.