Full Speech: Shri Narendra Modi at Shankhnaad Rally,Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Published By : Admin | December 15, 2013 | 16:13 IST

Bharat Mata ki Jay..! Bharat Mata ki Jay..!

Today is Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s death anniversary. I will say, “Sardar Patel”, you all shall say - “Amar Rahe…”

Sardar Patel… Amar rahe..! Sardar Patel… Amar rahe..!

National President of Bhartiya Janata Party and our respected guide Sri Rajnath Singh Ji, President of the state, Sri Tirath Ji, Former CM of the sate Shri Bhuvan Chandra Ji, Shri Bhagat Singh Ji, Sri Ramesh Ji, All the senior members of the party present on the dias and all my friends of this holy land assembled here in such a large number..!

I bow down to this land of Gods and salute the people who have kept intact the purity of this place. Friends, I did not feel like giving time for Dehradun rally. That time of crisis, the sufferers, the disaster, it has been almost six months, but that scene does not wash away from my mind..! What hurts me the most is that how politics can be so heartless that someone can’t share the sufferings of his own people, can’t wipe their tears..!

Friends, I rushed here in that moment of crisis, but political ruthlessness drove me away from here. That pain, the agony, the suffering still makes me tremble..! I keep worrying that the difficult weather is about to begin, how will the affected families thrive amidst the snow..! Friends, we have seen this, Gujarat was fighting under the blanket of death, but at that time whoever extended an arm to us for help, we immediately hugged them that please come, we are in a crisis, help us in any way you can..! We took help from everyone, Uttarakhand also helped us, even Pakistan helped us and we accepted their help..! If at the time of a tragedy if the shadows of politics increase the suffering of the victims, then humanity asks for answers. Because of it, there is always a burden on the soul..!

Friends, I also have a special connection with this land. I was an in-charge here; I have had an attachment with the Himalayas. The authenticity, purity, immaculacy and their way of living like the Ganga touched me since childhood. And being an in-charge, I stayed with you for quite some time and have learnt a lot. This land has given me a lot. May God give me the strength, and you all shall bless me so that I can at least give back a bit of what I have got from you..!

Friends, whether the government is in Delhi or in Dehradun, these are the people who are disconnected from the public, and immune at heart. I am amazed that the kind of strength Dehradun government is using on Baba Ramdev, if they had used even half of it to serve the victims, then their condition would have been far better..! I still can’t understand, what is the political thought process of Congress that Baba Ramdev has become a pain for them..? He asks people to breathe and congress gets breathless..! He is devoting his life for the health of people, for the health of the nation, but there is not a single day when a new case is not being filed on him..!

Full Speech: Shri Narendra Modi at Shankhnaad Rally, Dehradun

Friends, you tell me, is it Democracy..? Is this treatment justified..? Many of our party people like Bhuvan Chandra Ji, Bhagat Singh Ji, Ramesh ji have had governed Uttarakhand, but have they ever bothered or troubled any Congress men..? Are these their etiquettes..? Will it be the condition of democracy..? Friends, when in any state such activities take place, the state gets economic benefits, it gets consciousness, new generation thrives, the state benefits a lot, but these people want to lock everything down so that their business keeps operational..!

Friends, we all are indebted to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji that he gave us Uttarakhand and see how fortunate we are that he gave us Uttarakhand when Rajnath Ji was the Chief Minister. At that time, when Uttarakhand was formed it went in the hands of Congress. But even after that, look at his patriotism, his love for the society..! He did not think that here is Congress’s governance, let them do whatever they want to, let whatever happens happen..! He thought Uttarakhand is also our, and gave it a ten year package and did not care about whose government it is. And what did they do? They just wiped off everything in ten years. Factories were being set up, even people from Gujarat set up factories here, the youth is being employed but I am surprised that UPA government took away the facilities that Atal Ji gave to you..!

Friends, for people in governance, there are no friends and foes, everyone is their own..! But friends, I have heard one thing many a times here, whenever I have come here, I have heard this phrase which people used to say, Modi Ji, this is not Gujarat..! People used to say to me when I worked here that you do not know the mountains, the water and the youth here, it serves no purpose for us. But now the time has changed, today science can use the water for the mountains and the youth can fill these mountains with happiness. Friends, with so much water in the mountains, the country remains dark, what is the reason for this..? Hydro-electric projects can convert the water in energy, and energy can become the strength of not only the mountains but of the entire nation, and this can be done. But these people, they neither have the time nor any vision for it, nor do they want to do it..! They want that the people should remain poor and weak so that their governments remain in power..!

Friends, today the youth of the mountains are bound to leave such beautiful weather and clean surroundings and migrate to the slums of the urban areas. Why do the youth need to leave their old parents and go? There are many nations in the world who have taken their nation to entirely a different level just through tourism..! Friends this is a land where 125 crore populace of India wants to come at least once in their lifetime..! Every youngster dreams to take his parents to Haridwar, Hrishikesh, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri once. You can imagine, I am talking just in economic terms, do not take me wrong. If I talk in terms of economy then a market of 125 crore tourists is waiting for uttarkhand. You can understand that how huge an opportunity is in front of you. Why this is not being turned into reality, why is everything just left to the destiny..? Friends, in the entire world, tourism is the fastest growing sector. Business opportunity of almost 3 trillion dollar lies in the tourism business. It is belief of Indians and the people of entire world who are fed of materialism and searching for peace, they are also looking for place in this land. Not only India, but we can get people from across the world to bow down to Uttarakhand..!

Full Speech: Shri Narendra Modi at Shankhnaad Rally, Dehradun

Friends, those of you who practice the concept of progress, I urge to all of you. Remember the Mecca of 30 years before. There were very limited number of people, the facilities were average, but in last 30-40 years, Mecca has been developed as place where the highest number of pilgrims in the world visits. Billions and trillions are being made there. For every Indian, this is such a holy place and if facilities are developed here accordingly, then Uttarakhand will reach places..! Should every state of India not be connected to this place by rail? If direct trains from Kerela, Chennai, Ahmadabad are available to Uttarakhand, then you only tell me, will this place not be packed with tourists..? Will the economic facilities here improve or not..? But they do not understand this. They feel that from every corner of India trains should come to Delhi, but when people want to come to Uttarakhand then why should not be Uttarakhand connected..! If we work a bit on the facilities, and take care of the Indian tourists who are of accustomed to travel in problems, then the results can be huge..!

Friends, for the industrial development of India, SEZs were visualized and developed. SEZ stands for Special Economic Zone. I would say that Uttarakhand is a SEZ since centuries, and my definition of SEZ is Spiritual Environment Zone, this is a zone of spiritual environment. Focusing on that, those who come in the search of spirituality, we can attract them by making this land a heaven on earth.

Friends, the world is constricting every day. I say that, “terrorism divides, tourism unites”..! There is so much scope for adventure tourism. Do we have schools for adventure tourism..? Can’t they be developed..? When the time changes in entire India, then can’t camps be organized in villages of India to bring youngsters in adventure tourism..? Thrice the population of this place can come here for adventure tourism for three months..! Will there be a need to go outside to earn living..?

Friends, the way Uttarakhand is a spiritual environment zone, there is another SEZ character here. This is a land that strengthens the defense of India..! Every family, every village here has a tradition of producing soldiers who can die for the nation. But why men of Garhwal and Kumaon from Uttarakhand should only serve as common soldiers..? Till when will it continue..? Men from Garhwal and Kumaon, can they get officer ranks or not..? Can they join defence forces as officers or not..? Today the army is short of officers, there are many vacancies, and at a place where people have the character of bravery, can’t schools and universities to prepare officers be opened..? If the youth of this state, after passing out from those schools and universities are admitted directly in army, navy or air force, so won’t they be able to become officers..? There can be a huge change in the living standard of this land. But the Delhi government is unable to understand this. There are a very few of people of Gujarat in defence services, not many people from Gujarat join police, and hardly any are there in forces, but still, to motivate the new generation we thought that we have 1600 kms of seashore, Pakistan in the neighborhood, we have a desert, we should prepare to stand on our feet and we established Raksha Shakti University and those people who wanted to serve the nation in uniform, we are preparing them after tenth standard. The state that does not have this trait, if this can be done there, then Uttarakhand has courage and bravery running in its veins. People here have the tradition of serving the nation joining the army. Can’t we arrange this for their lives..?

Friends, in the Ramayana when Lakshman ji got unconscious, Shri Rama asked Hanuman Ji to get medicinal herbs from the Himalayas. Hanuman ji got those herbs from Himalayas and treated Laksman in the south. Himalaya is a huge depositary of medicinal herbs..! Where there is such a huge stock of medicinal herbs, can’t we start industries for production of medicines? Can’t we develop research institutes..? China is exporting more herbal medicines than us. We have great Himalayas with us which has unfathomable reserves of herbs, we have traditional knowledge also, but even after that the youth is unemployed, medicines are not being manufactured and medicines are not supplied to those who need it, it can’t be worse than this..!

Friends, in this area the women support the families the most. Whether you go to any family, the women are involved in some or the other economic activities. This is the specialty of the mountains that women play a great role in leading a life here. Can’t we improve the economic condition of Uttarakhand by involving women in handicraft sector etc. by skill development? But, in the mind of people in Delhi, there is no concern about public welfare..! What has to be done for their good, what areas should be touched, how to move ahead, it is not their concern and all of us can see the result..!

Friends, we should think of new things in new ways..! I am seeing that youngsters come to Gujarat to make living, they work hard honestly. I asked a company to conduct a pilot project. I will look after the legal proceedings but you conduct this project and analyze that the people who come from outside, they work how many hours in a day, in a week and accordingly evaluate that how much output a person gives at the end of one month and you should give them their monthly tasks based on it. Then let them do that work in whatever time they take. If that person finishes his annual goals in six months then give him paid leave for six month so that he can go to his place and plough his fields, spend time with his family. In this way he can develop economy in agriculture for six months and for six months they will work in the factory. Friends, such a project was conducted at one place and it was highly successful. All the youngsters are very happy. They come just to work and work for 8 to 12 hours instead of 4 hours and save leaves, and go to work in their fields once their work is done and in this way they can look after both their homes and work..!

Friends, why don’t we work to develop new systems with new vision for our youngsters..? So, today when I have come here I have come with this point that it is our onus that we do not sit with our hands tied that the life in the mountains is such only, God has given us birth here only, we have to live like this only… Friends, this approach will not work. We have to change lives, become self dependant. Friends, I believe that what God has given you, there can’t be anything better to change the circumstances, there should just be a new hope, a new vision, a new zeal, new dreams and new resolution. And I believe that if with this belief we resolve to take Uttarakhand ahead, we will be able to do it..!

Friends, the arrogance of Congress party is touching the seventh skies, they do not care. You must have seen, yesterday a Congress leader conducted a press conference and he was preaching on Lokpal like a great preacher. I would like to ask them from the bank of Ganges and from this holy land that if you understand the importance of Lokpal so well and if you want to bring an end to corruption, and you are giving a great message to the nation, then in Uttarakhand, in the government of Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri, an essential decision Lokpal regulation was formulated, which Anna Hazare ji read and applauded Khanduri Ji. If you find Lokpal so dear, and find it to be the only means of fighting corruption, then why your party did not allow it to be enforced in Uttarkhand..?

Friends, they are fooling people of the nation. If the same thing we would have done, then media would have excavated that BJP leader did this here. Now someone please ask them some questions as well..!

Friends, recently elections have been held in five states and the direction of the wind is clear. The people of India have started the auspicious mission of Congress free India. Four states have initiated and in the coming days what these four states have done will be repeated everywhere, and this is clearly visible everywhere. I will like to bring attention of all the people of Uttarakhand to a point. At the time of Atal Ji, three states were formed, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It is the need of the hour that the economists and political pundits of India analyze these states for last 13 years. Friends, I can say that the people of Chhattisgarh took a very smart decision and repeatedly got BJP in power. And today Chhattisgarh is progressing rapidly and is in race of progressing states of India, while Jharkhand and Uttarkhand got left back, because people changed the government again and again. Governments changed, leaders changed and instability strived and because of this, Uttarakhand is suffering a lot..!

Friends, you have experimented a lot, now believe us just once..! Trust Bhartiya Janata Party once. I give you the confidence that your dreams will be our commitments, your wishes will be our ideals and your needs will be our responsibility. The Uttarakhand, which is there in every Indian’s heart, we will join you in the dream of taking this Uttarakhand to a new height. Friends, I have worked on this land for elections and organization, but I have never seen such a scene..! I can see that many a people are standing at the other side of the road as well, I can see just heads till the end of my sight. I am very thankful to the people of Uttarakhand that even after your state of suffering, you have extended so much love and support to us, and it can’t be forgotten ever..!

All of you, say along with me,

Bharat Mata ki Jay..!

Raise both your hand and say with full strength,

Bharat Mata ki Jay..! Bharat Mata ki Jay..!

Vande Matram..! Vande Matram..! Vande Matram..!

Explore More
୭୮ତମ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଦିବସ ଅବସରରେ ଲାଲକିଲ୍ଲାରୁ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମୋଦୀଙ୍କ ଅଭିଭାଷଣ

ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ଅଭିଭାଷଣ

୭୮ତମ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଦିବସ ଅବସରରେ ଲାଲକିଲ୍ଲାରୁ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମୋଦୀଙ୍କ ଅଭିଭାଷଣ
India’s Biz Activity Surges To 3-month High In Nov: Report

Media Coverage

India’s Biz Activity Surges To 3-month High In Nov: Report
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
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
Unique efforts are being made to revive the sparrows: PM Modi

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.