सर जगन्नाथ जी, मारीशस सरकार के मंत्रीपरिषद के सभी महानुभाव, सभी वरिष्ठ नागरिक भाईयों और बहनों,
सर जगन्नाथ जी ने कहा कि छोटे भारत में भारत के प्रधानमंत्री का स्वागत करता हूं। ये लघू भारत शब्द सूनते ही पूरे तन मन में एक वाइब्रेशन की अनुभूति होती है, एक अपनेपन की अनुभूति होती है। एक प्रकार से 1.2 मिलियन के देश को 1.2 बिलियन का देश गले लगाने आया है। ये अपने आप में हमारी सांस्कृतिक विरासत है। हम कल्पना कर सकते हैं कि सौ डेढ़ सौ साल पहले हमारे पूर्वज यहां श्रमिक के रूप में आए और साथ में तुलसीदासकृत रामायण, हनुमान चालीसा और हिंदी भाषा को ले करके आए। इन सौ डेढ़ सौ साल में अगर ये तीन चीज़ें न होती और बाकी सब होता, तो आप कहां होते और मैं कहां होता, इसका हम अंदाज कर सकते हैं। इसे हमने बचाए भी रखा है, बनाए भी रखा है और जोड़ करके भी रखा है।
1975 में, जब नागपुर में विश्व हिंदी सम्मेलन हुआ तब श्री शिवसागर जी वहां आए थे और आपने उस समय प्रस्ताव रखा था, एक विश्व हिंदी सचिवालय होना चाहिए। 1975 में इस विचार को स्वीकार किया गया था, लेकिन उस बात को आगे बढ़ते-बढ़ते सालों बीत गए। और मैं मानता हूं कि आज विश्व सचिवालय की एक नई इमारत का शिलान्यास हो रहा है, तो उसकी खुशी विश्वभर में फैले हिंदी प्रेमियों को तो होगी ही होगी, लेकिन मुझे विश्वास है कि सर शिवसागर जी जहां कहीं भी होंगे, उनको अति प्रसन्नता होगी कि उनके सपनों का यह काम आज साकार हो रहा है।
जब अटल जी की सरकार थी तो 1975 के विचार को आगे बढ़ाने की दिशा में प्रयास हुआ। डॉ. मुरली मनोहर जोशी जी यहां आए थे। फिर बाद में गाड़ी में रूकावट आ गई और शायद ये काम मेरे ही भाग्य में लिखा था। लेकिन मैं चाहूंगा कि अब ज्यादा देर न हो। आज जिसकी शुरूआत हो, अभी तय कर लें कि इतनी तारीख को उसका उद्घाटन हो जाए।
मॉरीशस ने हिंदी साहित्य की बहुत बड़ी सेवा की है। बहुत से सार्क देशों में हिंदी भाषा के प्रति प्रेम रहा है। अनेक भाषा भाषी लोगों ने हिंदी भाषा को सीखा है। दूनिया की अनेक युनिवर्सिटीज़ में हिंदी सिखाई जाती है। कई पुस्तकों का हिंदी में अनुवाद हुआ है। कई भाषाओं की किताबों का अनुवाद हुआ है। लेकिन जैसे मूर्धन्य साहित्यकार दिनकर जी कहते थे कि मॉरीशस अकेला एक ऐसा देश है जिसका, उसका अपना हिेंदी साहित्य है। ये मैं मानता हूं, बहुत बड़ी बात है।
अभी 2015 का प्रवासी भारतीय दिवस हुआ। इस बार के प्रवासी भारतीय दिवस में कार्यक्रम रखा गया था कि प्रवासी भारतीयों के द्वारा जो साहित्य सर्जन हुआ है, उसकी एक प्रदर्शनी लगाई जाए। दूनियाभर में फैले हुए भारतीयों ने जो कुछ भी रचनाएं की हैं, अलग-अलग भाषा में की हैं, उसकी प्रदर्शनी थी। और मैं आज गर्व से कहता हूं कि विश्वभर में फैले हुए भारतीयों के द्वारा लिखे गए साहित्य की इस प्रदर्शनी में डेढ़ सौ से ज्यादा पुस्तकें मॉरीशस की थीं। यानि यहां पर हिंदी भाषा को इतना प्यार किया गया है, उसका इतना लालन-पालन किया गया है, उसको इतना दुलार मिला है, शायद कभी कभी हिंदुस्तान के भी कुछ इलाके होंगे जहां इतना दुलार नहीं मिला होगा जितना मॉरीशस में मिला है।
भाषा की अपनी एक ताकत होती है। भाषा भाव की अभिव्यक्ति का एक माध्यम होता है। जब व्यक्ति अपनी भाषा में कोई बात करता है, तब वो दिमाग से नहीं निकलती है, दिल से निकलती है। किसी और भाषा में जब बात की जाती है तो पहले विचार, दिमाग में ट्रांसलेशन चलता है और फिर प्रकट होता है। सही शब्द का चयन करने के लिए दिमाग पूरी डिक्शनरी छान मारता है और फिर प्रकट होता है। लेकिन, अपनी भाषा भाव की अभिव्यक्ति का बहुत बड़ा माध्यम होती है। जयशंकर राय ने कहा था कि मारीशस की हिंदी.. ये श्रमिकों की भक्ति का जीता जागता सबूत है। ये जयशंकर राय ने कहा था।
और मैं मानता हूं कि मॉरीशस में जो हिंदी साहित्य लिखा गया है, वो कलम से निकलने वाली स्याही से नहीं लिखा गया है। मॉरीशस में जो साहित्य लिखा गया है, उस कलम से, श्रमिकों की पसीने की बूंद से लिखा गया है। मॉरीशस जो हिंदी साहित्य है, उसमें यहां के पसीने की महक है। और वो महक आने वाले दिनों में साहित्य को और नया सामर्थ्य देगी। और जैसा मैंने कहा कि भाव की अभिव्यक्ति .. हर भाषा का भाषातंर संभव नहीं होता है। और भाव का तो असंभव होता है।
जैसे हमारे यहां कहा गया है- "राधिका तूने बांसूरी चुराई।" अब यहां बैठे हुए जो लोग भी हिंदी भाषा को जानते हैं, उन्हें पूरी समझ है कि मैं क्या कह रहा हूं। “राधिके तूने बांसूरी चुराई।“ लेकिन यही बात बहुत बढिया अंग्रेजी़ में मैं ट्रांसलेट करके कहूंगा तो ये कहूंगा कि “Radhika has stolen the flute. Go to police station and report.” भाषा भाव की अभिव्यक्ति का एक बहुत बड़ा माध्यम होता है। भाषा से अभिव्यक्त होने वाले भाव सामर्थ्य भी देते हैं। हम हमारे प्रधानमंत्री श्री अनिरूद्ध जगन्नाथ जी को जानते हैं। नाम भी बोलते हैं लेकिन हमें पता नहीं होगा शायद कि जगन्नाथ में से ही अंग्रेजी डिक्शनरी में एक शब्द आया है और मूल शब्द वो जगन्नाथ का है.. और अंगेज़ी में शब्द आया है- Juggernaut. यानी ऐसा स्रोत,ऐसी शक्ति का स्रोत जिसे रोका नहीं जा सकता। इस के लिए और अंगेज़ी में शब्द आया है- Juggernaut. ये जगन्नाथ से गया है।
क्योंकि जब पुरी में जगन्नाथ जी यात्रा निकलती है और जो दृश्य होता है, उसमें जो शब्द वहां पहुंचा है। मैं एक बार Russia के उस क्षेत्र में गया जो हिंदूस्तान से सटा हुआ है। वहां के लोगों को tea शब्द पता नहीं है लेकिन चाय पता है। Door मालूम नहीं लेकिन द्वार पता है। कभी कभार ये भी अवसर होता है।
और मैं चाहूंगा कि ये जो हमारा विश्व हिंदी सचिवालय जो बन रहा है, वहां टेक्नॉलॉजी का भी भरपूर उपयोग हो। दूनिया की जितनी भाषाओं में हिंदी ने अपनी जगह बनाई है, किसी न किसी रूप में, पिछले दरवाजे से क्यों न हो, लेकिन पहूंच गई है, उसको भी कभी खोज कर निकालना चाहिए कि हम किस किस रूप में पहुंचे और क्यों स्वीकृति हो गई। विश्व की कई भाषाओं में हमारी भाषा के शब्द पहुंचे हैं। जब ये जानते हैं तो हमें गर्व होता है। ये अपने आप में एक राष्ट्रीय स्वाभिमान का कारण बन जाता है।
विश्व में फैले हुए हिंदी प्रेमियों के लिए ये आज के पल अत्यंत शुभ पल हैं। आज 12 मार्च है, जब मॉरीशस अपना राष्ट्रीय दिवस मना रहा है। मैं मॉरीशस के लिए सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों की सवा सौ करोड़ शुभकामनाएं ले करके आया हूं।
आज का वो दिन है, 12 मार्च,1930, जब महात्मा गांधी ने साबरमती के तट से दांडी यात्रा का आरंभ किया था। दांडी यात्रा भारत की आज़ादी के आंदोलन का एक turning point बनी थी। उसी साबरमती के तट से निकला था जिस साबरमती का पानी पीकर मुझे भी तो बड़े होने का सौभाग्य मिला है। आज उसी 12 मार्च को ये अवसर आया है। महात्मा गांधी मॉरीशस आए थे। महात्मा गांधी ने मॉरीशस को भरपूर प्यार दिया था। सौ साल पहल.. महात्मा गांधी से जिनको बहुत प्रेम रहता था, एसे मणिलाल डॉ.. सौ वर्ष पूर्व उन्होंने यहां पर हिंदी अख़बार शुरू किया था.. हिंदुस्तानी। उस अख़बार की यह विशेषता थी.. कि अभी भी जब कुछ लोग भाषाओं के झगड़े करते हैं, लेकिन उस डॉ मणिलाल ने महात्मा गांधी की प्रेरणा से रास्ता निकाला था। वो हिंदुस्तानी अखबार ऐसा था जिसमें कुछ पेज गुजराती में छपते थे, कुछ हिंदी में छपते थे और कुछ अंग्रेज़ी में छपते थे और एक प्रकार से three language formula वाला वो अख़बार सौ साल पहले निकलता था।
लेकिन वो हिंदुस्तानी अख़बार मॉरीशस के लोगों को जोड़ने का एक बहुत बड़ा माध्यम बना हुआ था। तो महात्मा गांधी के विचारों का प्रभाव उसमें अभिव्यक्त होता था। और स्वदेश प्रेम स्वदेशी भाषा से उजागर हो जाता है। अपनी भाषा से उजागर होता है। भाषा के बंधनों में बंधन वाले हम लोग नहीं हैं। हम तो वो लोग हैं जो सब भाषाओं के अपने गले लगाना चाहते हैं, क्योंकि वही तो समृद्धि का कारण बनता है। अगर अंग्रेजी ने जगन्नाथ को गले नहीं लगाया होता तो juggernaut शब्द पैदा नहीं होता। और इसलिए, भाषा की सम़द्धि भी बांधने से बंधती नहीं है। एक बगीचे से जब हवा चलती है तो हवा उसकी सुगंध को फैलाती जाती है। भाषा की भी वो ताकत होती है कि वो अपने प्रवाह के साथ सदियों तक नई चेतना, नई उर्जा, नया प्राण प्रसारित करती रहती है।
उस अर्थ में आज मेरे लिए बड़ा गर्व का विषय है कि मॉरीशस की धरती पर विश्व हिंदी सचिवालय के नए भवन का निर्माण हो रहा है। भाषा प्रेमियों के लिए, हिंदी भाषा प्रेमियों के लिए, भारत प्रेमियों के लिए, और महान विरासत जिस भाषा के भीतर नवपल्लवित होती रही है, उस महान विरासत के साथ विश्व को जोड़ने का जो प्रयास हो रहा है, उसको मैं बहुत बहुत शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। और इस अवसर पर मुझे आपके बीच आने का अवसर मिला उसके लिए मैं आपका बहुत आभारी हूं।
Namaskar. 2025 has just about arrived; it is knocking at the door. On the 26th of January 2025, our Constitution is completing 75 years. It is a matter of great honour for all of us. The Constitution, handed over to us by our Constitution makers, has stood the test of time in every sense of the term. The Constitution is our guiding light, our guide. It is on account of the Constitution of India that I am here today, being able to talk to you. This year, on Constitution Day, the 26th of November, many activities have commenced that will go on for a year. A special website named constitution75.com has also been created to connect the citizens of the country with the legacy of the Constitution. In this, you can read the Preamble of the Constitution and upload your video. You can read the Constitution in myriad languages; you can also ask questions pertaining to the Constitution. I urge the listeners of Mann Ki Baat, school going children, college going youth, to visit this website and become a part of it.
Friends,
The Maha Kumbh is also going to be held in Prayagraj from the 13th of next month. At this time, mammoth preparations are going on at the Sangam banks there. I remember, just a few days ago when I went to Prayagraj, my heart was filled with joy after viewing the entire Kumbh area from a helicopter. It’s so huge! So beautiful! Such grandeur!
Friends,
the specialty of the Maha Kumbh is not only in its vastness. The specialty of the Kumbh is also in its diversity. Crores of people congregate for this event. Lakhs of saints, thousands of traditions, hundreds of sects, many Akharas, everyone becomes a part of this event. There is no discrimination anywhere, no one is big, no one is small. Such a scene of unity in diversity will not be seen anywhere else in the world. Therefore, our Kumbh is also the Maha Kumbh of unity. This time's Maha Kumbh will also bolster the mantra of Maha Kumbh of unity. Let me tell all of you; when we participate in the Kumbh, let us bring along this resolve of unity with us. Let us also make a resolve to annihilate the feeling of division and hatred in the society. If I have to say it in a few words, then I will say... Mahakumbh Ka Sandesh, Ek Ho Poora Desh… The message of the Mahakumbh, let the whole country be united. and putting it in another way, I will express... Ganga Ki Aviral Dhara, Na Bante Samaj Hamara... Like the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga, let our society be undivided. Friends, this time in Prayagraj, devotees from the country and the world will also be witness to the digital Maha Kumbh.
With the help of digital navigation, you will be able to reach different ghats, temples, and akharas of sadhus. The same navigation system will also help you reach parking spaces. For the first time, an AI chatbot will be used in the Kumbh event. All kinds of information related to Kumbh will be available in 11 Indian languages through the AI chatbot. Anyone can ask for any kind of help through this chatbot, either by typing text or by speaking in. The entire Fair area is being covered with AI-powered cameras. If someone gets separated from one’s kith and kin during the Kumbh, these cameras will help in finding them. Devotees will also get the facility of a digital lost & found center. Devotees will also be provided information about government-approved tour packages, accommodation and homestay on their mobile phones. If you too go to the Mahakumbh, then avail of these facilities… and yes, do upload your selfie with #EktaKaMahakumbh.
Friends,
now in 'Mann Ki Baat' i.e. MKB, we will talk about KTB. Many of the elderly may not know about KTB. But just ask children, KTB is a superhit among them. KTB means Krish, Trish and Baltiboy. You might know that the favourite animation series of children is called KTB - Bharat Hain Hum and now its second season is also out. These three animation characters tell us about those heroes and bravehearts; men and women associated with the Indian freedom struggle who are not discussed much. Recently, its season-2 was launched in a very special way at the International Film Festival of India, Goa.
The best thing is that this series is broadcast not only in many Indian languages but also in foreign languages. It can be watched on Doordarshan as well as other OTT platforms.
Friends,
the popularity of our animation films, regular films, TV serials shows how much potential India's creative industry has. This industry is not only contributing to the country's progress but is also taking our economy to new heights. Our film and entertainment industry is very vast. Films are made in many languages of the country; creative content is produced. I also congratulate our film and entertainment industry because it has strengthened the sentiment of 'Ek Bharat - Shreshtha Bharat'.
Friends,
in the year 2024, we are celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of many great personalities of the film world. These personalities have accorded Indian cinema recognition at the world level. Raj Kapoor ji introduced the world to the soft power of India through films. Rafi sahab's voice had that magic which touched every heart. His voice was amazing. Be it devotional songs or romantic songs, sad songs, he brought every emotion alive with his voice. His greatness as an artiste can be gauged from the fact that even today the young generation listens to his songs with the same passion - this is the distinct mark of timeless art. Akkineni Nageswara Rao Garu has taken Telugu cinema to new heights. His films presented Indian traditions and values very well. Tapan Sinha ji's films gave a new vision to the society.
Their films always carried the message of social consciousness and national unity. The lives of these personalities are an inspiration for our entire film industry.
Friends,
I want to give you a piece of another good news. A great opportunity is on the way to showcase India's creative talent to the world. Next year, for the first time, the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit i.e. WAVES summit is going to be organised in our country. All of you must have heard about Davos, where the world's economic giants gather. Similarly, in the WAVES summit, giants from the media and entertainment industry and people from the creative world will come to India. This summit is an important step towards making India a hub of global content creation. I feel proud informing you that the young creators of our country are also joining with full enthusiasm in the preparations for this summit. When we are moving towards a 5 trillion dollar economy, our creator economy is bringing in a new energy.
I would urge the entire entertainment and creative industry of India - whether you are a young creator or an established artist, associated with Bollywood or regional cinema, a professional from the TV industry, an expert in animation, gaming or an innovator in entertainment technology - to be a part of the WAVES summit.
My dear countrymen,
all of you know how the radiance of Indian culture is spreading to every nook & corner of the world today. Today I will tell you about such efforts from three continents, which are witness to the global reach of our cultural heritage. All of them are miles apart from each other. But their eagerness to know India and learn from our culture is the same.
Friends,
the more the world of paintings is filled with colors, the more beautiful it is. Those of you who are connected to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ through TV can watch some paintings on TV right now. You will immensely like watching our Gods and Goddesses, dance forms and great personalities in these paintings. You will get to see many things,besides the flora and fauna found in India in these paintings. These include a splendid painting of Taj Mahal which has been made by a 13 year old girl. You will be surprised to know that this Divyang girl has made this painting with her mouth. The most interesting thing is that the people who made these paintings are not from India but are students from Egypt. Just a few weeks ago, around 23 thousand students from Egypt participated in a painting competition. There, they had to prepare paintings depicting Indian culture and the historical relations between the two countries. I appreciate all the youth who participated in this competition. No amount of praise for their creativity would be enough.
Friends,
there is a country in South America called Paraguay. The number of Indians living there would not be more than one thousand. A wonderful effort is being done in Paraguay. At the Indian Embassy there, Erica Huber offers Ayurved Consultation. These days, a large number of local people are reaching out to her to get Ayurved based advice. Erica Huber might have studied engineering, but her heart lies in Ayurveda. She did courses related to Ayurveda and over time, she became proficient in it.
Friends,
it is a matter of great pride for us that Tamil is the oldest language in the world and every Indian is proud of it. The number of people learning it is constantly rising in countries around the world. At the end of last month, a Tamil Teaching Programme was started in Fiji with the support of the Government of India. This is the first time in the last 80 years that trained Tamil teachers are teaching the language in Fiji. I am happy to know that today the students of Fiji are taking a lot of interest in learning the Tamil language and culture. Friends, these things, these incidents, are not just success stories. These are also the saga of our cultural heritage. These examples fill us up with pride. From Art to Ayurveda and from language to music, there is so much in India, which is making its mark in the world.
Friends,
in this winter season, several activities related to sports and fitness are being organised across the country. I am happy that people are making fitness a part of their daily routine.
From Skiing in Kashmir to kite flying in Gujarat, enthusiasm for sports can be seen everywhere. Campaigns like #SundayOnCycle and #CyclingTuesday are promoting cycling.
Friends,
I now want to tell you something unique which is a symbol of the changes taking place in our country and the zeal and enthusiasm of young friends. Do you know that a unique Olympic has started in our Bastar! Yes, a new revolution is coming into being in Bastar through the first Bastar Olympics. It is a matter of great joy for me that the dream of Bastar Olympics has come true. You will also be happy to know that this is taking place in the region which was once a witness to Maoist violence. The mascot of the Bastar Olympics is - ‘Wild Water Buffalo’ and ‘Hill Myna’. It reflects the rich culture of Bastar. The defining Mantra of this sports Mahakumbh is -
‘Karsay Ta Bastar Barsaye Ta Bastar’
i.e. ‘Bastar will play - Bastar will win’.
In the very first instance, one lakh 65 thousand players from 7 districts have participated in the Bastar Olympics. This is not just a statistic - it is the proud story of the resolve of our youth.
Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Karate, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Volleyball - our youth have gloriously displayed their talent in every sport. Kari Kashyap ji’s story inspires me a lot. Kari ji, who hails from a small village, has won a silver medal in archery.
She says - “Bastar Olympics has given us not just a playground but an opportunity to move ahead in life”. What Payal Kawasi ji from Sukma says is no less inspiring. Payal ji, who won a gold medal in Javelin Throw, says - “With discipline and hard work, no goal is impossible”. The story of Punem Sanna ji from Dornapal in Sukma is an inspiring tale of New India. Punem ji, who was once under Naxal influence, is today winning medals by racing on a wheelchair. His courage and zeal is an inspiration for everyone. Archer Ranju Sori from Kodagaon has been chosen as the ‘Bastar youth icon’. She believes that Bastar Olympics is giving the youth from remote areas an opportunity to reach the national stage.
Friends,
Bastar Olympics is not just a sports event. It is a platform where development and sports are merging together, where our youth are honing their talent and building a new Bharat. I urge all of you to:
- Encourage such sports events in your area - Share stories of sports talents from your area with #KhelegaBharat – JeetegaBharat - Give local sports talents an opportunity to progress
Remember, sports not only lead to physical development, but is also a powerful medium to connect society with the sportsman spirit. So play well and bloom well. My dear countrymen, two big achievements of India are attracting the attention of the world today. You will also feel proud to hear about them.
Both these successes have been achieved in the field of health. The first achievement has been in the fight against malaria. Malaria has been a big challenge confronting humanity for four thousand years. Even at the time of Independence, it was one of our biggest health challenges. Malaria ranks third among all infectious diseases that kill children between one month and five years of age. Today, I can say with satisfaction that the countrymen have collectively, strongly fought this challenge. The report of the World Health Organization - WHO mentions - “In India, there has been an 80 percent reduction in the number of malaria cases and deaths due to it between 2015 & 2023.“ This is no mean achievement. The most heartening thing is that this success has been achieved through everyone’s participation. Everyone from every corner of India, from every district, became a part of this campaign. In the tea gardens of Jorhat in Assam, malaria used to be a major cause of concern for people until four years ago.
But when the tea garden dwellers united to eradicate it, they started getting success to a great extent. In this effort, they have made full use of technology as well as social media. Similarly, Kurukshetra district of Haryana has presented a very good model for controlling malaria. Here, public participation for monitoring Malaria has been quite successful. Through street plays and radio, emphasis was laid on messages which helped a lot in reducing the breeding of mosquitoes. It is only through such efforts across the country that we have been able to take the war against malaria forward more rapidly.
Friends,
another example of what we can achieve with our awareness and determination is the fight against cancer. A study of the world-renowned Medical Journal Lancet indeed raises a lot of hope. According to this Journal, now the chances of starting cancer treatment on time in India have increased a lot. Timely treatment means starting the treatment of a cancer patient within 30 days and the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ has played a big role in this. Because of this scheme, 90 percent of cancer patients have been able to start their treatment on time. This has happened because earlier, due to lack of money, poor patients used to shy away from getting tested for cancer and its treatment. Now, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has become a big support for them. Now they are coming forward to get themselves treated. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana has reduced the financial problems in cancer treatment to a great extent.
It is equally good that today, people have become more aware than ever before about timely treatment of cancer. This achievement is as much of our healthcare system, doctors, nurses and technical staff as it is of all of you, my citizen brothers and sisters. With everyone's efforts, the resolve to defeat cancer has become even stronger. The credit for this success goes to all those who have contributed significantly in spreading awareness.
There is only one mantra to fight cancer - Awareness, Action and Assurance. Awareness means awareness of cancer and its symptoms, Action means timely diagnosis and treatment, Assurance means the belief that every help is available for patients. Come, let us together take this fight against cancer forward rapidly and help as many patients as possible.
My dear countrymen,
today I want to tell you about an effort in Kalahandi, Odisha, which is writing a new story of success despite a paucity of water and resources. This is the 'vegetable revolution' of Kalahandi. Where once farmers were forced to migrate; today, Golamunda block of Kalahandi has become a vegetable hub. How did this change come about? It started with a small group of just 10 farmers. This group together established an FPO - 'Kisan Utpad Sangh', started using modern technology in farming, and today their FPO is doing business worth crores. Today more than 200 farmers are associated with this FPO, including 45 women farmers.
Together, these people are cultivating tomatoes in 200 acres and bitter gourd in 150 acres. Now the annual turnover of this FPO has also risen to more than 1.5 crores. Today, vegetables from Kalahandi are reaching not only various districts of Odisha, but also other states, and the farmers there are now learning new techniques of potato and onion cultivation.
Friends,
this success of Kalahandi teaches us what all can be done with determination and collective effort. I urge all of you to:-
• Encourage FPO in your area • Join farmer producer organizations and strengthen them.
Remember - big changes are possible even through small beginnings. We just need determination and team spirit.
Friends,
in today's 'Mann Ki Baat' we heard how our India is moving ahead with unity in diversity. Be it the sports field or the field of science, health or education – India is touching new heights in every field. We have faced every challenge together like a family and achieved new successes. In the 116 episodes of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that commenced in 2014, I have seen that ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a living document of the collective power of the country.
All of you have welcomed this programme; made it your own. Every month you have shared your thoughts and efforts. Sometimes the idea of a young innovator has impressed me, and sometimes the achievement of a daughter has made me proud. It is the participation of all of you that brings together positive energy from every corner of the country. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a platform for the amplification of this positive energy, and now, 2025 is knocking at the door. In the coming year, we will share more inspiring efforts through ‘Mann Ki Baat’. I am confident that with positive thinking and spirit of innovation of the countrymen, India will touch new heights.
Keep sharing the unique efforts around you with #Mannkibaat. I know that in every Mann ki Baat next year, we will have a lot to share with each other. Best wishes to all of you for 2025. Stay healthy, stay happy, join the Fit India Movement, keep yourself fit. Keep progressing in life. Thank you very much.
Kids' favourite KTB - Krish, Trish and Baltiboy is back with Season 2. It celebrates the unsung heroes of India's freedom struggle.#MannKiBaatpic.twitter.com/LaJNd0Zmqf
