Published By : Admin | September 11, 2015 | 18:47 IST
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I thank the people of Rishikesh to have joined the programme at such a short notice: PM
Our sole agenda is -development, progress of the nation and welfare of people: PM Modi
Congress' anti-poor mind-set and negative politics is responsible for their fall: PM
Congress has let down the spirit of democracy by not letting the Parliament function: PM
Govt at Centre is committed to timely delivery of all schemes: PM Narendra Modi
We successfully implemented 'One Rank, One Pension'. Dignity of our armed forces is our prime focus: PM
After their defeat in polls, Congress party has been putting roadblocks in development of the country: PM
भारत माता की जय, भारत माता की जय!
मंच पर विराजमान भाजपा के सभी वरिष्ठ नेतागण और विशाल संख्या में पधारे हुए प्यारे भाईयों और बहनों
चुनाव का बुखार चढ़ा हो, चारों तरफ चुनाव की धूम हो और पक्ष-विपक्ष में प्रचार अभियान तेज हो तो ऐसे समय गर्माए हुए माहौल में कोई 24 घंटे पहले सभा करने को कहे तो पार्टी के लोग कहेंगे कि कुछ दिन और दे दीजिए, अगले सप्ताह भेज दीजिए। आपने ये 24 घंटे में जो कमाल किया है... जहाँ भी नजर दौड़ रही है, माथे ही माथे नजर आ रहे हैं। जब मैं हेलिपैड से यहाँ आया तो पूरे रोड पर दोनों तरफ भीड़ लगी हुई थी। देवभूमि के मेरे प्यारे भाईयों-बहनों, प्रधानमंत्री बनने के बाद यह मेरी पहली यात्रा है और आपने जो स्वागत-सम्मान किया, जो प्यार दिया; वो मैं कभी भूल नहीं सकता। चुनाव में सभाएं होती हैं लेकिन ऐसे सहज वातावरण में इतना बड़ा जन सैलाब; मैं आप सभी लोगों एवं पार्टी के कार्यकर्ताओं और नेताओं को ह्रदय से अभिनंदन करता हूँ।
मैं आपको विश्वास दिलाता हूँ कि देश के विकास के लिए कार्य करने में कोई कोर-कसर नहीं रहेगी। सवा साल के कार्यकाल में आपने देखा होगा... मैंने देशवासियों से कहा था कि मैं परिश्रम की पराकाष्ठ करूँगा। अब तो मेरी बात का विश्वास है? पल-पल आपके लिए खपा रहा हूँ? जिम्मेवारी निभाने का पूरा प्रयास कर रहा हूँ? मैंने वादा किया था कि मैं चैन से नहीं बैठूँगा। आज मैं पांच राज्यों की यात्रा करके आया हूँ। सरकार में जनता का विश्वास है, आज मैं देख रहा हूँ। आज जन-मन इतना बदला है कि मैं एक इच्छा करूँ तो मेरे देशवासी पूरी ताकत लगाकर उसे पूरी कर देते हैं।
कुछ पहले तक यह स्थिति थी कि बालिकाएं तीसरी-चौथी कक्षाओं तक आते-आते स्कूल छोड़ देती थीं और अगर हमारी बालिकाएं अशिक्षित रहेंगी तो हमारी आने वाली पीढ़ियाँ अशिक्षित रहेंगी। हमारी बेटियां पढ़नी चाहिए। हमारे ध्यान में आया कि बेटियां स्कूल इसलिए छोड़ देती हैं क्योंकि स्कूलों में उनके लिए अलग से शौचालय नहीं हैं। ये शर्म की बात है कि नहीं है? हमें आजादी को मिले 65 साल से भी ज्यादा समय हो गया लेकिन बालिकाओं के लिए स्कूलों में अलग से शौचालय नहीं बने। हमने निर्णय किया कि हम इस काम को 1 साल में पूरा करेंगे। लोग कहते थे कि मोदी जी जो 60 साल में नहीं हुआ, वो 1 साल में कैसे होगा। मैंने कहा कि ये मैं नहीं बल्कि मेरे देशवासी पूरा करेंगे और आज मैं गर्व से कहता हूँ कि करीब-करीब सवा चार लाख शौचालय बनाने का काम एक साल के भीतर-भीतर हमने पूरा किया।
बैंकों का जब राष्ट्रीयकरण हुआ तो यह कहा गया था कि बैंकों का राष्ट्रीयकरण इसलिए किया जाता है ताकि बैंक गरीबों के काम आए और गरीब बैंकों के दरवाजे पर जा सके लेकिन आजादी के इतने वर्षों बाद भी यहाँ की आधी आबादी ऐसी थी जिसने कभी बैंक का दरवाजा नहीं देखा। हमने निर्णय किया कि बैंकों के पैसों पर अगर पहला किसी का अधिकार है तो देश के गरीबों, किसानों, नौजवानों और देश की माता-बहनों का है। हमने प्रधानमंत्री जन-धन योजना शुरू की। 26 जनवरी के पहले काम पूरा करने का निर्णय किया और आज मुझे आपको हिसाब देते हुए गर्व होता है कि 100 दिन के भीतर पूरे देश में आंदोलन चल पड़ा और करीब 17 करोड़ जन-धन खाते खुले।
मैं जब गुजरात में मुख्यमंत्री था; नया-नया था तो अनुभव भी कम था; विधानसभा में हमने घोषणा की कि हम 24 घंटे बिजली देंगे। गुजरात में उस समय 24 घंटे बिजली नहीं आती थी। हमने जब घोषणा की तो कांग्रेस के एक वरिष्ठ नेता हमसे मिलने आये। उन्होंने कहा कि मोदी जी आपसे कोई गलती हो गई है। मैंने उनसे पूछा – कौन सा? उन्होंने कहा कि आप नए आए हो; किसी ने आपको गुमराह किया है या आपने गलत हाथ पकड़ लिया है। मैंने कहा – कौन सी? उन्होंने कहा, 24 घंटे बिजली देने की जोकि संभव ही नहीं है; आप विफल हो जाओगे और अभी तो आपकी शुरुआत है; आपकी राजनीति ख़त्म हो जाएगी; आपको किसी ने गलत सलाह दी है। मैंने कहा, नेताजी आपने मुझे जो मार्गदर्शन दिया, मैं उसका बहुत आभारी हूँ। वे राजनीति करने नहीं आये थे। ईमानदारी से मेरे कमरे में आकर मुझे कान में बता रहे थे। मैंने उनसे कहा कि हाँ, 24 घंटे बिजली पहुँचाना काम कठिन तो है लेकिन मुझे ऐसा लगता है कि लोगों ने कठिन काम के लिए मुझे यहाँ भेजा है।
भाईयों-बहनों, मैं आज देश के लिए सपना देख रहा हूँ कि 2022 में आजादी के 75 साल पूरे होने पर जब हम आजादी के वीरों को याद करेंगे तो हम उन्हें ऐसा हिन्दुस्तान देना चाहते हैं जहाँ घरों में 24 घंटे बिजली आती हो। भाईयों-बहनों, हमने ठान लिया है कि 2022 में दूर पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों में भी रहने वाले लोगों को भी हम 24 घंटे बिजली मुहैया कराएंगे। इस काम को करने के लिए जब मैं मीटिंग करता हूँ तो मुझे पता चला कि अभी भी हमारे देश में 18 हजार गाँव ऐसे हैं जहाँ न बिजली का खंभा पहुंचा है और न बिजली की तार पहुंची है और ये संख्या कम नहीं है। सबने कहा कि ये लगेगा, वो लगेगा; मैंने कहा, कुछ नहीं, जो होना है, होगा; जो करना है, कीजिये; मैं एक ही भाषा समझता हूँ कि 1000 दिन में 18 हजार गांवों में मुझे बिजली पहुंचानी है। आज मैं इस पूरे काम को मॉनिटर कर रहा हूँ कि काम शुरू हुआ है कि नहीं; तारें पहुंची कि नहीं। हर बात के पीछे सरकार एक समयबद्ध कार्यक्रम लेकर चल रही है और उस काम को आगे बढ़ाने की दिशा में हम तैयारी कर रहे हैं।
मैं चुनाव में जब आया था तो उत्तराखंड की धरती जहाँ परमात्मा हमारी रक्षा करता है और यहाँ नीचे जवान हमारी रक्षा करते हैं; ऊपर में बाबा केदारनाथ, बाबा बद्रीनाथ का हमें आशीर्वाद मिलता है और नीचे... यहाँ शायद ही कोई घर होगा जिसमें कोई जवान नहीं हो और जो देश की सेवा में जुटा न हो।
मैं उत्तराखंड में जब चुनावी सभाओं में आता था तो ‘वन रैंक, वन पेंशन’ की बात करता था। कांग्रेस ने इसके लिए 500 करोड़ का बजट रखा था जिसपर वे खूब वाहवाही लूटते थे। हमारे कुछ जवान भी उनकी जय-जयकार करने लग गए थे कि ‘वन रैंक, वन पेंशन’ के लिए इतना बजट हो गया। मैंने सोचा कि इससे थोड़ा ज्यादा खर्चा हो जाएगा, 1000 करोड़ या 1500 करोड़। फिर कमिटी ने कहा कि 265 करोड़ और लगेंगे, मैंने कहा ठीक है लेकिन जब हिसाब करने बैठे तो मामला 10 हजार करोड़ तक पहुँच गया। भारत जैसे देश के लिए 10 हजार करोड़ कोई मामूली रकम नहीं है। ये बहुत बड़ी रकम है लेकिन हमारे जवानों का सम्मान उससे भी बड़ा है। इसलिए हमने निर्णय किया है हमारे देश के जवानों को इसका लाभ मिले लेकिन अभी भी जिन लोगों को लगता था कि ये तो कभी होने वाला नहीं है और उन्हें पता भी था कि इतना खर्च होगा, उन्हें आंदोलन चलाने में अभी भी मजा आता है, वे अभी भी आंदोलन चला रहे हैं।
देश में नकारात्मक राजनीति कभी चल नहीं सकती। ये कांग्रेस का फार्मूला है और इसलिए कभी 400 सांसदों वाली कांग्रेस आज 40 पर सिमट गई है और ये इसलिए हो रहा है क्योंकि वे नकारात्मक राजनीति पर तुले हुए हैं और हर बात का विरोध करते हैं। लोकतंत्र में विरोधी दल का काम है – विरोध करना लेकिन नकारात्मक राजनीति और विरोध करने में बहुत बड़ा अंतर है। संसद चलने नहीं दी; उत्तराखंड के विषयों की चर्चा होनी चाहिए जो उन्होंने होने नहीं दी। आपने इतने सांसद चुन करके भेजे लेकिन संसद के अंदर उन्हें बोलने का अवसर नहीं दिया गया। क्या ये नकारात्मक राजनीति लोकतंत्र का भला करेगी? संसद चलनी चाहिए कि नहीं चलनी चाहिए? मान हो, मदद हो, सम्मान हो, यही तो लोकतंत्र का धर्म है लेकिन देश का दुर्भाग्य देखिये, इतने साल जो सत्ता में रहे, उनको विरोध करना, विरोध में बैठना रास नहीं आ रहा। वो जैसे थे, वैसे ही हैं। उन्हें लगता है कि ये तो उनकी पारिवारिक संपत्ति है, पीढ़ी-दर-पीढ़ी उन्हें ही मिलनी चाहिए; उनसे कौन छीन सकता है, वो भी मोदी, चायवाला, एक गरीब का बेटा। उनकी गरीब-विरोधी और सामंतशाही मानसिकता नहीं चलेगी।
देश में पूर्ण बहुमत वाली सरकार आई है; जनता-जनार्दन के आशीर्वाद से आई है। हम यहाँ किसी का हक़ छीन करके नहीं आए हैं। हमारा दायित्व बनता है – जनता की आशा-आकांक्षाओं को पूरा करना और ईश्वर ने जितनी शक्ति और सामर्थ्य दिया है, उसका प्रयोग करते हुए देश का भला करना लेकिन कांग्रेस वाले समझें कि नकारात्मक राजनीति का परिणाम क्या होता है। जिस कांग्रेस पार्टी का पंचायत से लेकर संसद तक झंडा झुकता नहीं था, वो आज नजर नहीं आते हैं। अभी पार्लियामेंट में इतना तूफ़ान किया; संसद चलने नहीं दी; जितनी प्रकार की गालियां मुझे दे सकते थे, सारी दे दी। रोज डिक्शनरी लेकर बैठते हैं कि आज कौन सी गाली दूं। इतना सारा करने के बावजूद अभी मध्यप्रदेश में स्थानीय निकाय के चुनाव हुए थे; उसमें क्या हुआ, ख़त्म हो गए न। अभी राजस्थान में स्थानीय निकाय के चुनाव हुए; क्या हुआ कांग्रेस का, लोगों ने ख़त्म कर दिया न। उसी तरह बंगलौर में भी उनका यही हाल हुआ।
कांग्रेस अपने वरिष्ठ नेताओं से कुछ सीखें। चुनाव में जय-पराजय तो होती रहती है। हमारी भी हुई थी; हम तो कभी पार्लियामेंट में 2 ही लोग थे; अटल जी समेत सब हार गए थे लेकिन हमने जनता का विश्वास जीतने के लिए मेहनत की। हम जनता के सवालों को लेकर चलते रहे और कभी नकारात्मक राजनीति नहीं की और यही जनता-जनार्दन है जिसने हमें सर-आँखों पर बिठा दिया।
मेरे भाईयों-बहनों, हमारा एक ही मकसद है – विकास। देश का कल्याण करना हो या नौजवानों को रोजगार दिलाना हो, विकास के बिना संभव नहीं है। ये लोग विकास के हर रास्ते में आड़े आ रहे हैं और उनका इरादा देश की प्रगति को रोकना है। भाजपा को नहीं रोक पाए तो अब देश को रोक रहे हैं। चुनाव में जनता ने उन्हें हरा दिया तो अब वे जनता से बदला लेने, उन्हें सजा देने और उनके कामों को रोकने पर तुले हुए हैं। मुझे विश्वास है कि देश की जनता नकारात्मक राजनीति करने वालों को पहचानेगी, उन्हें आगे आने वाले दिनों में भी सबक सिखाने का कोई मौका नहीं छोड़ेगी। आप लोगों ने इतना स्वागत और सम्मान किया, मैं आपका बहुत आभारी हूँ।
भारत माता की जय, भारत माता की जय, भारत माता की जय!
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.
On 12th January next year, we will mark Swami Vivekananda's 162nd Jayanti. This time it will be celebrated in a very special way. #MannKiBaatpic.twitter.com/TbumRi0Ta6
Let's celebrate the inspiring stories of Indian diaspora who made their mark globally, contributed to freedom struggles and preserved our heritage. Share such stories on the NaMo App or MyGov using #IndianDiasporaStories.#MannKiBaatpic.twitter.com/SHUXii9ln6
Numerous Indian families have been living in Oman for many centuries. Most of them who have settled there are from Kutch in Gujarat.
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… pic.twitter.com/EoaXuCVe2h
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.
Now this initiative is reaching other countries of the world as well. During my recent visit to Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali,… pic.twitter.com/g47I055ASN
