NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday kicked off his 115th ‘Mann ki Baat’ address to the nation by honoring two great heroes of the country — first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, both of whom the PM said shared a same vision for the “unity” of the nation.
PM Modi also announced that his government will celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda, adding that India faced some challenges in every era but had heroes like Sardar Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who had the courage and foresight to deal with them.
“The country has decided to celebrate their 150th birth anniversary. The 150th birth anniversary year of Sardar Patel will begin from 31st October. After this, from November 15, Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary year will begin. Both these great men had the same vision- the country’s unity,” PM Modi said in his opening remarks.
‘Digital arrest’ and three step mantra – ‘Stop, think, and take action’
The Prime Minister prominently touched upon scams consuming normal public in the digital space and raised awareness about the ways to increase digital security, offering a three step mantra to fight this menace -“stop, think, and take action”. PM Modi assured people that necessary actions are being taken by probe agencies, but said, “awareness is essential in protecting oneself from this scam of ‘digital arrest”.
“It is important for you to understand this. Step 1- Your personal information. They collect all your personal information. Step 2- Atmosphere of fear. Uniform, government office setup, legal sections. They will scare you so much that you won’t even be able to think. Step 3- The time pressure… These people create mental pressure,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also played a representative video to depict how criminals pose as probe agency officials to prey on people’s fear after gathering detailed information about their potential victims.
‘Made in India’ and ‘made by Indians’ shining bright
Another theme that featured centrally in his address was the emphasis on Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Touching upon the need to establish our country as a global powerhouse of innovation, PM Modi said “Make in India” also means “Make for the world”.
The Prime Minister also extended the principle of “Made in India” to the world of animation. PM Modi emphasised the growing global impact of “Made in India” and “Made by Indians” in the field of animation and urged youth to unleash their creativity in this booming sector. “India is on the way to bringing a revolution in the field of animation. India’s gaming space is also growing rapidly. Indian games are also becoming famous all over the world,” he said.
Prime Minister said becoming self-reliant is more of a passion than a policy for the country now, adding that India ranks high globally on manufacturing mobile phones, buyer of defence equipment and space, where it achieved the feat of becoming the first country to land near the moon’s south pole.
Further, the PM shared experiences from his trip to Laos that showed the depth of Indian history, where he said he was presented with “Phalak Phalam” – ‘Ramayana of Laos’. “There was the same devotion in their eyes, the same dedication in their voices, that we have for Ramayana,” he said.
Here are some top quotes from the PM’s address:
- In this festive season, let us all strengthen this campaign of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. We do our shopping with the mantra of Vocal for Local. This is the new India where Make in India has become Make for the World… We not only have to make India self-reliant but also establish our country as a global powerhouse of innovation
- Now the Self-reliant India campaign is becoming a mass movement. This month we inaugurated Asia’s largest ‘imaging telescope MACE’ in Hanle, Ladakh. It is located at an altitude of 4300 meters… In a place where the cold is less than -30 degrees, where there is even a lack of oxygen, our scientists and local industry have done what no other country in Asia has done. The Hanley telescope may be looking at a distant world, but it is also showing us the power of self-reliant India
- India’s animation studios are working with world-famous production companies. Today, our youths are creating original Indian content which h he saas a reflection of our culture. They are being watched worldwide. The animation sector has today taken a form of an industry that is giving strength to other industries. Like, VR (virtual reality) tourism today is getting famous
- Like Chhota Bheem, our other animated series Krishna, Motu-Patlu, Bal Hanuman also have fans all over the world. India’s animated characters and films are being liked all over the world due to their content and creativity… India is on the way to bringing a revolution in the field of animation. India’s gaming space is also growing rapidly. Indian games are also becoming famous all over the world
- Just 10 years ago, when if someone would have said that any complex technology was to be developed in India, many people would not believe it and many would ridicule it – but today those same people are astonished to see the success of the country.
- Once an importer of mobile phones, India has now become the second biggest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world. Once the biggest buyer of defence equipment, India today exports it to 85 countries. In space technology, India has become the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole.
- Under digital arrest fraud, callers portray themselves as police, CBI, or narcotics officials, and talk with a lot of confidence. Many audiences asked me to talk about this. It is important for you to understand this. Step 1- Your personal information. They collect all your personal information. Step 2- Atmosphere of fear. Uniform, government office setup, legal sections. They will scare you so much that you won’t even be able to think. Step 3- The time pressure… These people create mental pressure. Victims of digital arrest are from all sections and ages. Many people have lost lakhs of their hard-earned money
- I also went to Laos. It was the time of
Navratri and there I saw something amazing. Local artists were presenting “Phalak Phalam” – ‘Ramayana of Laos’. There was the same devotion in their eyes, the same dedication in their voices, that we have for Ramayana - Many of our school children are very interested in calligraphy. Through this, our handwriting remains clean, beautiful and attractive. Today it is being used in Jammu and Kashmir to popularise local culture.
Firdousa Bashir from Anantnag is skilled in calligraphy. Through this, she showcases various aspects of the local culture. Firdousa’s calligraphy has attracted the attention of local people, especially the youth