In his recent Mann Ki Baat radio address following the start of his third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for the immense faith shown by people in India’s Constitution and democratic process during what he described as the "world’s largest" election, where over 650 million voters participated. He extended thanks to the electorate, commended the Election Commission, and acknowledged everyone involved in the electoral process. In his nearly 30-minute broadcast, which resumed after a hiatus due to the elections, Modi touched upon various topics.
He notably cheered for Indian athletes gearing up for the upcoming Paris Olympics and encouraged citizens to support them using the hashtag “cheer4Bharat.” Reflecting on India’s performance in the previous Tokyo Olympics, Modi praised the dedication of the athletes currently preparing for Paris, highlighting their extensive participation in international competitions.
The Prime Minister highlighted achievements in sports like shooting and table tennis, where both men's and women's teams have qualified. He also noted the debut of Indian athletes in events like wrestling and horse riding at the Paris Olympics. Modi anticipated a heightened level of excitement and support from the nation, drawing parallels with India's success in the World Para Athletics Championship.
“If we take all the players together, then all of them have participated in nearly 900 international competitions. This is a very big number,” he said, adding that Indians will get to witness certain things for the first time.
“In shooting, the talent of our players is coming to the fore. Both men’s and women’s teams have qualified in table tennis. Our shooter daughters are also part of the Indian shotgun team. This time, members of our team will compete in wrestling and horse riding in those categories as well, in which they had never participated before,” he said.
“Our players have also won glorious laurels in chess and badminton. Now the whole country is hoping that our players perform well in the Olympics as well, winning medals in these games and also the hearts of the countrymen. In the coming days, I will also get an opportunity to meet the Indian team. I will encourage them on your behalf,” he said.
During the broadcast, Modi also spoke about the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' afforestation initiative launched on World Environment Day, emphasizing its rapid progress and societal impact. He paid homage to tribal freedom fighters Veer Sidhu and Kanhu, pioneers of the Santhal uprising against British rule, commemorating 'Hool Diwas' observed on June 30 by tribal communities.
Noting that he also planted a tree in memory of his mother, Modi said, “I am immensely happy to see that the campaign to plant trees in memory of the mother or in her honour is progressing rapidly.On social media, people are sharing pictures of planting trees with their mothers or with their photographs.”
Discussing cultural initiatives, Modi praised the craftsmanship of tribal women in Attappady, Kerala, who produce ‘Karthumbhi’ umbrellas now gaining international recognition. He underscored the significance of Sanskrit, acknowledging its profound historical role and encouraging its integration into contemporary daily life, stating, "The demand of today's times is that we should respect Sanskrit and also connect it with our daily life," and cited a Bengaluru park where locals convene weekly to converse in the language.
Modi congratulated All India Radio on the 50th anniversary of its Sanskrit bulletin, underscoring the language’s enduring contribution to India’s knowledge and scientific advancement. He called for greater reverence for Sanskrit and its practical application in modern contexts, saying, "Sanskrit has played a big role in the progress of Indian knowledge and science."
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