In a touching display of empathy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative to shield a group of farmers with an umbrella during a rainy day in the national capital.
This warm gesture occurred during a meeting at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) on Sunday. The visuals from the event capture the PM holding the umbrella while the farmers gathered beneath it.
Despite the heavy rain that began as he approached the farmers, the Prime Minister remained committed to the interaction. Though officials suggested postponing the meeting, Modi was determined to proceed and even offered to hold the umbrella himself for the farmers.
Under the umbrella, the PM engaged in conversation with the farmers. He expressed his appreciation for their early arrival and discussed the introduction of new seed varieties. “I feel nice that you all came here early in the morning. Today farmers have got new varieties of seeds for the farmer. Do you wait for others to grow it first and if the crop did well, then plant it on your own farms? I would suggest first planting the new seeds in one part of the farm or small patches and if it does good, you can adopt it. You can yourself experiment with it,” he advised.
As the farmers listened attentively, Modi reflected on the evolution of the slogan, “We have heard Lal Bahadur Shastriji’s Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, then Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji added Jai Vigyaan to it. But now since the world is changing so I say it should be Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyaan, Jai Anusandhan.”
While continuing to hold the umbrella, the PM emphasized his commitment to his role. “I said that in my third term, I will work three times more, and this is what I am doing now… We bring implement research results on the ground.”
On that day, Prime Minister Modi also introduced 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties at the India Agricultural Research Institute. This collection included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops from a total of 61 crops.
The farmers expressed their delight and optimism about these new varieties. One woman farmer told IANS, “Previously, farmers used to grow coarse grains, but they had stopped doing so for some time. Now, new varieties have been launched. These coarse grains will be beneficial for us as they promise good returns and also require less intensive irrigation.”
She added that many women farmers shared their experiences and aspirations with the Prime Minister.
Another woman farmer expressed her joy at the opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister, noting that the new varieties with a 70-day growth cycle will simplify their work. “For the first time, we are seeing a Prime Minister who engages directly with the common people and listens personally to their concerns,” she said.
She further commented, “Today, the Prime Minister informed us about 109 varieties of crops. Coarse grains like bajra, jowar have a growth cycle of about 70 days. This will be helpful for us and also create fodder for our cattle.”
The farmers were visibly thrilled and enthusiastic about their meeting with the Prime Minister. Their excitement was evident in their remarks, with one stating, “If farmers prosper, the country will also prosper,” and another adding, “We are pleased to share our thoughts with PM Modi.”
Read also | PM Modi Assesses Wayanad Crisis; BJP Criticizes Rahul Gandhi for Political Exploitation
Read also | Mahesh Jethmalani Dismisses New Hindenburg Claims as 'Pathetic Damp Squib'
