New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of the year 2023 on Sunday. This is the 97th edition of the PM’s monthly radio programme.
Calling 2023 a year of ‘People’s Padma’, PM Modi said, “Sizeable number of Padma awardees come from tribal communities and people associated with tribal society. Tribal life is different from city life, it also has its own challenges. Despite all this, tribal societies are always eager to preserve their traditions.”
“Many great personalities who have worked on tribal languages like Toto, Ho, Kui, Kuvi and Manda, have received Padma awards. It is a matter of pride for all of us. People working with Siddi, Jarwa and Onge tribes have also been awarded this time,” the prime minister said during ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
He further said, “This year the echoes of the Padma awards are being heard even in those areas which used to be Naxalite affected. Those who show the right path to the misguided youths in the Naxalite affected areas by their efforts have been honored with the Padma awards.”
Talking about the eventful month of January, PM Modi said, “This month, around 14th of January, glitter of festivals abound across the country from north to south and from east to west.”
He also praised the Republic Day celebrations of this year.
The prime minister spoke about the importance of ‘millets’ and said 2023 will be the ‘International Year for Millets’. PM Modi mentioned the names of people from different states who have dedicated their professional lives to promoting ‘millet-made’ food.
“Have you ever heard the word Milletpreneurs? Odisha’s Milletpreneurs are making headlines. A women’s self-help group in the tribal district Sundargarh is associated with Odisha Millets Mission. They make biscuits, cakes and other eatables from millets,” PM Modi said during his monthly radio programme.
PM Modi said a revolution is underway in the health sector because of public participation in campaigns such as International Yoga Day and International Year of Millets.
“Just as people have made yoga and fitness a part of their lives by active participation, similarly they are also adopting millet on a large scale,” he said.
Drawing the attention of people towards the problem of e-waste, PM Modi said, “Proper disposal of e-waste can become a great force to build a circular economy. Today’s latest devices are also the e-waste of the future. Whenever someone buys a new device or replaces his old device, it becomes necessary to keep in mind whether it is discarded properly or not.”
“It was told in a United Nations report that 50 million tonnes of e-waste is being thrown away every year,” PM Modi further said.
He also hailed India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index and said India has improved and achieved a good rank.
In his last ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast of the year 2022, PM Modi asked people to be vigilant and take precautions against Covid-19, as he noted that the virus was spreading in many countries.
Lauding India for its fast-growing economy, the prime minister also said that the outgoing year, 2022, had been inspirational to India in many ways. “India carved out a special place for itself in the world with its incredible vaccination doses of over 220 crore and the country becoming the fifth largest global economy,” PM Modi during the 96th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
