Advocates traditional summer drinks
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to take precautions against the ongoing heatwave across large parts of the country, advising them to stay hydrated and follow safety guidelines issued by authorities.
Addressing the 134th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM said rising temperatures and hot winds made it essential for people to take care of their health.
“It is very hot in most parts of the country right now. Keep drinking water and, if you have to go out in the sun, do so with caution. Do not forget the guidelines issued by government departments,” he said.
The Prime Minister also promoted traditional Indian summer beverages, describing them as time-tested remedies against the heat. He referred to drinks such as aam panna, lassi, buttermilk, sattu sherbet, kokum sherbet, sol kadhi, panakam, neer mor, sambaram and bael pana, saying they reflected India’s cultural diversity as well as indigenous knowledge.
During the programme, PM Modi lauded Indian athletes Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur for their record-breaking performances in the men’s 100-metre sprint at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi. Interacting with the athletes, he said their achievements had challenged long-standing perceptions about Indian sprinting and inspired a new generation of sportspersons.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the return of 24 Chola-era copper plates from the Netherlands, describing the development as a matter of national pride. He said the inscriptions offered valuable insights into the maritime strength, governance and cultural legacy of the Chola Empire.
Referring to recent archaeological discoveries, PM Modi said three rare copper plates dating back nearly 1,500 years had been unearthed in Chhattisgarh under the Gyan Bharatam Abhiyan, providing important information about ancient Indian governance and culture.
On environmental conservation, he praised efforts to rescue a Gangetic dolphin trapped in a canal in Uttar Pradesh, noting that India’s first Ganga dolphin rescue ambulance played a crucial role in saving the endangered aquatic mammal. He said protecting the dolphin was essential for preserving the biodiversity of the Ganga river system.
The Prime Minister also highlighted grassroots initiatives from across the country, including a swimming campaign in Kerala that has trained over 15,000 people, a river-cleaning drive led by youth in Uttar Pradesh, and a water-supply initiative undertaken by a retired teacher in Goa.
Encouraging scientific curiosity among young people, PM Modi urged students to join astronomy clubs and visit planetariums during their summer vacations, noting the growing popularity of astronomy and astrophysics across the country.
He also praised Chennai-based educator Girija Amma and her students for raising nearly ₹40 lakh through a one-rupee-a-day contribution campaign for the welfare of soldiers, calling it an inspiring example of patriotism and collective effort.
Concluding the programme, PM Modi urged citizens to recognise and support people engaged in community service, saying such initiatives reflected the strength of public participation in nation-building.
