Says ‘har ghar Tiranga abhiyaan’ became ‘har mann Tiranga’
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is fully prepared for the G-20 presidency and “our presidency of the G20 is people’s presidency.”
He also announced that August 29 will be celebrated as Telugu Language Day, just months ahead of assembly elections in Telangana.
Addressing his 104th episode of the monthly broadcast of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and discussing the upcoming event G-20 Summit, Modi said that India is fully prepared for the G-20 Leaders’ Summit next month.
The Prime Minister said that heads of 40 countries and many global organisations are coming to the national capital to participate in the event.
“This will be the biggest participation ever in the history of the G-20 Summit. During its presidency, India has made G-20 a more Inclusive Forum. The African Union also joined the G-20 on the invitation of India and the voice of the people of Africa reached this important platform of the World,” Modi said.
Modi said that since India took over the Presidency of the G-20 in Bali last year, so much has happened that fills India with pride.
“Moving away from the tradition of big events in Delhi. We took it to different cities in the country. About 200 meetings related to this were organised in 60 cities of the country,” Modi said.
He said, “Wherever the G-20 delegates went, people warmly welcomed them. The delegates were very impressed by seeing the diversity of our country and our vibrant democracy. They also realised that there are so many possibilities in India.”
Modi said, “Our Presidency of the G-20 is a People’s Presidency. The spirit of public participation is at the forefront.”
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. The group comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.
The member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
Modi also announced that August 29 will be celebrated as Telugu Language Day.
“Our mother tongue is a very powerful medium to connect with our culture, our tradition. Similarly, India has another mother tongue, the glorious Telugu language. 29 August will be celebrated as Telugu Day. Wish you all a very Happy Telugu Day,” he said.
The Prime Minister also congratulated Indian players for winning 26 medals in World University Games.
He said, “Today I want to talk about a tournament where our players have made the country proud. In China we had World University Games where Indian players have won a total of 26 medals.
He also spoke to players, who participated in the games.
He also extended his greetings on the upcoming occasion of Raksha Bandhan to the nation, during his Mann Ki Baat address.
Asserting that Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages of the world, Modi said that it is also called the mother of many modern languages.
“Today, the awareness and sense of pride in Sanskrit has increased among the people. There is also a special contribution of the country in the past years behind this,” he said.
Emphasising on dairy, Modi said, “Today there are many people who are diversifying by adopting dairy. You must also know about Amanpreet Singh, who is running a dairy farm in Kota, Rajasthan. Along with dairy, he also focused on Biogas and set up two biogas plants.”
Modi hailed the people for participating in the government’s initiative of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga abhiyaan’ and said due to the efforts of people it became ‘Har Mann Tiranga abhiyaan’.
The Prime Minister said that on August 15, the country saw the power of ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort). “The efforts of all the countrymen turned the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ into a ‘Har Mann Tiranga Abhiyan’. Many records were also made during this campaign. The countrymen purchased Tricolours in crores,” he said.
PM Modi said that around 1.5 crore Tricolours were sold through 1.5 lakh post offices.
“Through that, our workers, weavers, and especially women have also earned crores of rupees. This time the countrymen have created a new record in posting selfies with the Tricolour. Last year till August 15, about five crore countrymen had posted selfies with the Tricolour. This year this number has also crossed 10 crore,” Modi said.
Talking about other campaigns, PM Modi said that to evoke the spirit of patriotism ‘Meri Mati, Mera Desh’ is in full swing in the country.
“In the month of September, there will be a campaign to collect soil from every house in every village of the country. The holy soil of the country will be deposited in thousands of Amrit Kalash,” he said.
“At the end of October, thousands will reach the country’s capital Delhi with the Amrit Kalash Yatra. Amrit Vatika will be built in Delhi from this soil only. I am sure, the efforts of every countryman will make this campaign successful,” the PM further said.
Discussing the potential of the young generation of the county, the Prime Minister said that sports is one area where youth are continuously achieving new successes.
He also congratulated the players for winning 26 medals in the World University Games held in China.
He said, “India displayed their best ever performance in these games. Our players have won 26 medals in all, out of which 11 were Gold Medals. The country will be pleased to know that even if we add all the medals won in all the World University Games that have been held since 1959, this number reaches only 18. In all these decades just 18 whereas, this time our players have won 26 medals,” Modi said.
During the podcast, Prime Minister Modi also talked with some of the players who have won medals in the World University Games.
PM Modi interacted with a player from Uttar Pradesh named Pragati, who has won a medal in Archery, Assam’s Amlan, won a medal in Athletics, Priyanka, also from Uttar Pradesh, who won a medal in Race Walk and Abhidnya, a resident of Maharashtra, who won a medal in shooting.
While interacting with the Prime Minister, Pragati said, “I was feeling very proud, I was feeling so good that I had returned with my country’s flag hoisted so high… it is okay that once I had reached the Gold Fight, I had lost it and was regretting it. But the second time it was in my mind that if something happens now, I will not let it lower down. It has to flutter the highest in any situation. When we won the fight at the end, we celebrated very well on the same podium. That moment was very good. I was feeling so proud that I could not measure the feeling.” (IANS)
